Comandante Armando Tola International Airport: where to stay, areas…

The Comandante Armando Tola airport is about 20 km from the small centre of El Calafate, connected only by shared shuttles and taxis, with no urban bus lines: it usually takes 20-25 minutes. Here you still sleep in town, because the Perito Moreno glacier remains about 80 km away, too far to spend the night there. Within El Calafate the choice is between the central core, a few steps from the lakefront and the restaurants on Avenida del Libertador, and the hotels on the hill at the edge of town, with views over Lake Argentino but needing a shuttle to reach the centre.

El Calafate

City centre · There are no scheduled buses from the airport: you arrive by shared shuttles timed to flight arrivals or by taxi, in about 20-25 minutes for the roughly 20 km to town.

Best for: Those visiting the Perito Moreno glacier as a day trip and spending the night in town, the only sensible option given the distance from the park.

Pros

The central core on Avenida del Libertador is explored on foot, among restaurants and shops
The hotels on the hill offer views over Lake Argentino with a short internal shuttle

Cons

The Perito Moreno glacier remains about 80 km away, a half-day excursion regardless of the hotel chosen
The hotels on the hill require the hotel shuttle to reach the restaurants and shops downtown

Recommended hotels in this area

Esplendor by Wyndham El Calafate: On Av. Juan Domingo Perón, in the heart of town, a few minutes on foot from Avenida del Libertador and about 23 minutes by car from the airport; a boutique hotel with indoor pool and spa.
Alto Calafate Hotel: On a hill about 3 km from the town centre, with views over Lake Argentino and cerro Calafate from the spa's panoramic windows; reaching the centre on foot requires the hotel shuttle.
America Del Sur Calafate Hostel: Hostel with lake views from the common room, near the town's bus terminal: breakfast included and shared relaxation area.

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