Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn is the jumping point to visit Península Valdés, the famous wildlife reserve of Patagonia. Read about things to do in Puerto Madryn, how to get to the city and the main attractions in the region.

Puerto Madryn, located at the shore of the Patagonian East Coast was founded in 1865 by a 150 group of Welsh that started to populate the area in 1886. Welsh, Spanish and Italian immigrants worked together to build the railway that would connect Puerto Madryn to the city of Trelew, where today sits the nearest airport. After a period of economic recession, between the ‘60 and the ‘70, the city experienced a second growth characterized by a significant internal and foreign inmigration flow.

Today, though the railway it’s no longer used, many travelers fly to Trelew and stay in Puerto Madryn to visit the incredible natural reserve of Península Valdés, the most important wildlife hub of Patagonia. The start of the place if the southern right whale, which arrives at the coast of the Península (but can be also seen from the very coastline of Puerto Madryn!) once a year, between June and December. Penguins, elephant seals and fur sea lions are other main characters of this natural spectacle.  

Attractions
Attractions

Attractions

Eating & Drinking
Eating & Drinking

Eating & Drinking

Tips & Advice

How many days should I stay in Puerto Madryn?

We recommend at least 2 nights so you can do 2 full day explorations. 

When is the best time to visit 

Puerto Madryn can be visited all year round, but the wildlife living in this area isn’t around all year. Like the whales, they arrive late June in the bay of Puerto Madryn and stay until mid-December. Whereas, the penguins are settling down during the Argentine spring and summer from September until March. The sea elephants and the sea lions are permanent residents and can therefore be spotted all year round.

 

How to get to Puerto Madryn

Flight: Puerto Madryn has an airport but still most of the flights arrive in Trelew, 65 km south. Be ready for this one hour driving upon arrival.

Bus: There are buses from Buenos Aires to Puerto Madryn and the trip takes about 19 hours.

Self-drive: If you like this style of travel this destination is perfect for independent road travel. We recommend vehicles suitable for gravel, as some roads in the peninsula are not paved.

Can I find ATMs in Puerto Madryn?

ATMs are located in banks, most of them, but are open 24hs. Each bank has a different fee that will charge you to use their system, plus your bank fee. We recommend bringing some dollar bills to exchange, so you have some cash to move around and then pay with Credit cards or use an ATM whenever you run out of money.  

What is the proper tipping?

In restaurants, it’s customary to tip about 10% of the bill. Note that tips can’t be added to credit-card bills, so carry cash for this purpose. For tour guides , estimate around USD 10/15 per person, for a full day tour and half of it for the driver. In hotels, you should tip porters for handling bags:USD1.00 for every two bags, same amount is calculated for drivers if they help you with your suitcases, the housekeeping (between USD0.50 – 1.00 per night), and the concierge staff if the have helped you to arrange dinner reservations, transportation or leisure activities. In Argentina we don’t regularly tip taxi drivers.

How much money can I spend per day in Puerto Madryn? 

Around USD 50/100 per day, per person for daily expenses like eating, shopping and transportation, depending on how much money you want to spend on these.

Exchange money and using CC

Credit cards and US dollars are widely accepted in main cities. But it will be more convenient for you to exchange pesos rather than using US dollars because the rate that shops or restaurants use might not be the most convenient for you.  

What to include in your luggage

Depending on the time of the year different clothing is necessary. During the summer months (October to April) it is usually warm during the day and therefore light summer clothing is recommended. However, we do suggest you to bring a warm sweater or jacket to wear at night, since nights can get cooler.

In the winter months (May to September) the temperature drops to an average of 1 °C (34 °F) in June and July. When traveling to Puerto Madryn in these months you should bring warm winter clothing like a coat, a hat, gloves, thermal underwear, warm boots and a scarf.

Entrance fee to the National Park

Around Puerto Madryn are two national parks. Parque Nacional de Punta Tombo and Parque Nacional de Península Valdés. Both parks only accept cash payments in Argentine pesos. Credit or debit cards are not accepted. 

Punta Tombo: USD 7.-
Peninsula Valdes: USD 10.-

Wildlife

Puerto Madryn is the place where you can spot a large range of wildlife. The tour guides can bring you as close as possible to spot penguins, whales, sea lions or sea elephants. How does less than 3 meters away sound? You will even get wet if a whale jumps right in front of you!

Pick ups

Pick up at airports will be upon arrival of your flight, that’s why it is so important to have the most accurate and updated flight information. Our guide or driver will be waiting for you, outside baggage claim area, you will only have to look for a sign with your name on it. Pick up for tours will be at the reception desk/lobby of the hotels. At the end of your itinerary you will find the name and telephone number of each of our local representatives and our emergency phone number, where you can call if you have any urgency or a mismatch, so we can assist you during your trip.

Travel insurance

We strongly recommend that you purchase insurance. Travel insurance helps protect against unforeseen emergencies which can occur at any time. It also helps protect you against other circumstances like travel delay, lost or stolen baggage and personal items, missed connections and so much more. 

How many days should I stay in Puerto Madryn?

We recommend at least 2 nights so you can do 2 full day explorations. 

