El Chaltén, our way
We live here. This is what we would tell a friend arriving in town.
Before you head out
- Que RikaGüemes 120 · Av. San Martín 91The usual bakery to pack your lunch: sandwiches, empanadas and pastries. Go early, it sells out.
- PAISA High Mountain CoffeeRicardo Arbilla 86Specialty coffee to start the day.
- El Rincón de MamáMc Leod 45Take-away home cooking for the trail.
When you are back
- Restaurante de El PumaLionel Terray 145Gourmet dinners with seasonal Patagonian produce and Argentine wines. They also pack box lunches for the trail.
- La Cervecería ChalténAv. San Martín 320The town’s historic brewery, in a log cabin: unfiltered pilsner and locro stew.
- Glaciares, gin del puebloDestilería GlaciaresA London Dry gin distilled in El Chaltén with water from the De las Vueltas river. Ask us where to find it.
- La TaperaJosé Antonio Rojo 50Home-style Patagonian cooking: trout, lamb, stews. There is usually a queue.
- The AsadoresRicardo Arbilla 101For a special night: a tasting menu off the grill. Dinner only, book ahead.
Where to stay
- Hostería El PumaLionel Terray 145Twelve rooms and five suites steps from the centre, with a wood fire and homemade breakfast. It opened in 1997 as a three-room refuge.
Rest day or rainy day
- Chorrillo del SaltoRuta 41, a 3 o 4 km al norteA waterfall over 20 m high, an easy flat walk from town. Access is now paid online.
- Miradores de los Cóndores y las ÁguilasDesde el Centro de VisitantesTwo hours there and back. One looks over town and Fitz Roy, the other over Lago Viedma. Lovely at sunset.
- Lago del Desierto37 km al norte por la Ruta 41Gravel road, forest and a boat trip. A long half day.
Worth knowing
- EfectivoBanco Santa CruzThere is a single ATM, with a low withdrawal limit. Bring pesos from Buenos Aires or El Calafate.
- SeñalThere is 4G in town; on the trails there is almost none.
- Entrada al ParqueTarifas desde el 1/6/2026The National Park trails charge an entrance fee (QR or card, no cash); a second day within 72 h is half price.
- Micros a El Calafate≈ 2 h 40 minSeveral daily buses (Chaltén Travel, Caltur, Taqsa).