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| DESTINATION GUIDE PUERTO MADRYN & PENINSULA DE VALDES |
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Located on Atlantic coast of the Province of Chubut, 1400 km (870 miles) south of Buenos Aires, Puerto Madryn was founded by Welsh immigrants in 1865.
The importance of the city lies over its proximity to two main protected natural areas: Peninsula Valdes and Punta Tombo penguin Rockery. It soon became an international tourism center to see several species: Southern Right Whale, Magellan’s Penguin, Sea Lions, Elephant Seals, Commerson's Dolphins, Orcas and different type of birds. Nowadays, even cruise lines make a stop in Puerto Madryn during their itinerary.
The city was declared national capital of Scuba Diving thanks to the enormous activity related, many scuba diving lovers come here just to get in closer contact with sea animals immersing themselves in the cold waters of Gulfs Nuevo or San Jose.
During the summer, the city gets crowded as many inhabitants in the surrounded area choose Puerto Madryn as a beach resort, which beaches are the solution for the hot days. |
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Despite of being located in Patagonia, Puerto Madryn and Peninsula Valdes enjoy a moderate weather thanks to the role performed by the Ocean. During summer, days are hot and nights cool. During the winter, days cool and nights cold. Rains are not usual, especially in the Peninsula. In the graphic below, you will see the average temperature chart per month:
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As the importance of Puerto Madryn and Peninsula Valdes are given by the regional fauna, the best time for visiting the area is given by the period when this fauna can be seen. In the graphic below, you will see the species sightsee calendar: |
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We recommend you to stay at least three nights in the area, that way you will be able to visit both Peninsula Valdes and Punta Tombo with no needs to rush. In the case that you travel between May and September, two nights would be enough to visit just Peninsula Valdes as the Punta Tombo Reserve is closed. |
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Puerto Madryn can be accessed by plane from Buenos Aires (2h) everyday year round and from Ushuaia (2 to 3h) or El Calafate (1.4h) according to airlines schedule during high season. By bus you can get to Puerto Madryn from Buenos Aires (18h) or Bariloche (14h) year round. There’s an option to get to Puerto Madryn from Bariloche combining a night train to San Antonio Oeste and a bus to the final destination, departures vary according to the season. |
| Restaurants, Bars & Clubs |
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| Cantina El Náutico |
Fish and sea food. Av. Julio A. Roca 790. Tel: 47-1404. |
| El Escondido |
Fish, pasta and local dishes. Moreno 60. Tel: 15-55-5758. |
| La Gaviota Cocinera |
Local dishes. Av. Gales 32. Tel: 45-6033. |
| Terraza |
Local dishes. Bv. Brown 759. Tel: 47-3250. |
| Yoaquina |
Fish and sea food. Bv. Brown 1900. Tel: 45-6058. |
| Margarita Pub |
Snacks. Roque Sáenz Peña 15. Cel: 15-55-9082. |
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- Eco Centro, Puerto Madryn Interpretation Center & Museum (PMY)
- Museum of Modern Art (PMY)
- Natural Sciences and Oceanographic Museum (PMY)
- Peninsula Valdes Interpretation Center and Museum (PIR)
- Salesian Regional Museum (RAW)
- Edigio Feruglio Paleontologic Museum (REL)
- Pueblo de Luis Museum (REL) |
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Small Circuit Tour
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| Total circuit: |
60 km. |
| Departures: |
Everyday, 9am and 2pm. |
| Length: |
4 hours. |
| Difficulty: |
Easy. |
| Lunch: |
Not included. |
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During the tour you’ll appreciate San Carlos de Bariloche surroundings. We’ll start in downtown from where we’ll take Bustillo Avenue to reach Playa Bonita at Km8. You’ll visit Campanario Hill, where you can optionally take the lifting chair. After crossing the San Pedro Peninsula at Km25, we’ll reach the Llao Llao area, where you’ll find the San Eduardo Chapel and the luxurious Llao Llao hotel, in front of Puerto Pañuelo, the departing pier of many lake excursions. We’ll visit Villa Tacul, Escondido Lake, López Bay, Moreno Lake and El Trébol Lake after getting to the lookout point. Return to the hotel.
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Beagle Channel Navigation
Peninsula Valdes Tour |
| Total circuit: |
380 km. |
| Departures: |
Everyday, 8am. |
| Length: |
11 hours. |
| Difficulty: |
Easy. |
| Lunch: |
Not included. |
| Entrance Fee: |
Not included ($). |
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We set out early in the morning for Puerto Pirámides. There, from May to December, you will have the option to take a boat to go whale-watching and see sea-lions, cormorants. From Pirámides we leave to the South of the peninsula going through Salinas Grande y Chica. On getting to Punta Delgada, around midday, you will have time for lunch. In Punta Delgada we have the chance to go down the cliffs and walk near the sea-elephants. Then, we head to Punta Cantor to see the external coast of the peninsula and we get to Caleta Valdés to interpret geological formations. On the way to Ameghino Isthmus, we have good chances of coming across wild land-fauna such as guanacos, rheas, foxes, maras (Patagonian hare), armadillos, skunks, etc. Arrival to your hotel in the late afternoon.
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Whale Watching Navigation:
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| Departures: |
Everyday, from Puerto Piramides. Whales are available from June to December. |
| Length: |
1 hour. |
| Difficulty: |
Easy. |
| Lunch: |
Not included. |
Departure from Puerto Piramides on navigation along the Golfo Nuevo. During the tour, the guide will explain the whales’ behavior and the reason for their existence in the area during some months every year. Sea lions and other birds are visible from the boat as well.
Punta Tombo Penguin Rockery Tour
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| Total circuit: |
400 km. |
| Departures: |
Everyday, 8am. From September to April. |
| Length: |
11 hours. |
| Difficulty: |
Easy. |
| Lunch: |
Not included. |
| Entrance Fee: |
Not included ($). |
Early morning departure to visit the Punta Tombo Penguin Rockery, the Rawson Port where you can optionally take a Commerson’s Dolphins watching navigation, Gaiman where you can optionally have a the typical Welsh tea and Trelew to optionally visit the Palenthologic Museum. Punta Tombo surprises visitors for its wonderful landscape full of penguins which walk around looking for their nests, like a penguin citadel.
Bike Tours
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| Total circuit: |
25 to 40 km. |
| Departures: |
Everyday, upon request. |
| Length: |
3 to 6 hours. |
| Difficulty: |
Easy to moderate. |
| Lunch: |
Not included. |
| Entrance Fee: |
Not included when applicable ($). |
Three different guided tours in mountain bikes are available from Puerto Madryn:
- Punta Este from where you will get a panoramic view of the city. 25 km. 3 to 4 hours.
- El Doradillo, beach from where whales can be seen during the period between June and December. 38 km. 5 to 6 hours.
- Punta Loma, a sea lions Reserve north of Puerto Madryn. 40 km. 5 to 6 hours.
Local bilingual guides will provide valuable information about flora and fauna while enjoying the pure air of Patagonia cycling on full equipped mountain bikes with front suspension.
Scuba Diving Baptism
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| Departures: |
Everyday, upon request. |
| Length: |
1 to 3 hours. |
| Difficulty: |
Different levels. Previous experience is not required. |
| Lunch: |
Not included. |
After the equipment is provided, an instructor will explain you the basics of scuba diving. You will then leave in a motorboat to the selected submarine park. Right before getting in the water, the instructor will have you practicing the language codes you will use under water. BegB&B/Inners will receive a certification. Advanced diver interested in visiting the area, can choose among several available spots.
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Destination Guides |
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