Welcome to Santa Cruz
Tourism in Santa Cruz: What Can You Do in this Province?
Speed up along the mythical Route 40 and make your dream of merging the Andes Mountains with the Atlantic Ocean come true. Cross the Corredor del Viento circuit and discover the secrets of the Patagonian plateau. Move along the Blue Route and tour the marine coastline, with the sea embracing the plateau, villages, and ports full of sailors’ stories. Get closer to rural life, the legacy of the Tehuelches people, and the traces of the first people who inhabited this unspoilt soil.
Tour the never-ending Patagonia
Make your dream come true: drive fast along Route 40 and see the Andes Mountains merge with the Atlantic Ocean. Get across the Corredor del Viento and discover the secrets of the Patagonian plateau. Drive along the Ruta Azul and tour the sea coast, there where the sea embraces the plateau, the villages and the ports filled with sailor tales. Get a close look at rural life, the Tehuelche legacy and the tracks of the pioneers that lived on this unspoiled soil.
Tour the province with the largest number of national parks in our country. Visit El Calafate, El Chaltén and the Cherry Capital: Los Antiguos. Discover two Natural Heritage Sites: the mythical Perito Moreno Glacier and the Cave of Hands [Cueva de Las Manos], that will surprise you with its cave paintings. Taste the local dishes in tourist farms. Enjoy adventure sports. Santa Cruz is waiting for you.
About Santa Cruz
Take a History Tour and Walk on Ancient Ice
About the Province
Come to the province with the largest number of national parks in the country. Visit El Calafate, El Chaltén, and Los Antiguos, the cherry capital. Discover two World Heritage Sites: the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier and Cueva de Las Manos, with surprising cave paintings. Taste the local gastronomy in tourist farms, delighting in the autochthonous flavour of unique dishes. Enjoy adventure sports. Are you ready to embrace Santa Cruz?
Must-see Attractions
Visiting Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz’s Capital
The capital of this southern province; the entrance gate to Southern Patagonia. Be amazed by the charms of Río Gallegos and its downtown area, nature, and historical monuments.
The National Capital of Trekking: El Chaltén and its Beauty
Whether you decide to cross the Lago del Desierto Lake on a catamaran, follow dreamy trails in the trekking Mecca, or climb to the peak of the Huemul Glacier, the limitless natural wonders in this mountain village will surprise you. Contemplate a fascinating sunrise at the foot of Fitz Roy Mountain, and camp under the stars.
The Surprising Town of El Calafate
Go on magical excursions, explore a petrified forest, and walk in gigantic masses of ice and snow in the most extraordinary frozen paradise in Argentina.
Ice Skating in Bahía Redonda
In the city of El Calafate, you can ice-skate on the largest natural ice rink in South America. Ideal for all ages!
Travelling Back in Time in Puerto San Julián
Bring back marine legends and adventures in a city packed with historical legacies and natural wonders. In addition, contemplate the mythical Zero Point that marks the beginning of Patagonia.
Sailing on Lake Argentino
From Puerto Bandera, embark on an aquatic adventure on the majestic Lake Argentino, Patagonia’s most southern and immense lake.
Los Glaciares National Park
Declared a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, Los Glaciares National Park offers icy adventures and the wonderful Perito Moreno Glacier. Let yourself be amazed by its magic.
Exploring the Bosques Petrificados National Park
A land buried under the lava and ashes of a volcano at the beginning of the Cretaceous period. This is the introduction of this tourist spot that preserves one of the most important fossil flora concentrations in continental American Argentina.
Climate and Temperature of Santa Cruz
There are two types of climates in the province of Santa Cruz: in the centre and east, an arid Patagonian climate; and in the west, it is cold and humid. It is one of the coldest regions in Argentina and, although there is not much rainfall, snowfalls are frequent. Its maximum annual temperature is barely 15 °C.
What is the best time to visit Santa Cruz?
Each season has its unique charms, so there is no such thing as the best time. In winter, the days are very cold and short, ideal for practising snow sports in the ski resorts across the province. In summer, the days are longer, so you can enjoy all kinds of activities, such as exploring glaciers, going on trekking excursions, or resting on the shore of the lakes. Autumn and spring are always welcome to contemplate bright colours and make the most of not so extreme climates.
Which provinces does Santa Cruz border?
As it is surrounded by sea, ocean, and Chilean territory, the only Argentinian province bordering Santa Cruz is Chubut on the north, delimited by the 46th parallel south, i.e., the parallel 46 degrees south of the Earth’s equatorial plane.
What is the capital of Santa Cruz?
The capital of Santa Cruz is Río Gallegos. Considered the entrance gate to Southern Patagonia, this city is an obligatory stop of your tour around the province due to its history, its views, and its great cultural and gastronomic activities. The walks along the esplanade are amazing and can’t be missed out.
How far is El Calafate from the Perito Moreno Glacier?
Both natural attractions are in the province of Santa Cruz, but they are not very close to each other. El Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glacier are divided by a distance of 428.99 km in a straight line and 621 km on the road. It takes you about 7 hours to get there by car.
Actividades