Marine Wildlife-Watching Paradise

Cruise to Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Cruises to Puerto Madryn, a small town in southern Argentina, are a great base for wildlife-watching trips. Especially popular is the nearby Península Valdés, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and nature preserve with mostly barren land from where you can spot a large variety of animals and seabirds. This area was where Welsh immigrants first landed in Patagonia in 1865 — some of the restaurants still serve Welsh-style afternoon tea! Statues of immigrants and the indigenous Tehuelche residents can be seen along the coast. The city nowadays mainly focuses on aluminum production, fishing, and tourism. While most travelers see the city as a gateway to nature, you'll notice during your cruises to Puerto Madryn, Argentina, that the town itself is worth a visit, too. It's also a popular beach destination in summer (December to February in the Southern Hemisphere) because of the mild climate. The beach is beautiful, but the Golfo Nuevo's seawater is quite cold, and the winds can be strong. A visit to this nature-rich area is definitely one of the best things to do in Puerto Madryn, Argentina.

National Language Spanish

Currency Accepted Argentine Peso ($)

Things To Do in Puerto Madryn

Puerto madryn patagonia argentina beach

Marine Museum

The Ecocentro is an excellent interactive museum in the south part of town, where you can learn more about the area's ocean life. It's a nice walk or bike ride along the coastal road. Enjoy panoramic views of the bay from the museum's tower. You may spot whales from here, so bring your binoculars. There's also a café and a souvenir shop.

Tehuelche Monument, Puerto Madryn, The Welsh Settlement, Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina

Heritage in Patagonia

Admire the view of the Golfo Nuevo at Parque Histórico Punta Cuevas. This is the place where the Welsh settlers arrived in 1865. The nearby small Museo del Desembarco (Museum of Disembarkation) tells their story. The Monumento al Indio Tehuelche statue was erected a century after their arrival to pay homage to the indigenous Tehuelche residents who predated European settlers by thousands of years.

Killer whale hunting sea lions on the paragonian coast, Patagonia, Argentina

Whales and Sea Lions

If you came to Patagonia to spot wildlife, make time for the Observatorio Punta Flecha, a whale-watching observatory north of Puerto Madryn on Playa el Doradillo. It's open at high tide when there are usually more whales. Or, take a boat from Puerto Pirámides, Península Valdés. The Reserva Faunística Punta Loma, southeast of Puerto Madryn, is a bustling sea lion colony where animals can be best seen during low tides.

Fried patagonia squid on a pillow of vegetables on a blue plate, on a wooden table

LOCAL CUISINE

Dig into some fresh seafood at one of the town's beachfront restaurants. The local specialty, arroz con mariscos, is a variant of paella with prawns, squid, and clams. Most restaurants offer grilled fish, calamari, and other seafood here, but you can also find roast lamb, burgers, pizzas, and salads. Note that prices in Patagonia are higher than in central and northern Argentina.

Old Train Station, Puerto Madryn, The Welsh Settlement, Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina

SHOPPING

You'll find several stores in the city center, where you can buy clothes and souvenirs, and also in Portal de Madryn, a small shopping center downtown. For books about this fascinating region — and if you need any English novels, guidebooks or maps — go to Boutique del Libro bookshop.