Puerto Madryn Cruise Port
Puerto Madryn, Chubut, U9120
Located on the northern coast of Argentina’s Patagonia region, Puerto Madryn is the gateway to Valdes Peninsula, a popular marine wildlife viewing destination. The peninsula is home to a large population of the endangered southern right whales, dolphins, elephant seals, penguins, and more. Puerto Madryn is also a jumping-off point for exploring Punta Tombo, Argentina’s largest colony of Magellanic penguins.
The basics
Travelers arriving at the Puerto Madryn cruise port often head out on a full-day excursion to the Punta Tombo Penguin Preserve. Other options include a day trip to the Valdes Peninsula where you can visit the sea lion colonies, hop on a whale-watching boat tour, or hike along the coastline. Wildlife tours typically include round-trip transportation from the Puerto Madryn cruise terminal.
If you’d rather stay closer to Puerto Madryn, opt for a tour of the Welsh settlements of Terlew and Gaiman to learn about the region’s Welsh history and traditions. You can also visit the Trelew Paleontological Museum and view hundreds of fossils and artifacts from the Patagonia region.
Things to know before you go
- Puerto Madryn is a popular port of call on Patagonia cruises.
- Famous for its wildlife preserves, Puerto Madryn is a must-see for marine life lovers.
- Nov.–Mar. is prime penguin viewing season in Puerto Madryn.
- Sep. and Oct. are the best times for whale-watching off the coast of Puerto Madryn.
How to get to Puerto Madryn from the Puerto Madryn Cruise Port
Cruise ships dock at the Almirante Storni Pier, which is 4 miles (6.5 kilometers) from downtown Puerto Madryn. Taxis are the easiest way to get to Puerto Madryn from the port, and shore excursions typically include round-trip transportation from the cruise terminal. Small cruise ships may dock at the Luis Piedra Buena Pier, which is a short walk from downtown.
Port information
Spanish is the main language spoken in Puerto Madryn. English may be spoken by tour guides and those in the travel industry, but it can be helpful to know a little Spanish. The official currency is the Argentinian peso, and ATMs are widely available throughout town.
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