Puerto Madryn Welsh Heritage and Natural Reserve

Puerto Madryn – Porth Madryn - is a city located in the north east part of the province of Chubut in Argentina on the shores of Golfo Nuevo. It was built on the slopes of a hill reaching 120 m above sea level and has a population of 58,000 inhabitants.

Porth Madryn was the name given to the new settlement founded on July 1865 by a group of 150 Welsh immigrants who arrived in the ship The Mimosa. The origin of the name was Madryn - the name of the lands in Wales which belonged to Sir Love Jones-Parry, the father of the first idea of a Welsh immigration and settlement in Puerto Madryn. The settlement developed as a result of the works of the railway track built by the immigrants between Puerto Madryn and Trelew.

Puerto Madryn is a Welsh-speaking colony but the principal language is Spanish Castellano. The use of the Welsh language has declined over the years and in efforts to maintain it alive Welsh teachers are encouraged to come and teach it.

The names of the streets still reflect the origin of its first settlers. The Gaiman Welsh Village is one of the few remaining Welsh-settled places in Argentina that still maintain their tradition. The village is a 80-90 minute drive from Puerto Madryn.

It shows typical narrow streets with red brick buildings. The municipality building is the oldest of the province of Chubut. If you are lucky you will be able to listen to the traditional Welsh Choir, listen to poetry or seep a good old Welsh tea served in typical teahouses.

In 1965 Puerto Madryn celebrated the 100th anniversary of the colony. Many Welsh people came to visit and continue to come since then. Puerto Madryn's twin town is Nefyn on the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales. Both towns maintain great cultural links since the beginning of the Welsh settlement in Argentina.

Tourism in Puerto Madryn

It is a protected spot in the Golfo Nuevo which is created by the Peninsula Valdes and Punta Ninfas, and it is considered the gateway to the multiple natural attractions along the coasts of the peninsula.

860 miles south to Buenos Aires capital city, it is the main city of the Peninsula of Valdes which is one of the biggest sanctuaries of varied land and ocean fauna. The calm crystalline waters of the gulf provide excellent conditions for numerous diving sites kept by the environmental consciousness of the municipal authorities.

Capital of Patagonia Ecotourism

The Peninsula of Valdes has been declared Humanity's World Heritage by UNESCO, and is the place where you will find the most unique sites in the world for sightseeing of exotic maritime fauna, bird reserves, penguin colonies and beaches crowded by sea lions and elephants.

This is the home of the Southern Right Whale – Eubalaena Australis. This whale was hunted and was easily killed because it is a slow swimmer. The whales are in danger of extinction and are protected under the law.

The great majority of Southern Right Whales are watched in the Peninsula of Valdes. They come to Golfo Nuevo and Golfo San Jose every year between May and December to meet, date and mate. The female pregnancy is one year and the coming season, between June and October they give birth. The waters of the gulfs then become a whale nursery making it a spectacular sight.

A Walk in the City

The large coastal avenue can be walked up to the end. On one side endless beaches including all the services and facilities for the tourist: diving, windsurf, renting of tents and umbrellas. On the other side you will find hotels, guest houses and beautiful homes.

At the end of the coastal avenue you will reach the ACA municipal camping resort and the monument of the Indio Tehuelche.

This is the best panoramic view over the city, the port and the gulf. The site you are standing on is called Punta Cuevas and it is the very spot where the first Welsh immigrants disembarked from The Mimosa. There you can have a look at the caves which were the first houses of the new comers.

If you continue a bit further you will encounter the Ecocentro, a modern eco-enterprise for the study of the mysteries and wonders of the Patagonian Ocean and the maritime eco-systems. Scientists and investigators will be happy to answer to your questions such as "how to do you know how old is a whale?" or "how deep dives a sea elephant?"

Walking back to the center of town, in the intersection between 28 de Julio and Mitre, you will find the Plaza San Martin surrounded by the church and antique buildings.

Your visit to Puerto Madryn is not complete before you visit the Museo Provincial Oceanografica y de Ciencias Naturales

Climate

Climate

During the summer the day temperatures are high and can reach 40°C , but the evenings are chill and you should always carry something warm to wear.

Unfortunately it is wise to remember that the closer you arrive to the polar areas the more you are exposed to ozone damage and less protection from ozone layers. The means that you must wear sun glasses and use skin sun guard cream.

In winter the temperatures are low but it never snows due to the nearby ocean. There are also strong winds.

The average temperatures are from 10-13°C from June to August; 14-16°C from September to November; 17-20°C from December to April.

Animal Seasons:

Birds in general: Year round Whales: From May to December Sea Elephants: Year round Sea Wolves: Year round Pinguins: From October to March Dolphins: From December to March Orcas: From October to April

Among the land fauna you can observe all year round: Guanacos, Mares, Foxes and Partridges.

General Information

Other places to visit in Peninsula de Valdes:

Puerto Piramides Punta Tombo Punta Loma Nature Reserve Submarine Artificial Park

Lodging Puerto Madryn and all other locations in the Peninsula de Valdes offer great variety of options for lodging for every budget: Bungalows fully equipped Cottages fully equipped for vacation rent Apartment rent for 4-5 people, close to the beach Tourism complexes for apartment rent Daily room rent Huts and Cabins Hotels Guest Houses

Prices may vary according to lodging level:

$6.5 per person in hostels $12 for a camping parcel Starting from $35 for a cabin or apartment Hotel Double room - $50 - $ 140

Other prices:

Excursions: Vary according to distance: $7 - $250 including entrance fees. Excursions include: reserves, whole day trips, half day trips, diving, mountain bike, and farm-tourism.

Tourist average meal menu: starting $7

Car rent: $50 per day insurance included

Airport Transfer: $5 - $20

Flight: Buenos Aires-Trelew - $220

From Puerto Madryn to Chubut Adventure