El Calafate is quite a touristy place because the Moreno Glacier is a 'must-see' like the Iguazu Falls. So there is a lot of accommodation options available for all budgets.

The cheapest option is camping. Because of the extreme weather conditions in Patagonia camping is only advisable in the warm summer months from November to January. Camping Lago Roca is 50kms away from El Calafate but offers scenic camping with fishing, horse back riding and trekking. In contrast, Camping Municipal is just a few hundred meters from the bus station on Jose Pantin.

We arrived in November and it was still very chilly. We were inundated with offers as soon as we got off the bus. The cheapest was for Hostel Coihue ($6.70 for a dorm bed). It was a good, clean hostel with warm dorms, free internet and guest use kitchen. It's on Av. May 25 number 168 (tel: (+54) 2902494328). Hostel Coihue doesn't appear to have a website or be affiliated with any booking engines.

Other reasonably priced hostels are:Marco Polo Inn which is $15 for a drom bed but a bit far from the bus station;Calafate Hostel ($13) in the center; and Hostel Buenos Aires half a block from the bus station ($12). They all offer guest use kitchens and free internet. Click on the names of the hostels to book them now.