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Valdes Peninsula: Patagonia's Wildlife Paradise

Discover Patagonia's marine wildlife haven: whales, penguins, seals, and stunning landscapes await at the UNESCO-listed Valdes Peninsula.

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The Valdes Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Argentine Patagonia, is a haven for marine mammals and birds. This unique ecosystem attracts visitors with opportunities to witness southern right whales, orcas, elephant seals, sea lions, and Magellanic penguins in their natural habitat.

A brief summary to Valdes Peninsula

  • Chubut Province, AR

Local tips

  • The park entrance fee is ARS 30,000 for foreign residents (as of May 2025), allowing re-entry within seven calendar days.
  • Puerto Pirámides is the only town on the peninsula and the main hub for whale watching tours.
  • Whale watching season runs from June to December, with the best viewing opportunities from September to November.
  • Drive cautiously on the peninsula's gravel roads, typically not exceeding 60 km/h.
  • Fill up your gas tank in Puerto Madryn before entering the peninsula, as there are no gas stations within the protected area.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    Most visitors start their journey to Península Valdés from Puerto Madryn. From Puerto Madryn, take Provincial Route 2, which is fully paved, towards the Carlos Ameghino Isthmus, the entrance to the protected area. After passing the visitor center, continue to Puerto Pirámides, the only town on the peninsula. Note that after Puerto Pirámides, the roads turn to gravel. Drive cautiously and be aware of wildlife. The entrance fee to the Península Valdés Protected Natural Area is ARS 30,000 for foreign residents (over 12 years old). There is also a vehicle fee of ARS 1,700 per day.

  • Public Transport

    While there is no direct public transportation to Península Valdés, you can take a bus from Puerto Madryn to Puerto Pirámides. The bus company Mar y Valle operates this route from the Puerto Madryn Bus Terminal. The frequency varies from one to five daily services depending on the time of year. From Puerto Pirámides, you would need to hire a taxi to explore the rest of the peninsula. A taxi from Puerto Pirámides to other points on the peninsula will cost approximately ARS 160,000–200,000. Bus fare from Puerto Madryn to Puerto Pirámides is about ARS 2,000.

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Discover more about Valdes Peninsula

Península Valdés, a bulbous peninsula jutting into the Atlantic Ocean in Argentina's Chubut Province, is a protected natural area (ANP) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its remarkable concentration of marine wildlife. Connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, this unique landscape encompasses diverse ecosystems, from rugged coastlines and expansive beaches to arid steppes and salt flats. The peninsula's waters serve as a crucial breeding and nursing ground for the endangered southern right whale, attracting over 1,500 specimens annually. Visitors can witness these gentle giants breaching and calving from June to December, with peak season in August, September, and October. Besides whales, the peninsula is home to significant breeding populations of southern elephant seals and southern sea lions. A local orca population has developed a unique hunting strategy, intentionally stranding on the shores to catch sea lion and elephant seal pups. On land, the Valdes Peninsula offers sightings of Magellanic penguins, guanacos, maras, rheas, and various bird species. Several penguin colonies dot the coastline, with the largest at Estancia San Lorenzo. The peninsula's diverse flora includes over 130 plant species, with 38 endemic to Argentina. Visitors can explore the peninsula by car, following a well-maintained gravel road that loops around the protected area, connecting various viewpoints and wildlife observation sites. Puerto Pirámides, the only town on the peninsula, serves as a base for whale-watching boat tours and other excursions. The Carlos Ameghino Isthmus Visitor Center provides valuable information about the peninsula's natural history and ecosystems.

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