Argentina

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Valdes Peninsula

Whales, sea lions and wild Patagonian coast

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Valdes Peninsula Plan a trip around Argentina

Best time to visit: Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct, Nov
Currency: ARS
Time zone: UTC-3
Country: Argentina

Photo: Ezequiel Ignacio Vera, CC BY 4.0

Península Valdés is a UNESCO-listed nature reserve on the Atlantic coast of Chubut, Argentina, known for southern right whales, sea lion and elephant seal colonies, penguins and orcas. Visitors come for wildlife watching, empty steppe landscapes and the small seaside town of Puerto Pirámides.

Largest cities

Buenos Aires
Córdoba
Rosario
Mendoza
La Plata

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Argentina
Capital: Buenos Aires
Town population: 500
Population of Argentina: 47.3M
Country area: 2,780,400 km²
Official language: Spanish
Currency: Argentine Peso (ARS) · 1 USD ≈ 1,516 ARS
Time zone: UTC-3
Calling code: +54
Drives on the: Left
Elevation: 68 m
Plugs: C / I · 220V
Emergency numbers: 911 · 100 (fire) · 107 (ambulance)
Best time to visit: Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct, Nov

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	28°	26°	23°	18°	14°	11°	11°	13°	16°	20°	23°	26°
Low	16°	15°	13°	11°	7°	5°	4°	5°	7°	9°	12°	14°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$53
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$130
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$290

Plan a trip to Valdes Peninsula

Top things to do

≈ $70
Southern right whale watching from Puerto Pirámides
Boat trips from the village harbour get close to southern right whales in Golfo Nuevo between May and December; book ahead and take motion-sickness precautions.
- Half day
- Puerto Pirámides
- Good for kids
≈ $15
Punta Norte sea lion colony
A cliff-top viewpoint over one of the peninsula's largest sea lion colonies, with elephant seals nearby; the gravel road is long, so allow half a day.
- Half day
- Punta Norte
- Good for kids
≈ $15
Caleta Valdés elephant seals
A long inlet with boardwalks and viewpoints over elephant seals and sometimes orcas offshore; bring binoculars and wind protection.
- Half day
- Caleta Valdés
- Good for kids
≈ $15
Punta Delgada Magellanic penguins
A small settlement and lighthouse area with access to penguin colonies and coastal views; the colony is active mainly in the warmer months.
- Half day
- Punta Delgada
- Good for kids
Free
Puerto Pirámides village and beach
The peninsula's only town has a short seafront, dive and tour operators and simple restaurants; a good place to unwind after a day in the reserve.
- Half day
- Puerto Pirámides
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $5
Península Valdés interpretation centre
Exhibits on the peninsula's wildlife, geology and history near the reserve entrance; useful for context before touring the coast.
- Half day
- Puerto Pirámides
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $25
Full-day loop of the peninsula
Drive or join a tour covering the main wildlife points from Puerto Pirámides to Punta Norte and Caleta Valdés; carry fuel, water and food as services are scarce.
- Full day
- Caleta Valdés
- Good for kids
≈ $20
Puerto Madryn and Punta Loma day trip
Combine the mainland city's waterfront and museums with the Punta Loma sea lion reserve; it is the main base for flights, buses and supplies.
- Full day
- Puerto Madryn
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening

Before you go

Entry and visas

Many visitors, including British citizens, can enter Argentina visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days, but rules depend on nationality and some nationalities pay a reciprocity fee on arrival at Ezeiza. Passports must be valid for the planned stay, and immigration no longer stamps passports, so contact the Argentine Migration Office if you need proof of entry or exit. Check the official Argentine migration site or your nearest Argentine consulate before travelling.

Official website

From the airport

Most travellers fly into Puerto Madryn (El Tehuelche Airport, about 1 hour from the peninsula) or arrive by long-distance bus from Buenos Aires, Trelew or Comodoro Rivadavia. From Puerto Madryn it is roughly 1.5 hours by car to Puerto Pirámides and the reserve entrance.

Getting around

There is no public transport inside the reserve, so most visitors use a rental car, a guided tour or a hired driver to reach the wildlife sites and the whale-watching port.

Local tips

Bring layers and windproof clothing: the peninsula is windy and can be cold even in summer, with frosts in winter.
Carry cash in Argentine pesos for entrance fees, fuel and small shops; card payment can be unreliable in remote areas.
Respect wildlife viewing rules: keep distance from sea lions, elephant seals and penguins, and follow guide instructions.
Book whale-watching and accommodation in advance for the May–December whale season and the January–February high season.