Southern Argentina and Tierra del Fuego Campgrounds and Hotels

Written by Jessica on April 4, 2013

Download the Google Earth KMZ of our Southern Argentina and Tierra del Fuego route and lodgings.

This article is part of our Accommodation Listing series.

Camping Municipal

 

Gobernador Gregores
GPS: S 48 45.346 W 70 14.616
Cost: Free
Date we stayed: January 16, 2013

Water & Bathroom: No
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Internet: No
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No 
Parking: Yes

Notes: The municipal campground that had bathrooms was closed. This is a free camp site with no facilities except a cement grill area. 

Camping El Niriguao

 

El Calafate
GPS: S50 20.020 W72 15.517
Cost: AR35 per person
Date we stayed: January 17, 2013

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Wifi
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No
Parking: Yes

Notes: Great family run campground. There are plenty of shady camp spots, big enough for any size vehicle. Fast wifi only reaches the first few sites, but there is a indoor common area that you can use. It can get very loud on the weekend.

Camping Pezcasai

 

Rio Gallegos
GPS: S51 37.550 W69 37.017
Cost:  AR30 per person, AR20 per tent, AR20 per car, AR30 to grill
Date we stayed: January 26, 2013

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: No
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No
Parking: Yes

Notes: This campground is ridiculously expensive, with charges for everything except the bathroom. Larger vehicles will not fit, there is a height restriction. If you can sleep in your rig, there is free camping without facilities on the other side of the river, it just might be a bit windy.

Club Nautica (Campground)

 

Rio Grande
GPS: S53 47.915 W67 40.901
Cost: Free?
Date we stayed: January 27, 2013

Water & Bathroom: No
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Internet: No
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No
Parking: Yes

Notes: This is the closest we have come to camping in a dump. There were no staff here and could be the reason why the grounds were so dirty. The upside was the cost. The place looked shut down, but the gate was open so we let ourselves in for the night.

Camping La Pista del Andino

 

Ushuaia
GPS: S54 48.759 W68 21.052
Cost: AR40 per person
Date we stayed: January 29th and February 9, 2013

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Wifi
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No
Parking: Yes

Notes: Tons of space for rigs of all sizes. If you are taking a cruise to Antarctica you can park your vehicle for a small fee. Wifi is good, but doesn't reach all of the sites. There is a huge indoor area you can enjoy to avoid the constant wind and rain.

Leith Cove (Camping)

 

Antarctica Penninsula
GPS: S64 51.688 W62 48.331
Cost: US$225 per person
Date we stayed: February 3, 2013

Water & Bathroom: Only Mr. Yum Yum
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Internet: No
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No 
Parking: Hell No

Notes: The expedition crew has a portable toilet that they build a snow wall around. fantastic views, but it is chilly. No food or drinks are allowed when camping here. You cannot drive here.

Camping Hain

 

Tolhuin
GPS: S 54 31.558 W 67 13.932
Cost: AR35 per person
Date we stayed: February 11, 2013

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: No
Kitchen: Yes
Restaurant: No
Parking: Yes

Notes: Awesome campground right on the lake. Be sure to leave your mark in the shelter. The indoor areas have big wood stoves so you can stay warm and dry. There is a great bakery in town a five minute drive away that has free wifi.

Camping Josmar2

 

Puerto Natales
GPS: S51 43.714 W72 30.218
Cost: CLP$5,000 per person
Date we stayed:  February 15, 2013

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Wifi
Kitchen: Yes
Restaurant: Yes, basic 
Parking: Yes

Notes: There are three parking spots at the campground, No big rigs will fit. The camp sites are cordoned off to give you some space but this does not seem to stop other travelers from pitching tents right next to yours in the middle of the night. Good news is there is a brewery in the main square with burgers the size of your face, stumbling distance away. 

Lago Pehoe - Torres del Paine (Campground)

 

Torres del Paine
GPS: S51 06.432 W72 59.229
Cost: CLP$8,000 per person
Date we stayed: February 17, 2013

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: In reception
Internet: No
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: Yes 
Parking: Yes

Notes: With shelters and hot showers this was the logical option for us. We saw one other campground that had no shelters and would have been exposed to the fierce wind, making camping very uncomfortable. However, the cost at this place is a little bit crazy.

Camping Bonanza (Campground)

 

El Chalten
GPS: S49 14.595 W72 53.561
Cost:  AR$50 per person
Date we stayed: February 20, 2013

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: In Restaurant
Internet: No
Kitchen: Yes
Restaurant: Yes
Parking: Yes

Notes: A great spot about 10km north of town. Located on a river that according to the owners are full of fish. It's set in a small forest that offers protection from the frequently fierce winds.

Camping Municipal

 

Perito Moreno (the town)
GPS: S46 35.772 W70 55.564
Cost:  AR$30 per person + extra for cars and tents
Date we stayed: February 23, 2012

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: No
Kitchen: Yes
Restaurant: No
Parking: Yes

Notes: This campsite's saving grace is the indoor shelter. There is a small parking area where you can camp close to the car. The bathrooms smell foul, but work. Nice fluffy grass for tent campers.

