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The Valdes Peninsula, located in the Province of
Chubut, was discovered by Fernando de Magallanes in 1520, while he
was traveling along the Patagonian coast, although it didn't become
populated until the end of the 19th Century by some families of
pioneers and Welsh immigrants. The peninsula is similar to an
enormous island that penetrates into the Atlantic, and is only
attached to the continent by the Ameghino Isthmus. Its climate is
dry, with a hot summer and cold winter.
Surrounding the peninsula you can find numerous small towns and
villages, with the city of Puerto Madryn being the main tourist
attraction. The other ones that stand out are Trelew, Pirámides
Port,
located in the peninsula, and Punta Delgada.
The area is world renowned for right whale watching, a season that lasts from May to December. In
addition, it's possible to see orcas, Commerson's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus
Commersoni), dark dolphins, elephant seals and sea lions, penguins
mainly in the penguin habitat of Punta Tombo, and many species of
marine birds.
The excursions leave from Piramides Port and travel along the
coast before heading out into sea, not before passing La Loberia
where a permanent colony of sea lions live. You can also visit
the Punta Piramide Reserve, colony of one species of sea lion.
The attraction to this region is not only in the sea, as there
are a number of excursions that travel to La Pampa (the
grasslands), where you can observe other wildlife such as guanacos,
foxes, and hares. Excursions leave from Madryn Port and head for the
Chubut River.
Another alternative is rural tourism, with visits to legitimate
Patagonian dwellings where you will be able to observe traditional
activities such as sheep shearing, and
enjoy a delicious roast.
Madryn Port is the entranceway to the Peninsula,
owing its name to the Baron of Madryn from Wales, and was founded
in 1885. It is a city with an excellent tourist infrastructure, in
which they still conserve many of the traditional customs from
the Welsh colonization. In the city you can go on trips in
catamarans, sailboats, barges, or kayaks, and also thanks to the winds,
you can try windsurfing. Puerto Madryn is considered the scuba
diving capital of Argentina and will allow you to go on dives suitable
for amateurs or professionals.
In the city of Trelew, the most populated in the region, you can
visit one of the most important pale ontological museums in South
America.
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Location
Province of Chubut, on the Atlantic coast.
When to go
All year long.
Attractions
Ecology.
How to get there
By plane to Trelew or to Puerto Madryn by bus.
Activities
Whale watching from the water and from land, water sports,
excursions, diving.
Services
Accommodations, restaurants, transportation.
Surroundings
Puerto Madryn, Trelew, Chubut River.
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