El Calafate itself is not a very nice place. Situated on the shore of desolate Lago Argentino, at more than 50 degrees South, the winder never ever stops blowing, and the sun seldom has a chance to shine properly. I was there in mid-summer and I spent my entire stay shivering and coughing on wind-blown dust! The town can't have been very big twenty, or even ten years ago. Now it is home to lots of hostels, restaurants, curio shops and art galleries. A few big 5 star hotels are also springing  more...