In short
- The park fee is mandatory for all boat tours.
- Non-resident adults pay approximately 50,000 ARS.
- Tickets are not included in standard tour prices.
In this article
When booking a boat excursion to Spegazzini Glacier, you pay the operator for navigation and guide services. The national park entry is a separate fee. You must secure this pass before boarding your vessel at Puerto Punta Bandera.
Do I have to pay a park fee for the boat tour?
Yes, the national park fee is mandatory and strictly enforced for all passengers.
Boat tours to Spegazzini Glacier operate entirely within Los Glaciares National Park. Tour operators do not include this fee in their base ticket price. You must present proof of your park entrance fee payment at the port.
How much is the Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee 2026?
The current entry fee for non-resident international adults is approximately 50,000 ARS.
Prices depend on your residency status. You must carry your passport or physical ID to prove your category. Authorities verify this information when you present your ticket.
Why isn't the park fee included in my tour ticket?
The park fee is collected by the National Parks Administration, not private tour companies.
Tour operators handle the logistics of the catamaran navigation. The entrance fee goes directly to park administration. Because visitor categories and rates vary, companies leave this payment to the individual traveler.
How and when should I pay the entry fee?
You must purchase your entrance ticket before your boat trip begins.
Bring a digital or printed copy of your national park entrance fee receipt. Officials check this documentation at Puerto Punta Bandera before allowing passengers onto the docks. Securing it in advance prevents departure delays.
What documents do I need at the port?
You need your park fee receipt and a physical ID or passport.
- Digital or printed copy of your National Park entrance fee receipt
- Your passport or ID to verify your ticket category
- Your separate boat tour boarding pass
Does the fee cover access to Spegazzini Base?
Yes, your park entry grants access to public park areas for that day.
Once you disembark the boat at Spegazzini Base, you can use the 350 meters of accessible walkways. You can also access the De Agostini Lookout and the modern Refugio Spegazzini. No extra permits are required.
Questions travellers ask
Do I need a park ticket if I stay on the boat?
Yes. A valid Los Glaciares National Park entrance ticket must be purchased prior to the boat trip, regardless of whether you disembark.
Where do the boats depart from?
Tours depart from Puerto Punta Bandera, located roughly 47 to 50 kilometers from El Calafate.
How much does the boat tour cost?
Mandatory boat tours run approximately 330,000 ARS. This price is entirely separate from the 50,000 ARS park entrance fee.
