Wildlife Watching on Acantilados Route

Information

The Ruta de los Acantilados (Route of the Cliffs) in Río Negro is a good place to see Patagonian wildlife.

Among the birds, the most abundant species is undoubtedly the burrowing parrot (Cyanoliseus patagonus), as individuals of these parrots can be seen practically all along the route, and even on beaches with cliffs there are numerous colonies. The Hellmayr's pipit (Anthus hellmayri), the southern martin (Progne elegans) and the elegant crested tinamou (Eudromia elegans) are also common. Sometimes you may come across some greater rheas (Rhea americana) or lesser rheas (Rhea pennata, like a smaller rhea).

Moving on to mammals, there are colonies of South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) along the beaches of La Lobería and Punta Bermeja.

You can frequently see chaco tortoises (Chelonoidis chilensis) crossing the road. IMPORTANT: It is recommended not to disturb them and obviously not to take the tortoises with you, as they are an endangered species.