Essential Information: Puerto Madryn bus terminal is on the corner of Hipolito Yrigoyen and San Martin. It is only a short walk from the bus terminal to most accommodation options. There's an airport a few kilometers outside of town with flights to Buenos Aires. There are several ATM machines in town and you can change traveller's cheques at Cambio Thaler (Av Roca 493).

Recommended tourist sites and activities: Puerto Madryn was founded by Welsh settlers in 1886. It is a pleasant seaside town which makes a great base to explore the nearby Valdes Peninsula National Park. The park is one of the best in South America. You can expect to see guanacos, rheas, elephant seals, sea lions, Magellanic penguins and the magnificent southern right whale (between June and December). Most tours of the park include a boat trip to see the right whales. From September to November it is possible to see Commerson's dolphins and if you are very lucky you can see orcas ( February to April).

Another recommended excursion is to Punta Tomba (190kms south of Puerto Madryn). It is one of the best sea bird colonies in the world. From mid September to April 250,000 Magellanic penguins gather on the beaches.

Finally, Puerto Madryn is one of the few places in the world where you can go scuba diving with sea lions. They are friendly creatures who aren't shy of people. Lobo Larsen Buceo (Av Roca 885 tel (02965) 470277 www.lobolarsen.com) are specialists in diving with the sea lions.