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Looking for things to do in Puerto Madryn? You’re in luck!
Puerto Madryn, Argentina is a beautiful seaside town located only a stone’s throw from the Peninsula Valdés and right in the middle of one of the largest whale breeding bays in the world. This makes it a wildlife mecca!
Swimming with sea lions and walking with penguins are just a few of the cool things you can experience here, but you want to make sure you’re going with a reputable company. That’s why we’ve put together the guide below, to help you choose the best experiences available so that you have an amazing time!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE activity in Puerto Madryn is swimming with sea lions! On this fun 2.5-hour tour you will get to go into the ocean to interact with sea lions in their natural habitat.
Check out the 280+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here.
Tip: This is the most popular thing to do in Puerto Madryn – reserve your spot now and get free cancellation up to 24 hours before you go!
BEST Things to do in Puerto Madryn
1. Swim with the Sea Lions!
Sea Lions are described as the dogs of the sea – because they are so playful and curious! Swimming with them is something every wildlife-lover needs to do at least once in their life! So, while you’re in Puerto Madryn this would be my number one thing to do!
When you go swimming with the sea lions on this tour you will be taken out on a boat at Punta Lomo. Here, you will gear up in a warm wet suit before jumping in the cold water. The sea lions are curious about people and they will come over and say hi. No need to lure them with food or anything, they just come over on their own!
This was one of the highlights of my time in Argentina. Seeing animals is one thing but being able to interact with them is a whole different experience. We saw so many sea lions, but the area is also home to dolphins, penguins, and whales – so keep your eyes peeled!
Swimming with the Sea Lions will set you back about $140 USD. Anyone over the age of 6 can participate and you don’t need to be able to swim for this tour as floatation devices are provided.
This tour is super popular and has hundreds of 5-star reviews, so make sure you are booking it in advance so you don’t miss out on this unique and fun experience!
Check availability and secure your spot in advance here!
2. View Wildlife in Penninsula Valdes
As an animal lover, I had to visit the Peninsula Valdes during my time in Argentina. This area is located just outside Puerto Madryn and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its abundant wildlife.
The best way to visit is on a guided tour such as this full-day wildlife adventure. This is the tour we did and we can’t recommend it enough! Not only do you spend a ton of time exploring Peninsula Valdes, but there is also an option to go whale watching.
We were very happy we chose to add on the whale watching experience. There were so many whales! And we were even lucky enough to catch a mother with her baby who was born only a few months earlier.
We then headed off to a beach where the Elephant Seals mate. These guys were amazing to see (although they don’t move much) and we spent a long time watching them.
After that, we went to my favorite place, the penguins! We got the opportunity to get within 1 meter (3.2 feet) of these beautiful animals and see them taking care of their nests. We also saw llamas, rheas (similar to emus), and an armadillo, so make sure your camera’s ready to take some unreal photos!
The tour costs $192 USD without whale watching, or you can choose to add it on for an additional fee (which we highly recommend). The price includes Puerto Madryn hotel pick-up and drop-off, a professional guide, and entrance to Carlos Ameghino Isthmus Interpretive Center.
Read the glowing reviews and book this tour here before it sells out!
3. Walk with Penguins in Punta Tombo
Punta Tombo is home to over one million penguins! Yes, you read that right – one million! It is the largest penguin colony in all of South America. With so many penguins all in one spot, you’re guaranteed to see them, and a lot of them at that!
The only downside is that Punta Tombo is a 3-hour drive from Puerto Madryn. So to visit, we highly recommend doing this organized day tour. That way you don’t have to drive and can relax during the long commute and take in the incredible Patagonian landscapes.
Once you arrive, you will wander around the boardwalks with penguins on either side of you. You might even be able to snag a selfie with one!
This tour also offers the chance to go out on the ocean to view Overas Toninas dolphins. This is one of the few places in the entire world where you can see them and watching the dolphins play alongside the boat is such a magical experience. If you don’t decide to do the dolphin watching, you will get to explore the port town known as Puerto Rawson instead.
The price for the penguin experience alone is $192 USD, and if you choose to add on the Tonias experience it costs $365 USD. If your budget allows it, we think adding on the Tonias Watching experience is worth it, I mean you’re already going all the way out there!
Read more about this incredible experience and reserve your spot here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
4. Explore Beaches in a 4×4 Truck
There is so much rugged off-the-beaten-path beauty in this part of the world, so we think the best way to explore is on a 4×4 truck.
On this fun half-day tour, you will explore Puerto Madryn and the surrounding area in a 4×4 off-roading truck. You will access beaches that not many others get to see, and take in beautiful landscapes along the way.
We even drove all the way up to the top of a hill at one point and had incredible panoramic views while we enjoyed some coffee and tea.
This tour is perfect for adventure seekers looking for a unique way to explore. It costs $110 USD per adult and any age can participate, making this a great family activity.
Check the schedule and reserve this 4×4 adventure here!
5. Visit El Pedral
El Pedral is a historic Patagonian Ranch that today is actually a museum! Here, you can learn about the history of the region and the estancia before seeing penguins!
You can book this day trip from Puerto Madryn to El Pedral which includes a stop at the Elephant Seal colony, lunch, tea, the penguin tour, and use of the pool at the Estancia. It is a much more relaxed type of day tour while still showcasing awesome wildlife with a touch of history.
Yes, this is a historic experience combined with wildlife! At El Pedral there is a penguin colony of approximately 5,000 Magellanic penguins. Sure, it isn’t one million like Punta Tombo, but they are still awesome to see!
