| Puerto Madryn is a pleasant Atlantic seaside town | | | | of the Welsh in Patagonia. |
| famous for its close proximity marine wildlife and easy | | | | Whale tours can be taken from places such as the |
| access to it. Located in the north east of the | | | | Puerto Piramides. Boat tours start along the coast |
| Patagonia region of Argentina, it can be called the | | | | before heading out to sea to look for whales. Boats |
| gateway to Patagonia. Puerto Madryn is the main | | | | will normally stop out in the ocean and cut the engines, |
| town in the Valdez Peninsula, a natural axe shaped | | | | silence reigns except for the interruption of a few |
| cove that comes inland from the Atlantic Ocean. | | | | seagulls. Usually the whales appear, providing a |
| What makes Puerto Madryn so unique is its Welsh | | | | fantastic sight and experience. Seeing these fantastic |
| heritage, including the use of the Welsh language in | | | | creatures in the wild is truly an experience. |
| some places along side Spanish. The reason for this | | | | You can visit all year round to see all the wildlife along |
| being that the town was originally settled by immigrants | | | | the coast. Remember that Argentina is in the Southern |
| from Wales in the UK. | | | | Hemisphere so summer here is December to |
| It attracts many visitors because of its premium | | | | February. It begins to go cold around April as the region |
| location for Whale watching in the Atlantic and wildlife | | | | prepares for the snow season in the Mountains. You |
| watching on the coast. Valdez peninsula is marked by | | | | are relatively close to the Antarctic so the winter |
| its vibrant coastline, stunning array of tall cliffs, rocky | | | | months require warm clothing. During the breeding |
| reefs, and exotic marine mammals. Many animals line | | | | season (September to December) you can usually get |
| the shore such as the southern elephant seal, sea lion, | | | | much closer to the whales, penguins and seals. |
| and southern right whale. Year after year, animals | | | | Getting to Puerto Madryn is relatively easy, but |
| return to these calm, protected waters to mate and | | | | remember that the Patagonia region is huge. The |
| raise their young. Large colonies of sea lions, | | | | distances between towns are vast so plan a good |
| magellanic penguins, and elephant seals lay side by | | | | route. Short and long distance buses operate from |
| side along miles of coastal beaches, while southern | | | | Puerto Madryn to other places around Patagonia as |
| right whales harbor in the gulfs. | | | | well as Argentina. The same also applies to flights, but |
| Puerto Madryn itself has a attractions for visitors other | | | | they are less regular. The most regular flights are in |
| than the range of nearby wildlife. You are able to take | | | | and out of Trelew, 60km south. Flights also need to be |
| a coastal stroll to El Indio, a statue to mark Welsh | | | | continually confirmed as domestic routes tend to be |
| gratitude to the natives of the region to aided in the | | | | overbooked or delayed. Argentinean buses are a |
| towns survival in the Early years. There is also a local | | | | good option and many long routes offer night services |
| natural science and oceanography museum as well as | | | | with surprising comfort. |
| a small centre for people with an interest in the study | | | | |