Region Information

The Patagonian Atlantic coast along the longitudinal RN 3 in eastern Chubut and Santa Cruz provinces is less promoted than the Andean Lake District, but also interesting. Many animals live along the entire Patagonian coast as far as Tierra del Fuego. This is especially true respecting shorebirds, penguins, and marine mammals, including whales and seals. Comodoro Rivadavia in southern Chubut province and Rio Gallegos at the bottom of the continent are the only two big cities and have their origin in the oil business.

Comodoro Rivadavia: Even though it is not a major destination in its own, Comodoro Rivadavia is a stopover for south or westbound travellers. Founded in 1901, the village boomed a few years later when petroleum was found for the first time. Fuel storage tanks and pipelines clutter the landscape nearly everywhere. Comodoro Rivadavia is the powerhouse of the Argentine oil industry providing about one-third of the country production. The new petroleum museum run by the Universidad de la Patagonia is one of the best of its kind in the world. The penguin colony of Camarones, 300km north of Comodoro Rivadavia and about half way to Trelew is less crowded than Punta Tombo. Another interesting place to visit is the Sarmiento petrified forest which lies 156km west of Comodoro Rivadavia and close to the street of the village Los Antiguos.

Puerto Deseado: This off-the-beaten-track village is one of those enjoyable surprises that makes travelling a rewarding experience. The intrusion of the South Atlantic into the former river bed created several islands and other sites with nesting habitat for seabirds. Excursions have to be done by boat.

Río Gallegos: Founded in 1885 on the south bank of its namesake river, near the southern tip of Argentina, it is the provincial capital and port. It continues its tradition of service to the wool industry, but has also become an important centre for energy development. Rio Gallegos is mainly a stopover in the route to El Calafate, El Chaltén, or the Chilean towns Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales. About 120km southeast of Río Gallegos is the cape Vírgenes. Some 30,000 Magellan penguins nest at this colony.