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PENINSULA VALDES Places & Hotels

PENINSULA VALDES
San Lorenzo:
Estancia San Lorenzo is located on the northeastern corner of the peninsula, on the shores of the San Matias Gulf. Here is the most important Magellan Penguin Colony on the peninsula. There are also elephant seals. A circular trail gives you plenty of opportunities to watch the prancing, the discussions and disputes, the nest making activities of these little fellow. You will also see Guanacos, Maras (Patagonia hares) and Rheas. There is a restaurant (not located close to the penguin rookery) where you can sample the traditional lamb BBQ.

Punta Norte:
This Natural; Reserve offers a refuge to elephant seals and southern sea lions during their reproduction period. For this reason, it is also a spot chosen by  the orca to feed. There is a tourist information center and interpretative trails.

Caleta Valdes:
Located 27 miles south of Punta Norte, this pwculiar landform is a Natural Reserve under permanent surveillance by park rangers. It is an inlet formed by sea flooding and now separated from the ocean by an 18-mile strip of sand. This is an effective protection for the populations of sea mammals, birds and other specious indigenous to the Patagonia arid land. Here you can see Magellan penguins (Oct-Nov nesting), sea lions (Dec-Jan breeding season) and elephant seals.

Punta Delgada:
Located in the southeast tip of the peninsula, the lighthouse (faro) of Punta Delgada, stands 230 feet above the ground and sheds its light 28 nautical miles into the sea. On the surrounding shores lies one of the largest colonies of elephant seals. Steps lead down the cliffs to the beach for excellent viewing of elephant seals in season. In addition, guanacos, rheas, armadillos and other wildlife can be seen on the peninsula; wildlife viewing is at its maximum during October-November. Punta Delgada is also the location of a  "hotel de campo" and restuarant complete with bar, boutique and horse stables.

Salinas:
Almost in the center of the peninsula are three large dried salt lakes or marshes - Salina Grande, Salina Chica and Salitral. These deep depressions go as low as 130 feet below sea level and were an important part of the commercial development of the area during much of the 19th century.

PUERTO PIRAMEDES
Puerto Piramedes is the only town on the peninsula. It is a small,quaint town of 450 permanent inhabitants that swells with visitos during whale season, and offers the only boat excursions for seeing the southern right whale (Eubalaena australis), which frequent the shallow waters of Golfo Nuevo and Golfo San Carlos between mid=May & mid-December to breed and bear their young. It is  also an excellent site for windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving and fishing.

TRELEW
With a population of over 90,000,  it is the province's second largest city. It's history is closely related to Welsh communities that settled in the area beginning 1865. It has a good regional museum and the oldest standing Welsh chapel built in 1880 with a simple interior and the cemetery has the graves of many early settlers. But a major visitor attraction os the MEF, Museo Paleontologico Egidio Feruglio, regarded as one of SOuth America's most important centeres for Paleontological research. It has a one-of-a-kind dinosaur colelction. The airport is nearby.

PUERTO MADRYN
Puerto Madryn (pop 80,000) is a port on the Golfo Nuevo and was the site of the first Welsh landing in 1865 by 153 Welsh immigrants. It boasts several good museum, including the EcoCentro Mar Patagonia. Nearby are several important wildlife experiences:

• Punta Loma is just 15 miles from Puerto Madryn. There is a visitor center and an overview with good views. Here there are sea lion colonies, along with cormorants, giant petrels, gulls, terns, and snowy sheathbills.

• El Doradillo; From June to October, the area of El Doradillo is visited by hundreds of whales and their calves. Its calm and deep waters allow these huge cetaceans to swim extremely near the shore. This "on shore-watching" is a different option for whale watching.

GAIMAN
Located 11 miles west of Trelew, Gaiman (pop 6,000) is the largest symbol of Welsh communities in Patagonia. Surrounded by farms, chapels and houses of traditional Welsh style, Gaiman manages to keep the atmosphere of a small, quiet village. The inhabitants take pride in their tea houses, serving tea prepared to an ancient recipe that gives it a unique flavor, accompanied by fine, home-made confectionery and pastry. Many tea houses are historic houses and are filled with relics and pieces from the original immigrants from Wales.

PUNTA TOMBO
Punta Tombo, a five hundred acre wildlife reserve (71 miles south of Trelew; 110 south of Puerto Madryn) is the world's largest colony of Magellan penguins on continental land, giving refuge at times to more than a half a million individuals. This Natural Reserve lies within the bundaries of Estancia La Perla, a privatge ranch, and is under the permanent custody of the reserve's rangers.

The season is September through March, with January & February the time when the young are taking to the water. The park closes April - September.