Camping Cerveceria (Campground)

 

El Bolson
GPS: S41 56.600 W71 32.158
Cost: AR$38 per person without beer (AR$45 with beer)
Date we stayed: February 24, 2013

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Wifi
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: Yes 
Parking: Yes

Notes: Two price options here, with or without beer. The campground is located behind the brewery but there are some spots in front where large rigs will fit. There is a free washing machine to use and the showers are excellent. The beer is OK, but overpriced.

Selva Negra (Campground)

 

City: Bariloche
GPS: S41 07.962 W71 20.580
Cost:  AR70 per person!
Date we stayed: February 27, 2013

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Wifi
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No 
Parking: Yes

Notes: Our first campground in Bariloche did not offer any discount for large groups and was closing even if there were 20 overlanders coming over. Expensive if you are staying in Bariloche.

Camping Petunia

 

Bariloche
GPS: S41 05.817 W71 26.884
Cost: AR$45 per person + AR$10 per car
Date we stayed: February 28, 2013

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Yes
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: Yes 
Parking: Yes

Notes: This was the location for the Badass Bariloche Bovine Bonanza with 20 other overlanders. The management is very accommodating as long as you promise to clean up the mess. This place is right on the lake about a 15 minute drive from town. There are comfortable cabanas available for AR$300 per night. The internet only works in the big fogon/lodge area, unfortunately it doesn't reach the nice spots by the lake in the back.

Free Camping Lago Espejo

 

Lago Espejo
GPS: S40 38.808 W71 42.105
Cost:  Free
Date we stayed: March 6, 2013

Water & Bathroom: No
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Internet: No
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No 
Parking: Yes

Notes: There are no facilities here and only a few level spots to park or pitch a tent. There are some hiking trails across the road.

Camping Traful Lauquen

 

Lago Traful
GPS: S40 39.475 W71 23.406
Cost: AR$60 per person
Date we stayed: March 7, 2013

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Yes
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: Yes 
Parking: Yes

Notes: A well groomed campground with a few spots where large rigs will fit. There is hot water at the dish washing station. Internet is slow, but reliable.

Camping Pichi Traful

 

North end of Lago Traful
GPS: S40 30.002 W71 35.029
Cost:  AR$50 per person
Date we stayed: March 8, 2013

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: No
Internet: No
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: Yes 
Parking: Yes

Notes: A large, campground that opened in late 2012. There are more than 80 sites, most of them next to the river or on the lake. Beautiful location!

Camping Quila Quina

 

San Martin de los Andes
GPS: S40 10.437 W71 26.794
Cost:  AR$45 per person AR$10 per car
Date we stayed: March 10, 2013

Water & Bathroom:  Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Yes
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No 
Parking: Yes

Notes: Great place about a half hour from San Martin. Stock up in town before heading out. There is a covered shelter with grill areas. The internet is super fast, but doesn't reach the shelter unless you have a wifi extender. Large rigs will fit here, although turning around might be a little difficult.

Camping Don Cirilo

 

City: Villa Pehuenia / Lago Alumine
GPS: S38 53.530 W71 08.933
Cost: AR$35 per person
Date we stayed: March 14, 2013

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Yes
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No
Parking: Yes

Notes: Campground is between young pine trees blocking the wind from the lake. The internet was not working when we camped here, although the signal did reach all of the sites. The dish station has hot water and the showers were amazingly hot! Large rigs will fit without trouble.

Camping Municpal La Isla (Campground)

 

Choele Choel
GPS: S39 17.931 W65 39.883
Cost: AR$6 per person AR$12 per tent
Date we stayed: March 15, 2013

Water & Bathroom:  Yes
Showers: Hot (Not Tested)
Electricity: Yes
Internet: No
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: No 
Parking: Yes

Notes: The campground is very close to the river. Most tent sites are dirt, they won't let you camp of the fluffy grass. Bathrooms are possibly the nastiest we have encountered on this trip. But works as a stop over if you are going from the Lakes District to Buenos Aires.

Camping Martin Reta

 

Reta
GPS: S38 53.990 W60 20.810
Cost: AR$40 per person
Date we stayed: March 16, 2013

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot (salt water)
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Yes
Kitchen: No
Restaurant: Yes 
Parking: Yes

Notes: Walking distance from the beach, this campsite is at the end of town. There are many camping spots you can't reach with a vehicle. There is power at almost all of the sites and the internet seems to reach everywhere. Large rigs will fit here, but turning around would be difficult.

Apartment Rental

 

Buenos Aires
GPS: S34 35.958 W58 23.268
Cost: USD $110 per night (sleeps 5)
Date we stayed: March 18, 2013
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p295238

Water & Bathroom: Yes
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes
Internet: Wifi
Kitchen: Yes
Restaurant: No
Parking: No

Notes: This apartment is walking distance from many attractions and the subway. There is a parking garage big enough to hold overland vehicles behind the Carrefour three blocks away. They change AR$80 per night for parking. Also, the best internet of the entire trip was in this apartment. Highly recommended!