Region Information
Puerto Madryn: It is one of the most attractive towns on the seaside in Patagonia. The little centre is on the coast of “Golfo Nuevo”. At the “Costanera” and at the main square, many restaurants, outdoor cafes, and promenades create a Mediterranean holiday atmosphere. The people of Puerto Madryn live mainly on tourism and fishing.
Trelew: Of Welsh origin, it is the commercial and industrial centre of the zone and the strategic point for air and land communications with the rest of the country.
Península Valdés: It has an extension of 3,625 sq km and it is joined to the continent by a narrow isthmus. It is a quite deserted area and in its centre there are three small salt lakes. The peninsula is one of the finest wildlife reserves in South America. It has its own microclimate due to its geographical location and thus a fascinating variety of animals to show. Sea lions, elephant seals, Magellan penguins, guanacos, rheas, Southern Right whales and many other animals can be observed. Every year the whales appear from June to mid-December to give birth. During this period, whales can be observed from boats leaving from Puerto Pirámides. Puerto Pirámides is the only village on the peninsula and was the main port for salt exports. Nowadays the village depends on tourism. All along the coast there are colonies of sea lions and penguins, resting on the beaches. A big variety of birds can be observed. Punta Delgada is located on the extreme southeast of the Valdés peninsula. It is a natural balcony on the Atlantic cliffs. From there you can see the colonies of sea lions and elephant seals that live quietly on the beach. At Punta Delgada you will also find a small lighthouse, which is used as a restaurant and hotel. From here, there is an access, many steps down to the beach where you can closely observe the elephant seals. Caleta Valdés is 24km further north. This narrow tongue of land separates the open sea from the inland lagoon. On its coast there are sea lions, elephant seals and penguins and the waters are full of all kinds of fish. Punta Norte is in the extreme northeast of the peninsula and here you will find the most important elephant seal colonies.
Punta Tombo: This is a fauna reserve for Magellan penguins and lies 120km south of Trelew. It has the largest continental penguin colony apart from the Antarctic. The colony can reach up to 2 million animals. The visitor can approach very near to these curious animals by clearly marked paths. The observation is fun with penguins coming right up to the people.