How to get to Puerto Madryn

Flight: Puerto Madryn has an airport but still most of the flights arrive in Trelew, 65 km south. Be ready for this one hour driving upon arrival.

Bus: There are buses from Buenos Aires to Puerto Madryn and the trip takes about 19 hours.

Self-drive: If you like this style of travel this destination is perfect for independent road travel. We recommend vehicles suitable for gravel, as some roads in the peninsula are not paved.

What is the proper tipping?

In restaurants, it’s customary to tip about 10% of the bill. Note that tips can’t be added to credit-card bills, so carry cash for this purpose. For tour guides , estimate around USD 10/15 per person, for a full day tour and half of it for the driver. In hotels, you should tip porters for handling bags:USD1.00 for every two bags, same amount is calculated for drivers if they help you with your suitcases, the housekeeping (between USD0.50 – 1.00 per night), and the concierge staff if the have helped you to arrange dinner reservations, transportation or leisure activities. In Argentina we don’t regularly tip taxi drivers.

Exchange money and using CC

Credit cards and US dollars are widely accepted in main cities. But it will be more convenient for you to exchange pesos rather than using US dollars because the rate that shops or restaurants use might not be the most convenient for you.  

Entrance fee to the National Park

Around Puerto Madryn are two national parks. Parque Nacional de Punta Tombo and Parque Nacional de Península Valdés. Both parks only accept cash payments in Argentine pesos. Credit or debit cards are not accepted. 

Punta Tombo: USD 7.-
Peninsula Valdes: USD 10.-

Pick ups

Pick up at airports will be upon arrival of your flight, that’s why it is so important to have the most accurate and updated flight information. Our guide or driver will be waiting for you, outside baggage claim area, you will only have to look for a sign with your name on it. Pick up for tours will be at the reception desk/lobby of the hotels. At the end of your itinerary you will find the name and telephone number of each of our local representatives and our emergency phone number, where you can call if you have any urgency or a mismatch, so we can assist you during your trip.

When is the best time to visit 

Puerto Madryn can be visited all year round, but the wildlife living in this area isn’t around all year. Like the whales, they arrive late June in the bay of Puerto Madryn and stay until mid-December. Whereas, the penguins are settling down during the Argentine spring and summer from September until March. The sea elephants and the sea lions are permanent residents and can therefore be spotted all year round.

 

Can I find ATMs in Puerto Madryn?

ATMs are located in banks, most of them, but are open 24hs. Each bank has a different fee that will charge you to use their system, plus your bank fee. We recommend bringing some dollar bills to exchange, so you have some cash to move around and then pay with Credit cards or use an ATM whenever you run out of money.  

How much money can I spend per day in Puerto Madryn? 

Around USD 50/100 per day, per person for daily expenses like eating, shopping and transportation, depending on how much money you want to spend on these.

What to include in your luggage

Depending on the time of the year different clothing is necessary. During the summer months (October to April) it is usually warm during the day and therefore light summer clothing is recommended. However, we do suggest you to bring a warm sweater or jacket to wear at night, since nights can get cooler.

In the winter months (May to September) the temperature drops to an average of 1 °C (34 °F) in June and July. When traveling to Puerto Madryn in these months you should bring warm winter clothing like a coat, a hat, gloves, thermal underwear, warm boots and a scarf.

Wildlife

Puerto Madryn is the place where you can spot a large range of wildlife. The tour guides can bring you as close as possible to spot penguins, whales, sea lions or sea elephants. How does less than 3 meters away sound? You will even get wet if a whale jumps right in front of you!

Travel insurance

We strongly recommend that you purchase insurance. Travel insurance helps protect against unforeseen emergencies which can occur at any time. It also helps protect you against other circumstances like travel delay, lost or stolen baggage and personal items, missed connections and so much more. 

Sustainability

Sustainability

Puerto Madryn

Local Businesses

 

  • Artisans’ fair

In the Comandante Luis Piedra Buena Pier. Every day. Products: woven products, local sweets and more regional products.

Address: 1 Guillermo Rawson Avenue

 

  • Fair of local producers

In front of San Juan Bosco University. Every weekend. Local products: wines, cheeses, cold cuts, honey, handicrafts, etc.

Address: 3051 Almirante Brown Boulevard

How to Help

 

Conservación Península Valdés

Conservación Península Valdés is dedicated to promoting the conservation of the wildlife and wildlands of the peninsula to ensure the perpetuity of their ecological and evolutionary processes with the strongest long-term protection guarantee possible. Propose wildlife-friendly and sustainable ranching practices that reduce the conflicts between humans and animals and help to conserve or restore core habitat. Encourage responsible ecotourism to generate awareness and dedication to conservation. Inspire care for nature, and work with local communities.

You can learn more about this project here.

 

Sustainability tips

 

  • Take your reusable bag with you when you go shopping.
  • Choose the consumption of local products from artisans and small producers.
  • Travel the city by bike or on foot, it is healthy and does not leave a carbon footprint.
  • When you go on an excursion, ask for food without plastic wrap.
  • Don’t leave trash in nature.
  • Take a reusable bottle with you to carry water in restaurants.
  • Don’t feed native fauna.
  • Use rechargeable batteries and batteries.