How to get to Valdes
Getting around Valdes takes a little planning. Despite being served by two airports, all the best bits of the region are tucked away down long dirt roads or hidden at the end of …
Discover MoreDeep roots in Patagonia: We are ex-guides, tour leaders, outdoor enthusiasts, & adventurers.
We’ve got our feet on the ground: Impartial advice, a bespoke service, and at no extra cost.
For the ends of the Earth: Sustainability is more than our carbon footprint (but we’re reducing that too).
Deep roots in Patagonia: We are ex-guides, tour leaders, outdoor enthusiasts, & adventurers.
We’ve got our feet on the ground: Impartial advice, a bespoke service, and at no extra cost.
For the ends of the Earth: Sustainability is more than our carbon footprint (but we’re reducing that too).
The Valdés Peninsula and surrounding coastline are bursting at the seams with varied and unusual wildlife: southern right whales, elephant seals, penguins, orcas and more. Accommodation here is all about getting you out to see the wildlife, from remote, rustic ranches to comfortable tourist hotels.
The gateway to Península Valdés, and a wildlife destination in it's own right, Puerto Madryn is a great place to start your adventure in the Valdés region. The town is safe and welcoming, with long sandy beaches, a bustling port, warm summer temperatures, and of course the arrival of southern right whales from June - December. The whales come so close to the shore that they can be seen from the beaches/cliffs, or on a dedicated boat or kayak excursion. Most hotels in Puerto Madryn are of a fairly standard tourist class, but we do have a few top picks.
The most luxurious option in Puerto Madryn - a small hotel of 36 rooms, decorated in simple Patagonian style, with lovely views over the Golfo Nuevo.
Cosy fireplaces, big windows and beautiful views make for a lovely base from which to explore the area. If you're feeling lazy you can simply watch the whales cruise by from your bedroom window.
The hotel is located on the edge of town, so it's a 20-minute walk or short taxi ride to the bars, restaurants and local tour operators, but arguably worth it for the views and comfort of the property.
A contemporary mid-range hotel in an excellent location in the heart of town, right on the sea front, with panoramic views of the Golfo Nuevo. It is just a few minutes' walk from the beach, and has a spa, gym and bar.
Clean and comfortable, with excellent views of the Golfo Nuevo, the Dazzler is well situated in the heart of town, right on the sea front. It has free wifi as well as a fitness centre and spa. The best rooms are on the higher floors, with balconies to allow you to fully appreciate those sunsets over the bay.
Wherever you are staying, ask for a sea view - it's worth the extra cost to wake up to the sight and sounds of the ocean each morning.
A tiny town nestled beneath steep, sandy cliffs dropping off into clear blue ocean. Puerto Pirámides has a sleepy laid back feel, despite the number of tourists flocking there between June and December seeking southern right whale sightings. The two main streets are filled with hotels, restaurants and tour companies offering whale spotting and other wildlife adventures in the area. You won't find luxury here, but you'll certainly find a comfortable room for a night or two.
This eco-lodge won first prize in the inaugural 'Green Hotels of Argentina' contest and is just a five minute walk from Pirámides Beach.
It's set amongst lovely gardens and is close to all of the restaurants. There are eight double rooms, all with private bathrooms, and the ground-floor rooms have private terraces.
The buffet breakfasts are wonderful, including plenty of homemade produce, and the staff are extremely friendly and helpful.
An old colonial property, set in beautiful gardens, located just a few minutes' walk from Pirámides beach. The rooms are tastefully decorated and the on-site restaurant is one of the best in town.
An unbeatable location - walk straight on to the beach from your bedroom! This self catering accommodation has stunning views of Pirámides beach, and the ocean flanked by dramatic cliffs in the distance.
The accommodation is eco-friendly, and has a small kitchenette and sofa area allowing you to prepare meals at your convenience. Wonderful staff, modern design, clean and comfortable rooms.
Our top pick for remote, rustic ranches with vast private land to explore. The Valdés Peninsula juts out into the Atlantic ocean, creating two bays which are perfect shelter for the visiting southern right whales between June and December. The peninsula is also frequented year round by orcas, and there are numerous sea lion, penguin and elephant seal colonies here too. Accommodation options on the peninsula itself are mostly fairly remote, rustic ranches - here are our top picks.
Estancia La Ernestina is located on private land at Punta Norte, where the orcas come to hunt sea lion pups in March/April. The estancia has a private penguin colony with over 140,000 pairs, as well as sea lions, southern right whales and elephant seals on it's coastline.
Open from from 1st March to 10th May and 1st October to 1st December.
The top destination in the Valdés area for spending time among elephant seals. The property is located in the south of the peninsula, and has it's own private beach and walking trails taking you within metres of the elephant seals. The accommodation is cosy and comfortable, with views over the steppe.
The region's magnificent wildlife continues further south of Puerto Madryn, and there are some very special hotels dotted along the Atlantic coast. Most of these are fairly remote, and worthy of a few nights' stay to warrant the travel and allow you to fully appreciate the beauty and diversity of the flora and fauna.
A wildlife haven well worth the four hour drive from Puerto Madryn. Escape to the wilderness, with no phone reception and only generator powered electricity. Explore petrified forests, endless beaches, and diverse marine life on foot, by horse and by boat.
We can arrange transfers for you so that you have nothing to think about on arrival. Alternatively you can flag a taxi at the airport.
Some people enjoy the freedom and flexibility of driving themselves, and it can be a great way to cover lots of ground as well. That said, you need to be prepared for bad road conditions and long journeys, so people often prefer the comfort and convenience of pre-arranged transfers instead.
Puerto Madryn and Trelew are just a few hours by plane from Buenos Aires, which connects you to the rest of Argentina. People often like to combine a visit to Valdes with some time in Southern Patagonia, for example some hiking in Los Glaciares National Park, combined with some puma spotting in Torres del Paine, humpback whales in the Chilean Fjords, or King penguins in Tierra del Fuego.
Getting around Valdes takes a little planning. Despite being served by two airports, all the best bits of the region are tucked away down long dirt roads or hidden at the end of …
Discover MoreThe shores of Valdes provide visitors with a unique opportunity to kayak among the world's largest population of southern right whales, as well as sea lions, penguins, elephant …
Discover MoreThe Valdes region is the number one destination for wildlife in Patagonia. The peninsula is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the most important areas for marine mammals …
Discover MoreThe unique geography of the Valdes Peninsula has made it a haven for whales, and this is now one of the best places in Patagonia to see them. Rarely do whales make it quite so easy…
Discover MoreWe'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
Whatever your budget, group size, length of stay, preferred activity or appetite for adventure, we can help.
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