The city of Puerto Madryn is in the north east of Chubut Province in the Patagonia region of Argentina. The city is a popular summer destination for its beach. The beaches are beautiful though the water can be very cold and the wind impressive. It's also famous for whale-watching, with Southern Right Whales easily visible from the seashore outside of town during winter and spring (June to October).
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Puerto Madryn is on the shores of Gulfo Nuevo, a large deep water bay of the Atlantic Ocean. Its population is about 100,000. The city has been grown rapidly in the early 21st century mainly because of the expanding tourism industry, fishing, and Aluar-the aluminum refinery. Its unusual name comes from its history as part of Welsh Patagonia, an area that was colonized in the mid-1800s by settlers from Wales (see Trelew for more information). Puerto Madryn is the gateway to nearby Peninsula Valdes. The area was first populated by the indigenous Tehuelche people. The first Europeans to settle in the area were Welsh arriving in 1865.
Puerto Madryn has a city bus system. Taxis are numerous. Rental cars are available. If you take a bus from the Puerto Madryn terminal to Puerto Pirámides, there are no peninsula tours that leave or pickup from within the park, so it is better to book a tour from Puerto Madryn or go by car. Puerto Madryn to Puerto Pirámides: Daily @ 09:20, 17:00. And M, W, F @ 06:30. Puerto Pirámides to Puerto Madryn: Daily @ 11:00, 19:00. And M, W, F @ 08:15. Tel.: 0280 4450600 Price: AR$2,000 (Feb 2024)
For regular prices of tours, see below. 1 Punta Loma (17 km southwest of Puerto Madryn). This is a sea lion reserve. It can be reached by bike. The road is not paved and your bike may sink into the sand. On the up side, there are deserted rocky beaches (very lovely) if you take any of the side paths off of this sandy road. (updated Jun 2018) 2 Pinguinera Cabo Dos Bahias. Instead of the ridiculously overpriced Punta Tombo National Park (next listing), head here for an equally good experience and meeting with the penguins, for free. (updated Jun 2018) 3 Punta Tombo Pinguinera. 08:00-18:00. From Puerto Madryn daytrips run to Punta Tombo (200 km, 3 hr).
Whalewatching: This is probably the easiest place in the world to see the Southern Right Whale, which uses the waters of the Gulfo Nuevo for breeding and giving birth from roughly June through October. They can often be spotted far in the distance from the town beach and tourist pier, but the really special thing is how close they come to some beaches outside of town, where you can reliably watch them cruise by at 100 meters or less from shore - more than close enough for good views of such a big animal, even without binoculars.
There are many good seafood restaurants along the seafront where you might have lunch or dinner with a wonderful sea view. Almost all of them include a variety of menus. These include: Cantina El Nautico, Av Roca 790 (On the corner of Roca and Leopoldo Lugones), ☏ +54 2965 471404. AR$120 for meal for two with wine. Club Náutico, Bv. Almte Brown 860. Náutico Bistró de Mar, ☏ +54 280 445 7616. More seafood, and outdoor patio seating with ocean view. (updated Jun 2021) Malón Resto, Ave Roca 508, ☏ +54 280 445-5991. Italian seafood meals, offering gourmet dishes combined with a romantic atmosphere overlooking the sea. Here the prices are very high.
There are a good number of bars and clubs in Puerto Madryn. As in the rest of Argentina the weekend partying goes throughout the night. If you want to try local beer, Fika Cerveceria offers many different kind of beers.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
Top-rated tours and tickets from €107 — book ahead for the popular ones.
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In Jul, Puerto Madryn typically sees ~13°C daytime highs and 6 rainy days.
Flight prices are real fares travellers found in the last 48 hours, refreshed daily — the booking site confirms the final price. Train, bus and ferry fares are shown on the operators' booking sites. Weather data by Open-Meteo; exchange rates: ECB reference. Data updated 2026-07-30. Some links earn Stayonomy a commission at no cost to you.
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