Casa Viedma
Casa Viedma is a Patagonian inn-style guesthouse, with four double rooms with private bathroom, with either a double bed or two twin beds, and homemade breakfast included. It is at 71 Ricardo Arbilla, 100 meters from the town center and 500 meters from the entrance to El Chaltén, and is open from October 1 to April 30.
Ideal for those looking for peace and quiet, personalized attention and a family atmosphere.
Just steps from the two main avenues you'll find restaurants, supermarkets and grocery stores, an ice cream shop and other interesting shops, and you're close to the start of the trailheads in the National Park.
We invite you to reconnect with Nature and feel right at home!
Florencia
Good to know
We speak: Spanish and English.
Open from October 1 to April 30.
Business hours: from 07:00 AM to 04:00 PM (Argentina Time / UTC-3).
Check-in: 02:00 PM.
Check-out: 10:00 AM.
Breakfast included.
Smoking not allowed.
Pets not allowed.
Long stays welcome.
Amenities
Rooms
1 room with two twin beds, 1 room with a double bed, and 2 rooms with either a double bed or two twin beds.
Breakfast
A hearty homemade breakfast, made with care, to start your day before heading out on the trails.
Breakfast
- Coffee, tea, milk, homemade dark bread and pound cake, Patagonian jams, butter, juice, homemade yogurt, cereal, scrambled eggs.
Rooms
- Beds with box spring, nightstands with reading light.
- High-quality bed linens and towels. 2 pillows per person and extra blankets
- Windows with blackout curtains.
- Closet, hangers.
- Radiator heating.
Bathroom
- Shower, sink with mirror, hair dryer.
- Free toiletries and towels.
Living Area
- Sofas with coffee table, maps, board games and reading material.
In addition
- Tea service available.
- Advice on activities and excursions.
- Electronic lock on the front door.
- Luggage storage.
- Free WiFi.
- First aid kit.
- Fire extinguisher.
- Free uncovered parking on the street.
- We speak Spanish and English.
Location
71 Ricardo Arbilla, Z9301 El Chaltén, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
It's a quiet area of El Chaltén, with cafés on the same block and 100 m from the town center.
Location and access map
The blue line on the map shows the route by vehicle or on foot from the entrance to El Chaltén. (Distance: 500 meters).
From El Calafate Airport: 200 km to El Chaltén, about 3 hours by bus.
What our guests say
“Good individually prepared breakfasts, nice clean room, warm and friendly customer service, close to the centre and trekking.”
“Great place. Cozy. Friendly staff. Great breakfast! Located conveniently in town, close to trails, stores and restaurants.”
“Very cute place! Room was cozy and the bed was comfortable. Bathroom was clean and the shower was great. Convenient location. Breakfast was simple but delicious.”
Frequently asked questions
About the accommodation and services
Casa Viedma offers four double rooms with private bathroom: 1 room with two twin beds, 1 room with a double bed, and 2 rooms with either a double bed or two twin beds.
Yes! The rate includes breakfast: coffee, tea, milk, homemade dark bread and pound cake, Patagonian jams, butter, juice, homemade yogurt, cereal, and scrambled eggs.
Casa Viedma is located at 71 Ricardo Arbilla, just 100 meters from downtown and 500 meters from the entrance to El Chaltén. It's in a quiet area, within walking distance of trails, supermarkets and restaurants.
In addition to accommodation, we offer tourist information, advice on trails, booking of excursions and transportation, luggage storage, free WiFi, and personalized attention in Spanish and English.
Pets and smoking are not allowed in any of the units. Casa Viedma is a smoke-free space designed for guests' rest.
Bookings, contact and hours
To book your stay at Casa Viedma, use the "Book your stay" button, indicating your desired check-in and check-out dates, number of guests, and any additional comments or questions. Your inquiry reaches us directly, with no intermediary. We'll get back to you as soon as possible confirming availability for those dates, the price, and payment options. You can also use the "Chat on WhatsApp" button.
You can send us a message using the "Chat on WhatsApp" button, or even the "Book your stay" button without needing to enter dates or number of guests. We answer phone calls at +54 9 2966 75-2732, from 07:00 AM to 04:00 PM (Argentina Time / UTC-3).
Check-in: 02:00 PM. Check-out: 10:00 AM.
We are open from October 1 to April 30, with front-desk hours from 07:00 AM to 04:00 PM (Argentina Time / UTC-3).
Useful information for your trip
Argentina
Official language: Spanish (castellano). In Buenos Aires and tourist areas, English is fairly well understood. Demonym: Argentine / Argentinian.
Currency: Argentine peso (ARS). Symbol: $. ISO code: ARS. US dollars are accepted at many hotels and tourist businesses (always ask about the exchange rate). There are official and parallel exchange rates ("dólar blue"). Recommended: exchange money at official exchange houses, banks, or Western Union. Bring clean, low-denomination cash dollars. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in cities; cash is essential in small towns and for tips/taxis.
