Last updated July 12, 2026

The calm waters of Bahía Redonda near El Calafate, with distant mountains and the edge of town visible along the far shore

Fernando de Gorocica / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

El Calafate

Where to Stay in Costanera, El Calafate

Costanera refers to the lakefront stretch of El Calafate — hotels and apart-hotels positioned along or near the shore of Bahía Redonda and Lago Argentino, from the western end of Avenida del Libertador where it meets the water, to hillside properties east and south of downtown with wider lake views. It's a smaller, quieter alternative to Centro's main strip, generally geared toward travelers who value views and calm over being steps from restaurants.

What it's actually like to stay here

Quieter and more residential than Centro, with hotel gardens, lake views, and birdlife along the shore near Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve rather than shopfronts and tour buses; some Costanera properties sit far enough from downtown that they run their own shuttle service.

Stay here if

Best for couples and travelers who prioritize lake views, quiet, and a slower pace, and who don't mind a short walk or drive to reach Centro's restaurants and tour agencies — a number of Costanera's hotels are among the more upscale properties in town.

Stay elsewhere if

Consider Centro instead if you'd rather walk to a wide choice of restaurants and tour agencies each day than rely on a hotel shuttle or a short drive.

Walkability
Mixed — some Costanera hotels near the western end of Avenida del Libertador are a 10-15 minute walk from Centro's restaurants, while others sit 3-4 km further out on hillsides or along the lakeshore and are only practical by hotel shuttle, taxi, or car.
Noise at night
Quiet, especially at hotels away from the main avenue — mostly birdsong and wind off the lake rather than traffic, with little of Centro's daytime bustle.

Best Hotels in Costanera, El Calafate

Xelena Hotel & Suites

★★★★★
  • ✨ Best luxury

Our take A full-service lakefront resort built around its Lago Argentino views, for travelers who'd rather stay directly on the water than walk to downtown restaurants each night.

Highlights

  • Directly on the shore of Lago Argentino, with many rooms designed around the lake view
  • A full spa with indoor pool, sauna, and Turkish baths, not a token gym
  • A free hourly shuttle into Centro, so you're not stranded without a car

What to know

  • Several kilometers from downtown's restaurants and tour agencies — plan around the shuttle schedule or a taxi rather than walking
  • Rates sit near the top of El Calafate's market, reflecting its resort scale and amenities
Check availability on Booking.com

Imago Hotel & Spa

★★★★★
  • 🤫 Best for a quiet stay

Our take A peaceful, wellness-focused retreat a short drive from downtown — quieter and more removed than Centro's hotels, with a spa built for unwinding after a day at the glacier.

Highlights

  • A genuine spa with a massage room, sauna and Turkish baths.
  • Free shuttle transfers to and from Centro, so you don't need a rental car.

What to know

  • About 4 km from downtown, roughly a 10-minute drive or an hour's walk, so plan around the shuttle.
  • Among the pricier hotels in El Calafate, reflecting its spa and resort-style setting
Check availability on Booking.com

Alto Calafate Hotel Patagonico

★★★★
  • ❤️ Best for couples

Our take A scenic hillside choice at the edge of town — its panoramic lake and mountain views and two pools make it a memorable base for travelers who prioritize the view over walking distance to Centro.

Highlights

  • A hillside setting with panoramic views of Lago Argentino from many rooms
  • Two heated pools, a spa, and a health club — more than most Centro hotels
  • A free shuttle into town, so the hillside location doesn't require a rental car

What to know

  • About a 10-minute drive from downtown — not a practical walk, so plan around the shuttle schedule or a taxi
  • Its size and event facilities mean it can feel busier than a smaller boutique property at times
Check availability on Booking.com

Mirador del Lago Apart Hotel

★★★★
  • 🧳 Best for longer stays

Our take A calmer, lake-facing alternative to Centro's busier stretch of Avenida del Libertador — close enough to walk to downtown, but with the view and quiet of a Costanera property.

Highlights

  • Faces Lago Argentino directly, with roughly half its rooms offering lake views
  • About 15 minutes' walk from Centro's main intersection, quieter than the busiest stretch
  • An apartment-style layout that suits travelers who want more space than a standard hotel room

What to know

  • Not all rooms have lake views — request one directly if that matters to you
  • At the western end of Avenida del Libertador, so the bus terminal and restaurant strip are further
Check availability on Booking.com

Transportation & practical information

Hotels closer to downtown are walkable to Centro; the more distant lakeside and hillside properties typically run their own free shuttle into town, a service worth confirming at booking. A car or taxi is the practical alternative outside of shuttle hours.

Downtown El Calafate is small and walkable, and most visitors reach the Perito Moreno Glacier's walkway system by organized excursion or shared shuttle rather than a rental car, since parking and traffic at the glacier are limited during peak hours. A car becomes more useful if you want to set your own schedule at the glacier or explore further afield toward El Chaltén, roughly 3 hours north.

Frequently asked questions

Are Costanera's hotels within walking distance of downtown?
It depends on the property — some near the western end of Avenida del Libertador are a 10-15 minute walk from Centro, while others sit 3-4 km out on hillsides or the lakeshore and rely on a shuttle, taxi, or car.
Why stay in Costanera instead of Centro?
For quieter streets, lake views, and generally more upscale hotels — the trade-off is being a short walk, shuttle, or drive from Centro's restaurants and tour agencies rather than right among them.

Related areas

A tree-lined stretch of Avenida del Libertador in downtown El Calafate, with parked cars along a cobblestone street

Raf24~commonswiki / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Centro

Best for: First-time visitors, Families, Budget travelers, Couples

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