Argentina Southern Patagonia - Intro and Budget

Have you ever been to the outdoor adventurers' heaven in South America? Have you ever explored to the southernmost city of planet Earth and share the moments with wild penguins?

Here is where to go - Argentina Southern Patagonia

Laguna de los Tres

A quick snap shot of the trip

7-day solo trip end of February (late summer of Argentina Southern Patagonia)



Cities visited and stayed: El Calafate (2 days), El Chalten (1 day), Ushuaia (3 days), Buenos Aires (6-hours layover)
See additional details at Argentina Southern Patagonia - City Overview

Geographic locations of the cities visited

Estimated Cost per Person (in USD) ~ $2500 (Cost based on exchange rate of 1USD:15 Peso)

• International & domestic flights: $1,200
• Flights found on Kayak.com
• JFK - EZE - BRC - FTE via Aerolineas Argentinas
• FTE - USH via LAN
• USH - EZE - JFK via Aerolineas Argentinas
• Argentina Entree Fee / Reciprocity Fee: $160
• One-time fee valid for 10 years
• Required for US citizen. Please check requirements for your country 
• Lodging: $350
• Two nights at El Calafate - America del Sur hostel (Shared room)
• One night at El Chalten - Rancho Grande (Single room)
• Three nights at Ushuaia - Casa Los Tulipanes Ushuaia (Single room in a family house)

Street view of Ushuaia

• Tours: $400
• Tierra del Fuego NP entrance fee at Ushuaia
• Trekking and Canoeing at Tierra Del Fugeo, Ushuaia with Canal Fun & Nature
• Penguin excursion at Ushuaia with Piratour
• Laguna Nimez at El Calafate
• Hiking opportunities at no charge at El Chalten
• Transportation: $100
• Taxi between airports, hotels, attractions
• Bus round trip between El Calafate & El Chalten
• Food: $200
• Hotels all include breakfast. This estimate includes lunch and dinner only
• See additional details and descriptions at Argentina Southern Patagonia - Food
• Other misc.: $100
• Shopping, etc

Tips & Suggestions

• These cities are very popular tourist sites. Visa credit cards and US dollars are acceptable in the hotels I stayed in and for local tours I signed up
• Make sure to have a credit card that does not charge you with foreign exchange fees
• You lose a day each way in flight, so remember to plan them into your trip
• Do I need travel insurance? This is not an easy question, but couple things to help you making a decision. Research the charges if you were to change flight schedules, check with your current insurance company to see if they cover medical abroad, and take a look at what are the travel plans available at https://www.insuremytrip.com/

Magellan penguin at Isla Martillo