Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
357
Tips
Getting to the Ecocentro
There are four ways to get to the Ecocentro, which is 3km (1
3
/
4
miles) south of the
center of town. The fastest is by taxi, which will cost around $5 (£2.75). If you
have an hour or so, and it's a nice day, walk down the coast to the south, just
over the point on the horizon to the museum. Or rent a bike and pedal for about
30 minutes in the same direction. For about 50¢ (35p), you can take the local bus
no. 2 from downtown. It will drop you off just down the hill from the Ecocentro.
En route, you'll also pass the Punta Cuevas historical monument to the Welsh set-
tlers as well as the Tehuelche Monument to the area's original inhabitants.
Remember, Ecocentro is open mainly in the af ternoon.
to kill, ho wever, grab a bike or walk up the lo vely beach r oad or str oll the shops along
Roca.
Ecocentro
The newest museum in the region is more like an interactive learning
center, where you can educate y ourself on the marine ecosystems of A tlantic Patagonia.
I recommend coming to Ecocentro on your first day in Puerto Madryn, after settling into
your hotel and befor e heading out to the P enínsula Valdés. The vie w of the ocean is
exquisite fr om this lo vely modern building, and the nautical and topographical maps
afford deep insight into this r egion. A tank r e-creates a tidal pool, wher e you can see
species that inhabit the coastal areas. A soundtrack plays whale sounds, and a good movie
about the Península Valdés explores the habits of Magellan penguins in Punta Tombo, as
well as local elephant seals and sea lions. Ask for the E nglish-language handbook to get
even more out of your visit. You'll need about 2 hours to visit Ecocentro. A very pleasant
on-site cafe serves snacks.
Julio Verne 3784.
&
2965/457470.
w ww.ecocentro.org.ar. Admission $8.50 (£5.75). Year-round daily
5-8pm; summer also 10am-1pm. Hours can fluctuate; call to confirm hours.
PUNTA TOMBO NATIONAL RESERVE
Most visitors spend a day on the P enínsula Valdés and then a day at P unta Tombo
National Reserve, the second-most-visited attraction in A tlantic Patagonia. The largest
sanctuary for M agellan penguins, P unta Tombo is 248km (154 miles) south of P uerto
Madryn, a 2-hour trip . Every year from September to A pril (the par k is closed M ay-
Aug), up to a million of these penguins return to Punta Tombo to mate. Visitors are able
to walk just a few feet away from thousands of penguins guarding their nests. Baby pen-
guins are visible in December and January. Bird lovers will enjoy views of king and rock
cormorants, giant petrels, kelp gulls, and oystercatchers as well.
The drive from Puerto Madryn is all highway , until y ou pass Trelew; then y ou head
south on RP 1, a monotonous grav el road that seems to go on for ever. The entrance to
the national r eserve is clearly mar ked, and the entrance fee is $17 (£12). B e sur e to
observe all the posted signs (stopping y our car is strictly pr ohibited except in the desig-
nated par king lots). Walkways and handrails point y ou in the right dir ection as y ou
explore. Veering off the trail is pr ohibited, as is going do wn to the beach. There is a
cafeteria at P unta Tombo, but consider bringing a picnic instead. You'll need about 2
hours to visit the r eserve and obser ve the penguins. Tour operators r un trips daily for
about $75 (£51), and some stop for tea in G aiman (see later in this chapter).
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