Punta Tombo

" Punta Tombo is a narrow rocky strip of about 3 km long and 600 m wide that juts into the Atlantic Ocean. The pronounced geographical feature has originated in an outcrop of crystalline rock, of prejurassic origin, which has resisted marine erosion. On this substratum, areas of boulder and - mainly - large areas of very fine, compacted sand are ideal for penguins to dig their nests. Vast areas of the ground are literally "mined" with shallow caves, where the penguins lay their eggs and raise their chicks year after year. The gentle slope of these beaches also facilitates land travel for the birds, which several times a day make the journey between the nests and the sea to feed. The penguins, although alert to human interference, are not frightened and do not leave their nests, so the interaction is very direct. To avoid accidents and harm to the animals, since the creation of the reserve, walkways have been built to allow visitors to move around without the danger of collapsing the caves in their path. 100000 tourists were registered in the 2015-2016 season. "

"This is about a 3 hour drive from Puerto Madryn, down some paved and some dirt roads. There is a nature reserve here dedicated to the protection and preservation of the supposed millions of Magellen penguins that make their way here every year. The Magellen penguins arrive in late September to breed. The babies are born in late November. There is a funny lack of logic when arriving to the reserve. You park in a temporary lot, then walk 10 minutes down a dirt path to the ticket booth and visitor center. Once you get your tickets, you walk the ten minutes back to the car, and drive just 1km down the road to park again and enter the reserve. There is a restaurant next to the visitor center where you buy tickets. There is also a cafeteria at the front entrance to the reserve. Prices (as of October 2022): Foreigners: 2300 pesos; children: 1100 pesos Nationals: 900 pesos; children/retired: 500 pesos Residents: 400 pesos"