How to Visit Perito Moreno Glacier in Patagonia

Perito Moreno Glacier, a massive ice formation in Argentina’s Patagonia region. It’s a sight to behold with towering walls of ice reaching heights of over 60 meters, and its constantly calving icebergs create a spectacle that is a sight to behold.

Information at a glance

Location: Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina
Entry Cost: 10,000 ARS (Cash only)
Bus Tickets: Marga Tasqa at El Calafate bus terminal
Where To Stay: El Calafate
Best Time To Visit: Summer (December-February)

Where is the Perito Moreno Glacier

The Perito Moreno Glacier is located in the Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina’s Patagonia region, about 65km west from El Calafate.

How to get there

The most common way to reach Perito Moreno Glacier is from El Calafate, a small town that serves as the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. From El Calafate you have 3 options on how to visit the glacier.

Hire a car – Hiring a car gives you the most freedom but is more expensive

Take a guided tour – In El Calafate their are endless options for guided tour packages to Perito Moreno Glacier. You can book tours that includes boat tour and ice walking.

Take a bus – You can catch a bus from the El Calafate bus station. The buses run twice a day once in the morning and afternoon giving you 4 hours to enjoy the glacier. We bought the tickets from the Marga Taqsa ticket office.

TRAVEL TIP: Make sure you bring cash with you on the bus as the bus will stop at the park entrance where a ranger will board to take the park entrance fee. This is cash only as they do not accept card payment.

When is the best time to visit

The best time to visit Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina depends on your preferences for weather, crowds, and activities:
Summer (December–February): The peak tourist season, with pleasant temperatures between 4 °C (39 °F) – 16 °C (61 °F). However, it’s also the most crowded time, with higher prices.
Spring and autumn: Milder weather, with temperatures between -2 °C (28 °F) – 13 °C (55 °F). It’s a good time for hiking and exploring the glacier, and you might see ice calving events.
Low season (May–August): Colder temperatures with temperatures between -5 °C (23 °F) – 4 °C (39 °F). Fewer crowds and lower accommodation prices. Other hiking activities in Patagonia may not be available.

Our Verdict: Summer is the best time to visit with more comfortable weather and more chance of seeing calving events. You will have to deal with more crowds but it will be worth it.

Ways to explore the Perito Moreno Glacier

Paseos: Walkways that lead to viewpoints that allow you to see the glacier from every angle.
Boat: Take a boat tour and see the glacier up close and come face to face with it’s tall icy walls
Ice Walk: Get the experience of a lifetime and walk on the glacier.

Where to stay

El Calefate is the closest town and has plenty of accommodation, restaurants and other activities on offer.

Fun Fact: The Perito Moreno Glacier is 250 km2 in size, 30 km in length and can be up to 170m thick!

What to pack

You should bring warm clothes and a raincoat because the weather in Patagonia can be unpredictable. You will be out there for most of the day so bring along water, some lunch and snacks. You can also buy food and drink out there if you don’t fancy bringing any along.

Our Experience

This is one of the most touristy places to visit in Patagonia as it’s so accessible so expect loads of people, but on the other hand it’s one of the most beautiful. We really enjoyed walking the Paseos and seeing the glacier from every angle and coming face to face with it’s crackling towering walls! We were also lucky enough to see a couple of calving events that really made our day. Perito Moreno is a worthy bucket list destination and should definitely be on every Patagonia itinerary.