Puerto Deseado

Information

It is a town located in the northeast of the province of Santa Cruz in Argentina. It is very far from large cities, in fact Caleta Olivia is the closest one about 212 km away. It has services such as a tourist information office, fuel station, ATM, supermarkets and a variety of accommodations.

It is situated on the northern edge of the mouth of an estuary, where the Ria Deseado meets the sea. The area of the ria is part of a natural reserve with abundant wildlife, ideal for those who enjoy observing wild species. Both the ria and the sea coast can be accessed and explored:
— The ria can be toured by means of two vehicular routes. These allow access to different parts of its shore, with areas where inlets are formed and others from which islands can be seen. There is also the possibility of taking boat trips offered in the city.
— Along the marine coast there is a gravel road that functions as a circuit, where caves can be found with names such as Cueva de los Leones (Cave of the Lions) and Cueva del Indio (Cave of the Indian). In one area, at low tide water deposits are formed called Las Piletas, and further ahead is Point Foca from where the sea can be seen on both sides right and left. Among all these attractions there are wide beaches, generally not very crowded.

In the town you can walk along its waterfront. In particular, at Point Cascajo there is a place prepared for taking souvenir photographs in a frame that bears the name of the city, and from there you get an excellent view of the point where the ria meets the sea. Near that place is Ramón's pier with a beach beside it. An interesting fact is that during the last moments of the afternoon, in this area penguins and even sea lions are often seen passing through the water, and when there are not many people they sometimes come out and appear on the sandy shore.

There are museums to visit. One is the Mario Brozoski Museum, which exhibits original pieces, illustrations and videos that tell the story of an English ship that sank in the river in 1770 and was found in 1982. Another is the Museo Ferroviario (Railway Museum), located in the old station of a train that stopped operating many years ago, where photos, illustrations and objects related to the history of that railway are displayed.

Something unmissable for those who enjoy nature is the excursion to Isla Pingüino (Penguin Island). It is a trip that includes a boat ride to an island with sea lions and a large number of birds. The most striking feature is the presence of two species of penguins, among them the Southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) which is not found in any other penguin colony on the continental part of the country.

To get to Puerto Deseado:
— By car: the access route is National Route 281, along which you must travel 124 km to connect with National Route 3 which serves as a link to other towns and cities.
— The nearest airport is Comodoro Rivadavia about 300 km away.