Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
362
Argentine vacationers. But the main draw is the whale-watching trips. The cost is about $35
(£24) per person, but if y ou're staying o vernight, I encourage y ou to bargain with Captain
Pinino (see below) to arrange y our own excursion. Staying here also gives you best access to
the sunset whale-watching trips, which are beautiful. Sometimes you can even hear the whales
at night from your room. A few nights here will leave you relaxed and in touch with natur e.
Captain Pinino at
Whales Argentina
(
&
2965/495015;
www.whalesargentina.
com.ar) has the newest boat around, and he is fun and v ery experienced. There's usually
a group whale-watching trip at ar ound 10:30am daily, but he can arrange priv ate trips
later in the day as w ell.
For kayaking (in the summer), tr y either
Hydrosport
(
&
2965/495065
) or
Moby
Dick
(
&
2965/495122
). Even if you've never dived before,
Patagonia Scuba
(
&
2965/
495030
) will take y ou out for a first div e, and will take mor e seasoned divers for night
and deep dives.
WHERE TO STAY
Choices are limited in Puerto Pirámides, and prices are very high. There are a handful of
private campgrounds in town, but you'll need a tent. Camping is prohibited elsewhere in
the peninsula. For other alternatives, see “Where to Stay & Dine” in the Península Valdés
section, above. Rates listed here are for high season, September through March.
Las Restingas
The best and most expensiv e hotel in the r egion has 12 r ooms, 8 of
which are oceanfront with fantastic vie ws. If you're lucky, you might even spot a whale
from y our priv ate patio . The air y lobb y and adjacent dining r oom, with its exposed
stone, are pleasant, with an understated elegance. Rooms have tiled floors, wooden beds,
wrought-iron lamps, ceiling fans, and sliding French doors that overlook the ocean or the
village. Rooms have TVs, but no cable; instead you can borrow movies on DVD. I highly
recommend splurging for the sea vie
12
w; the other r ooms ar e dar ker and less cheer y.
Marble bathrooms have bathtubs.
1st right as y ou enter the village, Puerto Pirámides.
&
2965/495101.
www.lasrestingas.com. 12 units.
$182-$308 (£123-£208) double with sea view ; $150-$236 (£101-£159) double with village view . Rates
include breakfast and either lunch or dinner . AE, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar ; tour desk; room
service; laundry service; DVD library.
In room:
TV/DVD player, minibar, hair dryer.
The Paradise Hostería
A large brick building midway up the hill, the P aradise
is friendly and fun. Most of the rooms are basic, with clean and simple white bathrooms,
bright bedspreads, ceramic floors, and o verhead fans. I t is surr ounded by a lush gr een
garden. Their two suites ar e not cheap , but they ar e probably the best r ooms in to wn,
with lovely sea views and large Jacuzzis, which is somewhat gluttonous in a town that has
hardly any water access. Staff members are relaxed and helpful and treat guests like fam-
ily. The restaurant, full of seafaring knickknacks, is popular with locals and has a large
menu. Most evenings, it's the liveliest place in town.
2nd right as you enter the village.
&
2965/495030.
www.hosteriaparadise.com.ar. 12 units. $218 (£147)
double; $327 (£221) suite with Jacuzzi and sea view. Rates include breakfast. AE, MC, V.
Amenities:
Res-
taurant; laundry service; patio.
WHERE TO DINE
Las Restingas (see above) has the best restaurant in the village.
El Refugio
SEAFOOD The owner of this quirky restaurant-bar is a fisherman, so
you can be assured that what you're eating is fresh from local waters. Ask what he found
