Madryn Port, Argentina

Distancia desde Capital Federal 1470 Km.
Distancia desde Córdoba 1454 Km.
Distancia desde Rosario 1536 Km.
Distancia desde S.C. Bariloche 966 Km.

Madryn Port, located 67 kilometers from Trelew, is a tourist spot par excellence. It is one of the strongest cities in The Patagonia.

It contains beaches of incredible beauty, ideal to practice sea activities like sport fishing, scuba diving, sailing, and windsurf. It has high-level hotels and restaurants that offer a varied menu, apart from the exquisite shellfish.

This city is really attractive and it has excellent services, as well as pretty central beaches surrounded by a beautiful and residential coast. The tourists of transatlantic cruises who stop here enjoy their stay and they are able to contemplate whales in their vital cycle.

How to get to Puerto Madryn

By Air

Several airlines travel from Buenos Aires to Puerto Madryn (daily services) and others to Trelew (daily service), the distance from either airport to the city being covered by transfer or taxi. The city has a deep water harbor where large cruisers from different parts of the world arrive regularly.

By Land

There are 1,400 km. distance between Buenos Aires and Puerto Madryn along National Highway N° 3 are covered by over ten long distance bus lines that connect the city with the rest of the country. The city has a deep water harbor where large cruisers from different parts of the world arrive regularly.

Tourist interest places

Peninsula Valdes

Located in the Northwest coast of the Province of Chubut, this Natural Protected Area, declared a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1999, constitutes the most important attraction of the Patagonian coast on account of its biological and geographical features.
Right Whales, elephant seals and sea lions, Magellan penguins, dolphins, orcas, numerous terrestrial fauna species and marine birds become the protagonists of the visit in a unique natural environment chosen by Nature lovers.

De los Pájaros Island

Some 5 km. (3 miles) away from this place, traveling along a gravel road towards the San Jose Gulf, you will come to De los Pajaros Island, an important marine bird’s colony. There is also a small interpretation center and telescopes as visits to the island are banned since 1974 due to its being an intangible zone.
A replica of the San Jose Fort chapel, destroyed by an Indian raid in 1810, has remained as a proof of the old Spanish settlement of 1779.

Puerto Piramides

Going back to provincial road N? 2 and after traveling for approximately 25 km, you will arrive to Puerto Piramides, the only village and service center in the Peninsula, where it is possible to undertake some adventure activities and take fauna watching boat trips (whales from June through December and sea lions in summer). A few minutes from this place, and following a gravel road, you may visit Punta Piramide, where a sea lion breeding colony and a cormoran rookery may be observed from December till March.
From Puerto Piramides to Caleta Valdes, Punta Norte or Punta Delgada you will travel along gravel roads for approximately 75 km. (45 miles) to arrive to each of the mentioned places.

Punta Delgada

There is at this Southern End of the Peninsula an elephant seal colony that can be seen from the public outlook point from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Caleta Valdes

An important geographical feature formed by a 30 km long land strip and inner islands offering a very beautiful landscape. A considerable elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) colony has settled on this place. They may be observed from lookout points located on the cliff and the interpretation path leading to the creek mouth. During the reproduction and breeding season, orcas can be seen in the area. Only 2 km away, heading North, a small Magellan penguin colony can be found (from September to March, approximately).
The area has restaurant, toilet and handicrafts shop facilities.

Punta Norte

There is an important reproductive colony of Sea lions (Otaria flavescens) and elephant seals. The unit has an Interpretation center, a store and toilets. This is a likely area for sighting orcas from October through April, concurrently with the presence of sea lion and elephant seal newborns. The ideal time for visiting this point is at high tide; this information may be required when accessing the Protected Area.

Punta Loma

This reserve was created on September 29, 1967, by the Provincial Law N? 697, thus becoming one of the first fauna reserves of Chubut conservation system. Drive along Brown Boulevard towards the Southeast, past the University and turn right to take the gravel access road to the sea lion area. After a 14 km ride, you will get there and upon paying your entrance fee, you will have access to the outlook point situated on a cliff looking down on the Golfo Nuevo from where an important number of South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) can be observed.
There is also a path along which the typical area flora can be observed and interpreted. It should be noted that this reserve can be visited all the year round, bearing in mind the low tide times. Following along the same gravel road a further 3 km, you will arrive to Avanzado Mountain beach which received that name from the surrounding landscape: millions of years-old sedimentary hills laden with fossil oyster and marine vertebrate remains.
Returning to Puerto Madryn along the same road, it is possible to stop at the different beaches bordering the gulf: Playa del Pozo, Playa Parana, Punta Este and Playa Kaiser. This is an ideal course for those who practice mountain bike.
Remember that the reserve should be visited at low tide – see the time table in the local papers or inquire at our Office.

Punta Tombo Natural Protected Area

Established as a Natural Protected Area in 1979, it is the habitat of the largest Magellan Penguin colony in the World, with a total 175,000 reproductive pairs that constitute a focal point for local and foreign visitors.
The largeness of the area (290 ha.) permits the cohabitation of several bird and both marine and steppe mammal species, such as cormorans, seagulls, skuas, guanacos, maras and rheas.
The opening of the season is determined in accordance with the first penguin arrivals, approximately in the early days of September and it lasts until the beginning of April. Ask for information before starting on your tour-
Source: Punta Tombo Natural Protected Area Management Plan – A Participative Planning process.
How to get there
Leaving Puerto Madryn towards the South along National Route N?3 and after driving for 112 km, past the city of Trelew, one arrives to the National Route N?75 crossroad. A 21 km drive along this macadam road will take you to NR N?1 and, after a further 38 Km, you come to Punta Tombo Natural Protected Area.
To enter the area, an entrance fee shall be paid. Visitors are received by fauna keepers at the parking area where they shall leave their vehicles and walk for approximately 1,000 m to find the first specimens. There are toilets and restaurant and bar services in the area.
The tourist paths are easy to travel down to a coast of matchless beauty due to the reddish volcanic rock outcrops that offer a contrast with the open sea blue.
    
