Puerto Madryn Travel Guide

Getting There

By Plane -- LADE (Líneas Aereas del Estado), Roca 119 (tel. 2965/451256 or 0810/810-5233), has one weekly flight from Buenos Aires aboard a small commuter jet (the flight makes one or two stops along the way) for $170 (£94). Weekly flights depart from Ushuaia (for $145/£80) and El Calafate (for $115/£63). The fares are much cheaper than those of Aerolíneas Argentinas, but the service is very basic. LADE is the only airline currently operating out of the Puerto Madryn's Aerodromo El Tehuelche (tel. 2965/451909), saving you an hour-long transfer from the other airport, Trelew .

A taxi from the airport to the center of Puerto Madryn, 10km (6 1/4 miles) away, should cost no more than $5 (£2.75) for the 10-minute ride.

Most visitors to this region fly into Trelew Airport, Aeropuerto de Trelew (tel. 2965/433443), 62km (38 miles) away. Aerolíneas Argentinas (tel. 0810/222-86527) has three to four daily flights to Trelew from Buenos Aires and several weekly flights from El Calafate and Ushuaia.

A taxi or remise from Trelew airport to Puerto Madryn costs $17 to $22 (£9.35-£12), and the trip takes 40 minutes.

By Bus -- The Terminal de Omnibus is on García and Independencia. The fastest bus from Buenos Aires takes 19 hours aboard Andesmar (tel. 2965/473764). The least expensive one-way fare is $60 (£33), but for $5 (£2.75) more you can travel in a reclining cama chair. Andesmar also has daily services to Mendoza ($63/£35 one-way, 23 hr.) and Bariloche ($45/£25 one-way, 13 hr.). Other reputable bus companies to try are QueBus (tel. 2965/455805), Mar y Valle (tel. 2965/472056), and Ruta Patagonia (tel. 2965/454572).

Visitor Information

You can pick up maps and detailed park information from the Puerto Madryn Secretaria de Turismo (Tourist Office), located at Roca 223 (tel. 2965/453504; www.madryn.gov.ar/turismo). Their office is open daily from 7am to 9pm.

Getting Around

Puerto Madryn is compact enough that you can pretty much walk everywhere. Taxis are available, however, in case you need them. A trip within the city center should cost no more than $2 or $3 (£1.10-£1.65). Taxis are lined up near the Plaza San Martín, or you can call one at tel. 2965/472214. A reputable remise company is Remise Madryn (España 1560; tel. 2965/453444).

Buses run by the company 28 de Julio (tel. 2965/472056) depart every hour for the 45-minute journey to Trelew. The cost is $2.50 (£1.40) one-way. Mar y Valle (tel. 2965/472056) buses depart the central bus station once a day to Puerto Pirámides on the Península Valdés at 9:30am and return at 6pm, making it handy for independent day-trippers.

You can rent a car at Trelew Airport, at the Puerto Madryn airport, or from the center of Puerto Madryn. Avis, Av. Roca 493 (tel. 2965/475422), and Hertz, Av. Roca 115 (tel. 2965/474287), have similar rates of about $50 (£28) per day for a small car. If you think you'll want a car, it's best to book it before leaving home, for the lowest rate. If not, try bargaining at either Madryn Rent a Car, Roca 624 (tel. 2965/452355), or Fiorassi, Av. Roca 165 (tel. 2965/456300), two local companies that offer lower rates if they have cars available. For exploring the Península Valdés, where virtually none of the roads are paved, consider renting a 4WD. Rates start at $110 (£61) per day.