Península Valdés, Argentina

Penguins along the shore at Peninsula Valdes, Argentina
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ping%C3%BCinera_Peninsula_Vald%C3%A9s.JPG
Author: Claudio Elias


Península Valdés is an important marine mammals conservation sanctuary in Argentina. It was turned into a World Heritage Site during the 23rd session of the World Heritage Committee, which met from 29 November to 4 December, 1999, in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Much of Peninsula Valdes is barren, safe for a few estancias where sheep are reared. The coastal areas are an important nature reserve.

What to See in Península Valdés

There is a high concentration of marine mammals in Peninsula Valdes including the endangered southern right whales. Other mammals found here include the southern elephant seals and the southern sea lions. Killer whales or orcas are also found here. Apart from mammals, there are penguins and other birds.

A pack of sea lions on the shore of the Valdes Peninsula in Patagonia, Argentina
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Robben-001.jpg
Author: Reinhard Jahn, Mannheim


The animals found further inland include rheas, guanacos and maras. The bird life documented in Peninsula Valdes totals 181 species, of which 66 are migratory.

Location of Península Valdés

Peninsula Valdes is in the province of Chubut, Argentina.

Península Valdés World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: S42 30 0 W64 0 0
Inscription Year: 1999
Type of Site: Natural
Inscription Criteria: X

Visiting Península Valdés

The gateway to Peninsula Valdes is Puerto Madryn. However, you should use Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, as your base. Find your accommodation in Buenos Aires, and then get your hotel to help you make arrangements to go to Peninsula Valdes. I recommend Buenos Aires rather than a smaller Argentine city, as you will have more options there. In Buenos Aires, there will be plenty of tour packages to choose from, according to the amount of time and your budget.

A Southern Right Whale surfacing at Peninsula Valdes
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Southern_right_whale4.jpg
Author: Michaël CATANZARITI

Getting to Península Valdés

You can book a tour to Peninsula Valdes from Puerto Madryn, the main town just south of the peninsula. The main town on Peninsula Valdes is Puerto Pirámides. However, there may not any tour agents in Puerto Pirámides, so it is safer to book the tour at Puerto Madryin.

List of World Heritage Sites in Argentina and World Heritage Sites in the World

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