Gaiman is a charming town of 8,000 inhabitants in the Lower Chubut River Valley, 17 km from Trelew, Chubut province (lat -43.2833, lng -65.4833). Founded in 1874 by Welsh colonists who arrived in Patagonia in 1865 aboard the sailing vessel Mimosa, Gaiman proudly preserves its Celtic cultural heritage: stone chapels, teahouses serving traditional Welsh tea with Welsh cake (dark fruit cake), fruit tarts, scones, jams and finger sandwiches on porcelain tableware. The most famous teahouse is Ty Te Caerdydd, where Princess Diana of Wales had tea during her visit on 25 November 1995. Gaiman is perfectly located to combine with a visit to Punta Tombo (penguins, 110 km) and Puerto Madryn (whales, 90 km).
Getting there — distances & times
| From | Distance | Flight | Bus | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires → Bariloche | 1640 km | 2 h 20 | 22 h | 18 h |
| Buenos Aires → El Calafate | 2700 km | 3 h 15 | 40 h | 35 h |
| Buenos Aires → Ushuaia | 3050 km | 3 h 35 | 50+ h | — |
| Bariloche → El Calafate | 1490 km | 1 h 45 | 28 h | 24 h |
| El Calafate → Ushuaia | 600 km | 1 h 15 | 18 h | 14 h |
Month-by-month climate
| Month | Temp. | Rain | Crowds | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8° / 22°C | 40 mm | High season | |
| Feb | 8° / 22°C | 40 mm | ||
| Mar | 6° / 18°C | 50 mm | ||
| Apr | 3° / 14°C | 70 mm | ||
| May | 0° / 10°C | 90 mm | ||
| Jun | -2° / 6°C | 110 mm | Ski season | |
| Jul | -2° / 6°C | 120 mm | ||
| Aug | -1° / 8°C | 90 mm | ||
| Sep | 1° / 12°C | 60 mm | ||
| Oct | 4° / 16°C | 40 mm | ||
| Nov | 6° / 19°C | 40 mm | ||
| Dec | 7° / 21°C | 40 mm |
How to Get There
From Trelew: 17 km west via RP 25, just 20 minutes. From Puerto Madryn: 85 km south, 1 hour. Trelew Airport (REL) receives daily flights from Buenos Aires (2 hours).
What to See and Do
Welsh Teahouses
The main activity and the reason most visit Gaiman. Welsh tea is a gastronomic and cultural experience: served at tables with tablecloth, porcelain tableware and platters of Welsh cake (dense dark cake with dried fruit, nuts and spices), cream tart, scones with jam and cream, homemade bread, finger sandwiches and tea in a teapot. Price: USD 10-15 per person. Famous teahouses: Ty Te Caerdydd (where Princess Diana had tea), Plas y Coed, Ty Gwyn (Gaiman's oldest, from 1890) and Ty Nain.
Welsh Chapels
Gaiman has several 19th-century Welsh Protestant chapels: Bethel Chapel (1880, the oldest), Salem Chapel, Tabernacl Chapel. Austere stone buildings with wooden interiors. Each year the Eisteddfod, a Welsh cultural festival, is celebrated.
Welsh Historical Museum
The museum (in the old railway station) displays objects, photos, documents and clothing of the Welsh colonists who arrived in 1865. Entry: USD 2-3.
Best Time to Visit
- Spring-Summer (October-March): Best time. Pleasant weather, flowering gardens. Combinable with Punta Tombo (penguins September-April).
- Autumn (April-May): Yellow poplars in the valley. Fewer tourists. Teahouses open.
- Winter (June-August): Cold but teahouses are cozy with heaters. Eisteddfod festival in October.
