Punta Tombo — Local services in Chubut Province

Punta Tombo — A Dream Come True Experience for Our Family

Visiting Punta Tombo was one of the most magical and unforgettable parts of our 22-day South America and Antarctica cruise. Since our cruise ship stayed overnight at the port, we had the opportunity to take a full-day excursion to the reserve. The drive from Puerto Madryn to Punta Tombo took about two and a half hours each way, and while it was long, it was more than worth it.

Along the way, we passed a massive dinosaur statue near Trelew — a replica of the Patagotitan mayorum, one of the largest dinosaurs ever discovered. It was such a fun and unexpected stop and a great way to break up the drive. Our daughters loved seeing it and learning that real fossils were found in the area.

Once we arrived at Punta Tombo, it truly felt like we had stepped into a nature documentary. We were surrounded by thousands of Magellanic penguins, many just a few feet away from us. Watching them waddle around, build nests, and interact in their natural habitat was absolutely incredible. None of us had ever seen penguins this close before, and it felt like a dream come true.

Our daughters were completely mesmerized. Seeing the joy on their faces as they quietly watched the penguins was one of those parenting moments you never forget. They talked to the penguins, counted them, and asked a hundred curious questions — they were in awe the entire time.

We also had our first sighting of guanacos, which added even more magic to the day. These beautiful wild animals are related to llamas and alpacas and roam freely through the reserve. They were graceful, calm, and such a beautiful addition to the natural landscape. It felt like nature was putting on a show just for us.

The entire setting was peaceful and inspiring. You walk along wooden paths that keep you close to the wildlife without disturbing them, and the views of the coastline and open landscape are stunning.

Punta Tombo is not just a wildlife viewing experience — it is a powerful reminder of how beautiful and precious the natural world is. If you are traveling with children or are a nature lover yourself, this place will stay in your heart forever. It certainly...

Es maravilloso ser Argentino y poder vivenciar un lugar como este, donde la naturaleza le muestra al ser humano, la convivencia en comunidad de estos emplumados de apenas unos 54 cm de alto, los pingüinos de Magallanes. Se llega a esta reserva recorriendo unos 21 km de la RP75 que se ingresa desde la afamada Ruta 3. Al cabo e esta se retoma unos 11 km de la Ruta 1 (hasta acá todo asfalto con muchas curvas y pendientes o descensos a los qué hay que respetar). Luego de ello, se ingresa a la reserva de “Punta Tombo” donde restan unos 24 km ripio consolidado y mantenido que de momentos permite una circulación de 60 km, eso si, cuando dice bajar a 40 km hacerlo y más todavía, si viene un auto del carril opuesto al circulante, baje su marcha ambos serán beneficiados. Uno, porque seguirá teniendo una buena visibilidad sin tanto polvo y no se llevará una posible piedra en el parabrisas, el otro podrá obtener la misma benevolencia. Mantener la distancia prudencial con el que precede, es otra gran ventaja, no será llenado de polvo y evitará formar una cortina de invisibilidad al resto. Al término de este recorrido, se sacan los ticket de acceso y se puede ingresar a un sector que cuenta la historia del joven emplumado, fotos, cortes de madriguera, esqueletos, y figuras en yeso suspendidas del techo que muestran cómo se desplazan. Al término se encuentra un restaurante y una casa de venta de regionales alegóricos que en mi caso estaba cerrado pese a ser medio día. Desde allí se debe volver a ir en vehículo 1 km más adelante de ripio donde se encuentra la reserva pingüinera. Cosas a tener en cuenta: no ir sin un rompevientos o abrigo liviano (estuve en febrero con 25 grados a pleno sol y soplaba un fresco viento), llevar protector solar, una buena cámara fotográfica (estos chiquitines no paran de sorprender con gestos, o cruces), si llevan mate o algo de comer, no se permite hacerlo dentro de la recorrida. Si hay niños, que necesitan cochecito, solo hay un tramo de unos 500 metros de sendero con maderas, después los espera un camino ondulante de pequeños cantos rodados lo que hace fatigosa y por momentos inmanejable la situación. No se pasen del alambrado con los brazos tratando de obtener una foto mas cercana serán advertidos, hay guardaparque en todo el kilómetro de sendero. Se atraviesan dos puentes de madera de baja complejidad y al final del recorrido se llega a dos miradores de la playa desde la altura. Si su problema es una movilidad reducida, es solo anunciarse al ingreso de este recorrido (ojo no tirar los ticket y tenerlos a mano serán solicitados nuevamente en este acceso) y los guardaparque le harán más viable la recorrida. Yo vi que se ofrecen sillas de rueda de buen porte y hasta un vehículo eléctrico con camilla y auxiliar médico. Hay cuatro bancos en lo largo del sendero. Si se cruzan en su andar con pingüinos, por favor, respetar lo que le indican al ingreso, déjenlos pasar y no los atosiguen tratando de...

February 2023: Puerto Madryn was our next port - we booked a private tour intent on recording those most pleasing penguins. Two to two and a half hours later, with a short stop to look at an enormous plastic dinosaur - a life-sized replica of bones discovered in the area, we arrived.

Punta Tombo is a natural breeding ground for Magellanic Penguins, they love it here so much so that there is estimated to be around a million of them; they are everywhere. A boardwalk has been constructed for guests that has been roped off from the nesting adorable birds. Having said that they [the penguins] walk everywhere so it is not unusual for your path to be blocked by 'Penguins Crossing', pelicans beware. Plenty of photo and video opportunities so there is no need to rush. Unsteady under foot in places, bring walking footwear and a hat - the penguins will...