Argentina – Puerto Madryn & Peninsula Valdes

Puerto Madryn is a small city on the Atlantic coast. It’s the closest city to the Peninsula Valdes (except Piramides but that’s more a tourist trap hole than a city!).

The city itself doesn’t have much to offer in terms of activities or entertainment. But you can walk on the beach or watch the beautiful sunsets.

Peninsula Valdés

The most important activity is: the Peninsula Valdes!

I would suggest you rent a car at the airport (around 1200 pesos a day) as the taxi ride is already 200 pesos one way from the airport and the peninsula is so much nicer when you can go where you want and when you want.

For the peninsula, plan at least a full day, if not two! Depending on the time of the year, some roads will be open or closed, and some points will be interesting or not to go to. You can ask the information desk at the entrance and they will very kindly tell you where to go and at what time. The entrance fee is 415 pesos per person + 30 pesos per car, per day. You can sleep in Piramides if you want to avoid paying a second day and doing the trip back and forth with Puerto Madryn (it’s about 1 hour away).

In the reserve you’ll be able to see so much animals! Keep your eyes open while driving, they are everywhere: guanacos, different birds, armadillos, lizards, rheas, etc. And in the water, depending on the season: flamencos, penguins, cormorans, elephant seals, sea lions, orcas, dolphins, whales, etc. And the flora is also nice to sea! A sort of mix between desert and green bushes.

Snorkeling with sea lions

Depending on the month, I recommend the BEST experience I’ve had so far on my trips and, I think, in my life.. snorkeling with sea lions! I was unfortunately not at the right time to see whales or orcas in Puerto Madryn. But I had an awesome timing for sea lions as the mothers give birth in January so the cubs are swimming on their own and curious about humans by May (if you go in June they are apparently even more playful). I went with Lobo Larsen for 2000 pesos (cash) + 500 for the dry suit (don’t judge, it’s almost winter so the water and air are freezing cold!). You can also but the video and pictures for 400 per group (take it it’s worth it!!). We started early in the morning to catch the sunrise colors over the ocean, a short 30 min boat ride to the natural reserve of Punta Loma where they were waiting for us. Literally! You could see all those little heads in the water looking at us. When you get in the water, it’s a bit scary at first, they are wild animals after all. But the guide goes towards them and makes you feel comfortable. Once you get use to the sea lions, and especially once they accept your presence, you can really swim with them, play, pet them. They will very slowly bite your hand or flippers (they smell with their mouth) and then swim all around you. The feeling is sensational! I would roll over and they would follow me, doing the same, like we were playing a game. I will never forget this experience.. and the 45 minutes felt like 5!

Restaurants

Unfortunately, I didn’t eat very well here so I will not recommend any restaurants.. I just enjoyed Del Viento, a coffee place where the coffee was good as well as the scones and ice cream (my dad recommends the mascarpone flavor).