Puerto Madryn is Argentina's ecotourism capital and the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site. Located on the Atlantic coast of Chubut province, Patagonia (lat -42.7692, lng -65.0385), this city of 120,000 inhabitants is world-famous for southern right whale watching (June to December), as whales approach its calm waters to mate and raise calves. Puerto Madryn also offers diving with sea lions at Punta Loma, urban beaches with translucent waters, penguin watching at Punta Tombo and observation of orcas, elephant seals and dolphins at Peninsula Valdes.
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
By Air
El Tehuelche Airport (PMY) is 7 km from downtown. Daily flights from Buenos Aires with Aerolineas Argentinas and JetSmart. Duration: 2 hours. Trelew (REL), 65 km away, is an alternative with more frequencies.
By Bus
Central bus terminal. Buses from Buenos Aires (18-20 hours, from USD 40), Bariloche (14 hours), Trelew (1 hour). Main companies: Andesmar, Via Bariloche and Don Otto.
What to See and Do
Southern Right Whale Watching
The star experience. Between June and December, hundreds of southern right whales arrive at Golfo Nuevo to mate and raise calves. Boat-based watching (1.5 hours) departs from Puerto Piramides, 100 km from Madryn, and allows you to get within metres of these 15-metre, 40-tonne giants. Price: USD 50-70. September-October is peak season.
Peninsula Valdes
UNESCO Natural Heritage site, 77 km from Madryn. Besides whales at Puerto Piramides, it offers elephant seals at Punta Norte and Caleta Valdes, one-hair sea lions, orcas beach-hunting (February-April at Punta Norte), guanacos and rheas. Full loop: 400 km (full day). Entry: USD 15-20.
Diving with Sea Lions
At Punta Loma (17 km from Madryn) you can dive and snorkel with one-hair sea lions in their natural habitat. The sea lions are curious and playful. Suitable for beginners. Price: USD 60-80. Season: November to March.
Best Time to Visit
- September-October: Peak whale watching. Best chances of seeing breaching and tail slaps. Cool weather (8-15 degrees).
- June-August: Start of whale season. Fewer tourists, lower prices. Cold (3-10 degrees) but sunny.
- November-December: Last whales, first penguins at Punta Tombo, sea lion diving. Pleasant weather (15-22 degrees).
- January-March: Summer, beaches, diving. No whales but sea lions, penguins and orcas (February-April). 20-30 degrees.
Practical Information
Accommodation
Hostels from USD 15-20, 3-star hotels from USD 50-80, seafront hotels from USD 120-200. Book ahead in September-October (whale season).
Budget for Activities
Whale watching: USD 50-70. Peninsula Valdes full day: USD 60-90 (with guide and transport). Sea lion diving: USD 60-80. Punta Tombo: USD 40-60. Multi-day combo packages available at a discount.