220-230 V / 50 Hz. Type C outlets (European, two round pins) and type I (Australian-style, two flat V-shaped pins + ground). Bring a universal adapter.
Valid passport (at least 3-6 months of remaining validity and blank pages recommended). Citizens of most countries in the Americas, Europe, Australia, Canada, Japan, etc. don't need a visa for tourism stays of up to 90 days. Always check with the Argentine embassy for your specific nationality. Additional entry requirements: round-trip ticket or proof of onward travel. Sufficient funds (approx. USD 50/day). Travel medical insurance (recommended/required under recent regulations – check whether Decree 366/2025 is in force; many sources require it with minimum coverage for emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation). A sworn declaration in some cases.
Time zone: UTC-3 (Argentina Time – ART) across the whole mainland. Daylight saving time has not been used since 2009. Phone code: +54.
911 (general emergencies – police/ambulance, with English-language support in Buenos Aires City). 100 Fire department. 107 Ambulance (SAME). 101 Police. Buenos Aires also has a dedicated Tourist Police.
Driving is on the right. A valid national license plus an international driving permit is recommended (depending on agreements and the rental company). Legal minimum age is 17 (rental companies usually require 21+).
In Buenos Aires: the SUBE card is used for the subway, buses, and trains. Useful apps: Cabify, Uber, BA Taxi.
Generally safe in major cities (Buenos Aires, Córdoba, etc.). In rural or remote areas, bottled water is recommended.
Not mandatory but expected for good service. Restaurants: 10%. Taxis: round up or leave the change. Hotels: bellhops and housekeeping as appropriate. Guides: 10%.
Good 4G/5G coverage in cities. Prepaid SIM cards are easy to buy (Claro, Movistar, Personal) with your passport. WiFi is common in hotels, cafés, and airports.
No mandatory vaccines. Recommended: routine vaccines up to date, plus yellow fever if visiting the north (Iguazú and surrounding areas). Medical insurance is strongly advised (and possibly required).
Highly varied: subtropical in the north, temperate in the center, cold/subantarctic in Patagonia. The best time to visit depends on the region (southern summer, Dec-Feb, for most of the country; winter for skiing).
Mealtimes run late (dinner starts around 9 pm). Siesta is common in inland towns. Mate-drinking culture. Asado (barbecue), empanadas, Malbec wine.
Normal precautions apply, as in any big city. Watch out for pickpockets in touristy areas of Buenos Aires. Avoid displaying valuables.
El Chaltén
El Chaltén is located about 210-220 km north of El Calafate via Route 40 + Route 41, fully paved: about 2.5 hours by car or private transfer, and about 3 hours by bus or shuttle, due to stops.
Chaltenense (the term used for people from El Chaltén).
High season: October to April (best for trekking). Peak: December-February (longer days, more visitors). Shoulder season: October-November and March-April (fewer crowds, good fall colors). Low season / winter: May-September (many services close, snow, difficult trails; for experienced visitors only).
The closest airport is Armando Tola International Airport, also known as El Calafate Airport (FTE). El Chaltén has no airport of its own. It's only reachable by land: daily buses run from El Calafate, usually departing in the morning, midday, and afternoon during the tourist season. Private transfers and rental cars are also an option. In high season, it's best to book in advance.
Extremely variable (all 4 seasons can happen in a single day). Very strong winds (Patagonia). Summer temperatures: 10-20°C (50-68°F) during the day, cool at night. Winter temperatures: -5 to 5°C (23-41°F) during the day, very cold at night. Layered clothing, a waterproof jacket, and a windbreaker are essential.
220V / 50Hz (same plug types as the rest of Argentina: C and I). Internet and cell signal are limited or intermittent (better in the town center). WiFi is available at most accommodations, though not always stable. Satellite internet (Starlink) is being adopted quickly. Mobile service: 4G (Movistar, Claro).
There's a branch of Banco Santa Cruz. ATMs (Banco Santa Cruz / Red LINK) are available, but they can be out of order or run out of cash. It's best to withdraw money in El Calafate beforehand.
There's a local health center with basic care and an ambulance (Puesto Sanitario). Serious emergencies are evacuated to El Calafate. Travel insurance with mountain/rescue coverage is highly recommended.
There's a YPF fuel station (Módulo de Abastecimiento Social, MAS) at the entrance to town, offering diesel and Super gasoline. Postal service: Correo Argentino.
Currency exchange offices.
A small, quiet town, 100% focused on trekking and nature. A backpacker and mountain-lover atmosphere. Meal and business hours are earlier than in Buenos Aires. There's a strong "mountain culture" and respect for the environment.
Since late 2024, there's an entrance fee for the main trails. Tickets are purchased online or via QR code (cash is not accepted at the trailheads). Multi-day passes are available.