Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Reserva Natural Ría Deseado's diverse seabird population. The quiet villages of Puerto
San Julián and Camarones make for quiet seaside retreats, while Gaiman tells the story
of Welsh settlement through a lazy afternoon of tea and cakes.
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Puerto Madryn
0280 / POP 81,300
The gateway to Península Valdés, Puerto Madryn bustles with tourism and industry. It re-
tains a few small-town touches: the radio announces lost dogs, and locals are welcoming
and unhurried. With summer temperatures matching those of Buenos Aires, Madryn
holds its own as a modest beach destination, but from June to mid-December the visiting
right whales take center stage. From July to September, these migrating whales come so
close they can be viewed without taking a tour - either from the coast 20km north of
town or from the town pier.
The sprawling city is the second-largest fishing port in the country and home to Aluar,
Argentina's first aluminum plant, built in 1974. A sheltered port facing Golfo Nuevo,
Puerto Madryn was founded by Welsh settlers in 1886. Statues of immigrants and Tehe-
ulche along the shoreline pay tribute to its history. The Universidad de la Patagonia is
known for its marine biology department, and ecological centers promote conservation
and education.
