10 Reasons to Visit Puerto Piramides and Stay a While!

I have to say, Puerto Piramides may be one of the best-kept secrets along Argentina’s coastal Patagonia! When Sam and I were first planning our trip to Península Valdés, we thought we’d have to base ourselves in the nearby port city of Puerto Madryn; it hadn’t occurred to us that staying on the peninsula was even possible or that there was a beach town with so much to offer.

Puerto Piramides is the only town in Península Valdés and it has a population of just over 700, though for a few months of the year, the whale population far exceeds the number of inhabitants on land! Its laid-back beachy vibe reminded me a lot of Bolivia’s Copacabana and it proved to be the perfect place to hike, enjoy some beach time, and explore the peninsula.

In case you need any more convincing, here are 10 reasons why you should visit Puerto Piramides for more than a day trip!

Catch the sunrise over the ocean

If you’re an early riser, you’re in luck because the sun puts on a beautiful show over Puerto Piramides.

We set our alarms bright and early to watch the magic unfold, and because our hotel was right on the beach, we basically rolled out of bed, walked down to the shore, and watched as the sky was painted shades of pink, lavender and periwinkle.

Once the pastel colours began to fade, we followed the coastline towards the east cliff. It was an easy 15-minute hike to the top and we were rewarded with views of the whole town. Sam and I sat at the top watching as the sun cast its warm glow over the landscape.

What we found most amusing is that there was a group who had camped out on the beach and they were still revelling and playing Manu Chau on the guitar. We were just starting our day and they were still going from the previous night – they crawled into their tents shortly after sunrise. Oh, to be on Argentine time!

Stroll along Avenida de las Ballenas

Avenida de las Ballenas, which literally translates to Avenue of the Whales, is the main street in Puerto Piramides. It’s lined with brightly-painted shops, restaurants, cafes, as well as some colourful murals, so it’s worth a stroll while you’re in town.

The bright colours were giving me some serious Caribbean island vibes! The only thing to keep in mind that a lot of the businesses along here shut down during siesta time.

Hike out to Mirador Lobería

The ‘lobería’ is a colony of sea lions located not too far from Puerto Piramides. There’s a small dirt trail that breaks away from the west end of town and eventually joins up with a dirt road (it’s labelled ‘Acceso a Lobería’ on GoogleMaps).

It’s a 4-kilometre hike each way and it involves a few steep inclines so consider yourself warned. We were pleasantly surprised to come across maras and lots of crested tinamous along the way.

Once we reached the lobería, we could hear the sea lions before we could even see them. It amazes me that sometimes they can sound like sheep and other times they sound like baby dinosaurs – quite the vocal range!

We followed the path down the hill where there were two viewing platforms. Here we saw sea lions swimming in the crystalline waters, others sunbathing, and countless pups practising their swimming skills in the small pools of water. One of the perks of visiting in February is that you get to see all the newborn pups playing around!

It was about a 1 hour hike from the town so don’t forget sunblock, a hat, and lots of water to get you there and back. If you happen to do this hike during the summer months, you may also want to consider going in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the extreme heat.

Go on a boat tour

Another thing to do in Puerto Piramides is to go on a boat tour. Even though we had already hiked to Mirador Lobería in Punta Piramides, we decided to hop on a zodiac-type raft and go see the sea lions once more. It was a beautiful day to be out on the water, and the 1 1/2 hour excursion was the perfect length.

The sea lions were being their sleepy selves on the rocky outcrops, and we also encountered a surprising amount of sea birds – especially cormorants which are easy to confuse with penguins from a distance!

Whale-watching tours are another very popular option if you’re here at the right time of year (June to December). It’s good to know that with the whale-watching tours, the law dictates that outfitters may not chase the whales, and they must cut their motors within 100 metres of them.

Splash into some water activities

Where do I even begin? There are so many different water sports that you can enjoy in Puerto Piramides ranging from stand up paddle boarding and jet-skiing to kayaking and boating. Take your pick!