Chubut River Lower Valley (VIRCH)

Rawson-Playa Union-Trelew-Gaiman-Dolavon- Florentino Ameghino Dam

Returning along the same route and then transferring on to NR N° 25, one can opt for the coast and a visit to Rawson, the capital city of the province where the attraction lies with museums and some public buildings.
Continuing the tour to the port, used by the “yellow float”, there is a possibility of either taking a Commerson’s dolphin watching trip (see timetable) or going to Playa Union, a seaside resort with open sea beaches. Taking that same route towards the Chubut River Lower Valley, you will be able to visit Trelew, the industrial and commercial center of the area, to know Egidio Feruglio Paleontological Museum and the Lewis Town Regional Museum.
Continuing westwards along Route 25, you will find Gaiman 14 km away from Trelew. This is an old Welsh colony which keeps its traditions as can be seen in the Museum, the railroad tunnel, tea houses and Welsh chapels.
35 km further on, along the same route, one arrives to Dolavon, also founded by Welsh settlers, where the first flour mill of the area is still working. The irrigation system and the first chain pump wells of the early colonial times can alsobe seen.

Alter a 93 Km ride, one gets to Florentino Ameghino dam, a dike that controls the Chubut river flow rate. The rocky walls that border the river course and the mirror-like surface of the dam constitute a different landscape within the Patagonian steppe. In the summertime, recreational, fishing and adventure activities are performed at this site. The village has camping, accomodation and catering services.

Doradillo

El Doradillo is 15 km away from Puerto Madryn and covers a 3 km wide, 25 km long area running parallel to the coastline, extending from Punta Arco till Prismatico Mountain.It was created in the year 2001, under the UICN Management Category V “PROTECTED LAND AND SEA AREA”, by municipal ordinance n? 4263/01. In the year 2003, the Doradillo Protected Area Management and Development Plan was made, where the required strategies and actions to attain the objectives of such creation are established.
The main attraction is the land-based watching of Southern Right whales (Eubalaena australis) that gather there every year between June and October to mate and nurse their calves. The coast features make the sighting more attractive, since these enormous cetaceans can be sighted just a few meters off the shore. The endless scenic beauty and the privilege of being able to watch these marine mammals from the coast have turned El Doradillo into a unique place, very popular with residents and both local and foreign tourists.
The continental landscape is covered by steppe bushes, mainly quilembay and jarilla. The indigenous fauna is represented by huanacos, maras, foxes, skunks and other species typical of this semidesertic ecosystem. There are significant cliffs in this area which become natural lookout points from where it is possible to watch the littoral landscape with its huge abrasion platforms (restingas). Water erosion has worked significant gullies into the plateau and one can have a glimpse of the geological profile of the place.
The characteristics of this area permit to perform, in addition to the typical recreational activities of a sea side resort (sun, beaches, trekking, and mountain bike), other activities such as photography and bird watching.
El Doradillo is a quiet, isolated place practically unaltered by human intervention, which allows visitors to enjoy a wild environment and invites landscape contemplation.
El Doradillo Natural Protected Area has a staff of Conservation Agents who are in charge of the control and protection of the area, enforcing the conservation rules that tend to assure that good care is taken of the place. They also work to create awareness in and give information and assistance to visitors.

Systematic patrolling of the area is undertaken to check on the public beach and access road conditions, the signal boards, and compliance with the rules applying to the activities that may or may not be done in the area.

Recommendations

- Before starting on the full tour of the Peninsula, it is advisable to refuel at the gas station located in Puerto Piramides.

- Drivers are warned to be extremely careful on gravel roads and not to exceed the recommended highest speed (60 km/h)

- Drivers are reminded to keep their lowlights on and that the use of seatbelts is mandatory.

- Pay attention to loose animals (sheep, horses, huanacos) on both sides of the road.

- The ecosystem is highly vulnerable to fire, particularly during the summertime. Do not throw away lit cigarette butts and make sure that you put out the fires completely.

- Abide by the rules, in this way you will not only avoid accidents but will be able to enjoy the area beauty as well as its flora and fauna.

Recommendations to be taken into account during a visit to a protected natural area

- When entering a Protected Natural Area, remember that the natural environment should be respected and be ready to use and enjoy it responsibly, contributing to its conservation and abiding by the applicable rules in force.

- The fee you pay for to enter these areas is used for their maintenance.

- Before starting on your tour around the area, make sure to get enough fuel and drinking water supplies.

- Remember to use your seat belts and drive very carefully on gravel roads, bearing in mind that at a lower speed you will be able to enjoy the scenery and appreciate the flora and fauna more fully.

- To observe the fauna, walk only along the paths prepared for such purpose in the areas where it is permitted to do so.

- Make sure that you put out your cigarette butts completely before throwing them into the litter bins in order to avoid fires. Remember that vegetation is highly combustible in these areas.

- Do not bring any weapons or guns into the protected area.

- Help to keep the area clean and, whenever possible, take your litter back with you into town. Otherwise, put it into the litter bins trying to prevent bags and papers being blown away by the wind.

- Clear any doubts with the fauna keepers. They are there to help you and see to your safety.

Useful information

Secretaria de Turismo - Municipalidad de Puerto Madryn
Address: Av. Julio A. Roca 223
Phone: (+0054) 02965 - 453504 / 456067 / 470750
(9120) Puerto Madryn - Chubut - Patagonia Argentina