Every year, over half a million Magellenic penguins migrate to the coasts of Argentina to breed, and the largest of these colonies (after Antartica) is located in Punta Tomba, about a 2-2.5 hour drive south from Puerto Madryn. Jed and I, along with three lovely Dutch girls, rented a car to drive to the park yesterday. The journey there, in and of itself, was pretty awesome.. completely flat landscape of sand and short, dry shrubbery - an expanse that looked as if it extended forever.
You are not allowed to eat, smoke, or drink mate within the park, so we had a picnic lunch in the parking lot before entering. The park is comprised of boardwalks and dirt paths where you are literally able to get within feet of the penguins. We took our fair share of penguin photos, beyond ecstatic at our close encounters, until you realize that they are everywhere... literally. A 360 spin will reveal hundreds of thousands of penguins in every direction - waddling across the paths, sleeping in dirt holes, bathing in the sun, swimming in the Atlantic, or huddling under the many bridges you walk across in the park.
Some shots from our day are included below.
Practical information: Renting a car from Puerto Madryn will run you about 350-480 pesos depending on whether it is for 4-5 people (this includes 400 km but if you book from Centaurio Rent a Car and mention Get South (a guide book) you can get an additional 100km free per day. Gas will cost 90-120 pesos roundtrip based on the size of the car and it is just about 400km roundrip, 450km if you plan to make a stop in Playa Union to try and see the dolphins. Entrance fee to the park is 35 pesos per person, unless you are an Argentine national. The park is open from 8am-8pm and takes about 2-2.5 hours to drive there from downtown Puerto Madryn. Other options to get there include: a tour from Puerto Madryn (150-180 pesos, not including park entrance fee.... to get the cheaper price, book directly from the tour agency, not a hostel) or taking the bus to Trelew (10 pesos) and renting a car from there.
Every year, over half a million Magellenic penguins migrate to the coasts of Argentina to breed, and the largest of these colonies (after Antartica) is located in Punta Tomba, about a 2-2.5 hour drive south from Puerto Madryn. Jed and I, along with three lovely Dutch girls, rented a car to drive to the park yesterday. The journey there, in and of itself, was pretty awesome.. completely flat landscape of sand and short, dry shrubbery - an expanse that looked as if it extended forever.
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