With most of these water activities, you can just walk down to the beach and book it directly on the spot. Just don’t wait until too late in the afternoon because businesses begin packing up everything just before sunset.

Enjoy some beach time

I can’t talk about a beach town and not mention going to the beach! This is one of the main draws to Puerto Piramides, and the waters are surprisingly nice for the Atlantic Ocean – still cool and refreshing, but not icy cold like in some other places down the coast.

The waters are also fairly shallow, so you can walk out quite a ways from the shore and still not be in very deep.

The beach fills up with families, pets and friends by mid-morning, with most beach-goers working on their tan and lingering past sunset. Chair and umbrellas can be rented right on the beach.

Stay at an eco-hotel on the beach

During our stay in Puerto Piramides, we stayed at Océano Patagonia. This is a beachside eco-condo with rooms that open directly onto the beach. You seriously can’t beat the location!

The rooms are a mix of modern meets rustic with floor to ceilings windows, recycled wood furnishings, and an off-white colour palette that makes the place feel bright and airy. They heat and cool the place using a geothermal system, they have solar panels to meet part of their electric needs, and also recycle water since they are in a desert climate.

Our room was perfect for a self-catered holiday. We had two heating elements, an electric kettle, a coffee maker, plus they also left us a fridge stocked with breakfast items like orange juice, milk, butter, cream cheese, jam, dulce de leche, fruits, and a fresh loaf of artisanal bread delivered fresh every morning.

Our favourite part was the resident cat who would nap in the lobby and sometimes come by for a visit on the outdoor terrace.

Eat delicious seafood at La Covacha

Now let’s talk about the food!

One of our favourite restaurants in town was La Covacha, which serves up some mouth-watering seafood dishes. In fact, I ate one of the best seafood pasta dishes that I’ve had in all of Argentina!

You seriously can’t go wrong ordering their giant ravioli stuffed with shrimp in a buttery mussel sauce with calamari a la provencal! There were even some scallops in there with their shells, which just added to the overall presentation.

I also ogled over at more than one seafood platter making its way to neighbouring tables – there were just so many delicious items on their menu!

We arrived at noon and by the time we left this restaurant, there wasn’t a single table available.

See fossils up close and personal

Another reason to visit Puerto Piramides is to feel like a real-life Indiana Jones. This whole area is made up of old ocean floor, and that means lots of clay and countless marine fossils that take you millions of years back in time. There are so many of them that there’s no stepping around them or avoiding them! Just remember that removing any fossils from Península Valdés is strictly prohibited. Enjoy them on your walks and snap some photos, but they stay where they belong.

Explore the rest of the peninsula

Last but not least, one major reason to visit Puerto Piramides is that you can use this as your base to explore Península Valdés!

Day trips departing from Puerto Madryn involve driving 400kms in one day – half of that on gravel roads! – but if you choose to base yourself in Puerto Piramides, you can cut down some of that travel time and use it to explore all the sights and attractions around the peninsula. Some places to consider include Punta Norte and Estancia San Lorenzo on the north end of the peninsula, and Punta Delgada on the south side.

Taking tours is still very much possible; most tours departing from Puerto Madryn will also swing through Puerto Piramides to pick up passengers, so there really are no excuses! Now here’s a vlog of our day in town.

 

Puerto Pirámides Trip Planner: Make This Tiny Beach Town Your Base on Península Valdés

How long should you stay?

Short answer: 2–4 nights.
Long answer: it depends on your wildlife wish list and your pace.

• 48 hours – enough to catch sunrise on the cliffs, do the lobería hike, squeeze in a boat tour, and linger over seafood.
• 3–4 nights – add whale-watching (in season), a kayak or SUP session, a lazy beach day, and at least one day trip deeper into the peninsula.

If you’re the “sunrise person” and the “late seafood dinner person”, three nights felt like the sweet spot.

