When to go to El Calafate?
Perito Moreno is the reason to come: a wall of blue ice that cracks and drops into the lake while you stand on the walkways opposite. El Calafate itself is the base for the rest of Los Glaciares, with the Glaciarium explaining what you have just watched. The Patagonian wind does the rest, and the estancias nearby serve lamb cooked slowly over an open fire.
Book your activities
The best time to go
For the best weather in El Calafate, aim for January to February, September to December.
See also: Where to go in January? · Where to go in February? · Where to go in September? · Where to go in October?
Month-by-month weather in El Calafate
| Month | ☀️ h/day | 🌧️ mm | 🌡️ °C | Score /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.6 | 31 | 14 | 76 |
| February | 11.5 | 38 | 13 | 73 |
| March | 9.4 | 59 | 10 | 63 |
| April | 8.1 | 47 | 7 | 61 |
| May | 6.4 | 36 | 4 | 57 |
| June | 4.9 | 45 | 2 | 51 |
| July | 5.7 | 66 | 1 | 53 |
| August | 6.8 | 58 | 2 | 55 |
| September | 9.5 | 52 | 3 | 65 |
| October | 11.7 | 47 | 7 | 72 |
| November | 13.5 | 23 | 10 | 75 |
| December | 13.7 | 21 | 12 | 76 |
Estimated from 3 years of data. The score (0–100) combines sunshine, dry weather, clear skies and temperature.
The climate in brief
In El Calafate, the sunniest month is December, and the driest is December (about 21 mm). Temperatures peak in January (about 14°C). Over the year, an average of 522 mm of rain falls, and 6 months in 12 offer ideal weather for a trip.
What to do in El Calafate?
- Perito Moreno glacier
- Los Glaciares National Park (UNESCO)
- Glaciarium (ice museum)
- Patagonian estancias (day trips)
Practical info
- Country: Argentina
Destinations near El Calafate
Browse by destination
Got a city in mind? Its own page has the answer: when to go, month-by-month weather and what to do there. See all destinations →