The good thing about El Pedral is that it is only 75 kilometers (47 miles), about an hour’s drive from Puerto Madryn. This means less time driving and more time exploring!
Check prices and availability for this tour here!
Getting to Puerto Madryn, Argentina
Puerto Madryn is somewhat remote, located along the Atlantic coast of Argentina almost exactly between the cities of Buenos Aires and Rio Gallegos.
You can reach Puerto Madryn by bus, driving yourself, or by airplane.
There is a small airport in Puerto Madryn, but flights are not very common and only domestic. 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Puerto Madryn is the town of Trelew where there is a larger international airport. You can catch a bus from Trelew to Puerto Madryn.
Bus travel is common in Argentina and very comfortable. In fact, this is what we did. We took a bus from Buenos Aires directly to Puerto Madryn. Then, we left Puerto Madryn on a bus to Rio Gallegos to continue our travels in Patagonia
Tip: You can search for buses to Puerto Madryn on Bus Bud. This website shows you all of the companies operating your desired route as well as the price. You can book securely online and even pick your seat!
There are also shuttle routes from popular cities that reach Puerto Madryn through Bookaway.
Argentina is also a great country to travel to with a rental car! We actually rented a car in Patagonia on our most recent visit and loved every minute of it! Plus, rental cars are cheaper than you probably think. Use the website Discover Cars to search for an awesome deal.
Where to Stay in Puerto Madryn, Argentina
There are tons of options when it comes to where to stay in Puerto Madryn. Right in town, there is everything from vibrant hostels, to quaint guest houses, to luxury hotels! So, no matter what you’re budget and travel style, you’re bound to find the perfect accommodation in Puerto Madryn!
Here are some amazing choices for every budget for places to stay in Puerto Madryn:
Luxury Hotels in Puerto Madryn – $$$
Hotel Penninsula Valdes
This hotel is located right in town and offers views of the ocean. Imagine, whale watching from your room! they also have a gym, a wellness spa, and a bar. All rooms include a full American breakfast.
Hotel Territorio
This hotel is perfect for those looking for a luxury, quiet, getaway. Located 6 kilometers (3.7 mi) from the city center this hotel is in a relaxing area while still being within walking distance to restaurants and only 50 m (160 ft) from the beach! There is a bar, gym, and spa in the hotel, and breakfast is included in the room rate.
Comfortable Guesthouses & Hotels (mid-range budget) – $$
Complejo El Puente
This place offers fully equipped apartments. That means, for about $65 USD a night you can get a studio apartment with a full kitchen! There are also larger apartments available for larger groups. This place is super clean and located right in the town center only 100m from the beach!
Hotel Tolosa
This hotel is modern and fresh. It has beautiful decor and an amazing price of about $80 USD per night. The location is only 250 meters (820 feet) from the beach right in the center of town. There is even a bar in the hotel to enjoy a late-night glass of wine after a day of exploring Puerto Madryn!
Budget Hostels in Puerto Madryn – $
La Tosca Hostel
This is where we stayed! It is one of the cheapest in all of Puerto Madryn but actually is very comfortable and highly rated. They have both dorm rooms and privates as well as a large garden and courtyard for hanging out. They also have two large kitchens for cooking! It’s a great place for meeting other travelers. You can book La Tosca Hostel on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Hostel La Casa de Tounens
This hostel is less pricey than La Tosca, but it is still a decent place to sleep! This hostel has lots of places to hang out and socialize and there is even a pool table and a fully equipped kitchen. They have dorm beds available as well as single and double rooms some with shared bathrooms and some with private. For between $18-$40 USD it’s of really good value.
Planning your Trip to Patagonia
Accommodation in Patagonia
Booking accommodation is one of the biggest aspects of your trip, and we should know as we stay in a new hotel up to 40 times per year! Funny enough, we make 99% of these bookings on one website and that’s Booking.com – and there are a few reasons why we use this site!
Number one is the website is easy to use and sorts accommodation options. That takes the stress out of planning which honestly still affects us and we do it more than not.
Second, is the price guarantee. We have literally booked a hotel months before and then 1 week out found it cheaper (we always do a quick search), and they’ll match that price from anyone’s website including the hotels!
And third, is the Genius loyalty program. If you make a certain amount of bookings per year you get a Genius discount. We are level-two geniuses because we make more than 5 a year. At participating hotels, we get things like free breakfast included, early check-in, and up to 15% off.
You can check out all their accommodation options throughout Patagonia!
Renting a car in Patagonia
We enjoyed a rental car for our second trip to Patagonia – and wow, what a way to travel! But the best part was that we only paid $40 USD per day for a 5-person sedan!
But how? Well if you’re renting a car the cheapest company is Discover Cars. We often get questions from readers asking us if the website is fake because it seems too cheap! The truth is, they are a great company that we actually used for our own rental car.
If you do want to compare prices (and you should) do a quick search on Airport Car Rentals too. They’re another big competitor and each company often has its own deals to offer!
Tours in Patagonia
We love booking our tours on the website Viator! Not only does it make it super easy because you can compare tours all in one place, but it is safe and you can pay in your home currency (so you’ll save on currency conversion fees from your bank!) On top of that, you can check reviews from other travelers so that you know exactly what you are getting.
Most tours on Viator also offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts, which we love! Being flexible when we travel is super important to us.
You can browse Viator easily online here.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading our blog! I hope you are excited to visit Puerto Madryn, Argentina, and have a few ideas on how to have an excellent time here!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out or comment below – we’re more than happy to help!
If you’re traveling more, be sure to check out our collection of Argentina blogs as well as Patagonia blogs! We have tons more helpful guides to help plan your trip.
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