Town in Santa Cruz, Argentina
El Calafate for solo travelers
Is El Calafate good for solo travel?
Small Patagonian town and base for Perito Moreno Glacier and the Los Glaciares park. Good for 2–4 night stays, lake views and day trips; expensive for Argentina, windy and very quiet in winter.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Solo women | Excellent for solo women. Take normal care on empty roads and with strangers offering rides to trailheads. |
How to meet people in El Calafate
Hostels run asados and group trips to the glacier; day tours, boat trips to Upsala glacier, and bus rides to El Chaltén are easy ways to meet people.
Good things to do alone
- Walk the Perito Moreno boardwalks early morning
- Take a boat to Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers
- Visit Laguna Nimez bird reserve
- Try a mini-trekking glacier hike with a guide
- Dinner on Libertador with local lamb
Where to stay in El Calafate
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Centro (Avenida Libertador) | Hotels, restaurants and tour offices within walking distance |
| Costanera area (Lago Argentino) | Quieter stays near the lake and bird reserve |
| Hills near the old town | Cabins and long stays with views; need a short walk |
Solo travel across Argentina
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| El Chaltén | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Mendoza | 4/5 | Limited |
| Bariloche | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| El Calafate | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ushuaia | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Salta | 4/5 | Limited |
| Puerto Iguazú | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Córdoba | 4/5 | Limited |
| Puerto Madryn | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Quebrada de Humahuaca | 4/5 | Limited |
| Cafayate | 4/5 | Limited |
| Rosario | 4/5 | Limited |
| Mar del Plata | 3/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is El Calafate good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Small Patagonian town and base for Perito Moreno Glacier and the Los Glaciares park.
How do you meet people in El Calafate?
Hostels run asados and group trips to the glacier; day tours, boat trips to Upsala glacier, and bus rides to El Chaltén are easy ways to meet people. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in El Calafate?
Common in tourist areas.
Is El Calafate safe for solo female travelers?
Excellent for solo women. Take normal care on empty roads and with strangers offering rides to trailheads.
More about El Calafate
Going to El Calafate solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in El Calafate meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.