Atlantic Patagonia

This beautiful Patagonian region (which skirts the Atlantic Ocean and sits just east of the Lake District and above Southern Patagonia) consists of wildlife havens and quaint Welsh villages. Here, you'll spot tea connoisseurs flocking to towns like Trelew and Gaiman in search of the perfect brew and throngs of visitors congregating to Peninsula Valdés during whale-watching season. The easiest way to reach Peninsula Valdés is via bus or car from Puerto Madryn or Trelew, Atlantic Patagonia's main cities. Mar y Valle, a reputable bus service, offers transportation to Peninsula Valdés from Puerto Madryn for about $16.50 ARS (roughly $3.75) each direction.

Punta Tombo wildlife sanctuary, located about 154 miles south of Puerto Madryn, is also worth a trip. Here you'll find dozens of charming Magellanic penguins mingling along the shores. To reach Punta Tombo, drive southbound on RP 1, which leads to the sanctuary.

Trelew is less congested than other Atlantic Patagonian villages. Here, you'll find an infusion of Welsh culture with traditional tea houses and Eisteddfod, a Welsh literary and music festival established in Patagonia in 1875. Visitors also come for the broad selection of nearby sites, including the Egidio Feruglio Museum of Paleontology. The best way to reach Puerto Madryn and Trelew is via plane. For further details on how to get around Atlantic Patagonia, consult our guide to Getting Around Argentine Patagonia.