How to get to Puerto Pirámides (without losing half a day)

If you’re starting in Puerto Madryn, you’ve got options:

• Rental car: the most flexible way to do Península Valdés. The road is paved up to the park gate and then it’s a mix of asphalt + good gravel to Puerto Pirámides (drive carefully; wildlife crosses at dawn/dusk).
• Bus + transfer: seasonal buses run between Puerto Madryn and Puerto Pirámides; if timetables are sparse, ask your hotel about shared transfers.
• Tour pickup: many day tours from Puerto Madryn will pick up/drop off in Puerto Pirámides. Tell the operator you’re staying in town and they’ll usually arrange it.

Best time to visit: match the season to your wildlife goals

You can visit year-round, but the cast of characters changes with the months. Here’s a quick at-a-glance:

Where to stay: eco-condos, inns, or simple posadas?

Puerto Pirámides is tiny but surprisingly varied. A mini comparison:

We loved having a kitchenette. A stocked fridge and warm bread in the morning = happiness.

What to pack (and what to leave at home)

Daypack checklist (screenshot-able):

• Sun protection: wide-brim hat, SPF 50+, sunglasses
• Windbreaker or light jacket (the Atlantic breeze can surprise you)
• Reusable water bottle (refill before hikes/boat tours)
• Binoculars (game-changer for spotting whales/birds)
• Snacks (nuts, fruit, crackers)
• Camera/phone + dry pouch for boat days
• Sturdy sandals/closed shoes for the lobería trail
• Cash (small bills for tips, kiosks; ATMs can be fickle)

If you’re visiting in spring/winter: add layers (fleece, beanie, buff) and lip balm—the wind is real.

Easy DIY walks & hikes from town

You don’t need a tour for every outing. Some of the most memorable moments were on our own two feet.

1) Sunrise Ridge Walk (east cliffs)

• Time: 30–60 minutes round-trip
• Why we loved it: pastel skies over the water, a quick leg-stretch before coffee.
• How: From the beach, follow the coastline to the east and climb the obvious path up. Stay back from the edge; cliffs can be crumbly.

2) Mirador Lobería (sea lion lookout)

• Time: ~1 hour each way (4 km from town)
• Trail notes: a mix of dirt paths and a signed dirt road (Acceso a Lobería). A few short, steep patches.
• On arrival: Two viewing platforms with great angles. February brings pup playtime in the pools—bring binoculars and a longer lens if you have one.
• Heat hack: Go early or late; there’s zero shade.

3) Fossil Stroll (beach + low cliffs)

• Time: As long as you like
• What you’ll see: ancient shells and marine impressions embedded in the clay—look, don’t touch.
• Reminder: Removing fossils from Península Valdés is prohibited. Snap a photo, leave the treasure.

On-the-water fun: pick your float

You can book most activities right on the beach or along Avenida de las Ballenas.

• Sea lion boat tour: ~90 minutes; scenic zodiac-style ride to Punta Pirámides; excellent for photos and seabirds (hello, cormorants!).
• Whale-watching (Jun–Dec): ethical operators cut engines within 100 m; some whales are naturally curious and approach on their terms.
• Kayak/SUP: calm days are ideal; hugging the coastline keeps it relaxed.
• Jetski/boating: for the speedsters; great way to feel the scale of the cliffs.

Wildlife-first checklist (be a good ocean guest)

• Give animals space—zoom with your lens, not your body.
• Keep voices low and movements calm.
• Never feed wildlife (yes, even the cute ones).
• Choose licensed operators who brief on safety/etiquette.
• Pack out every crumb of trash; microplastics are no joke.

A tiny food guide (and how to outsmart siesta)

Puerto Pirámides punches above its weight in the food department:

• Seafood stars: La Covacha’s giant shrimp-stuffed ravioli in mussel butter, grilled seafood platters that will have you staring at your neighbour’s table.
• Casual bites: beach kiosks, empanadas, milanesas, and that essential post-hike ice cream.
• Breakfast & coffee: beachfront cafés and hotel spreads; a pastry + mate on your terrace is bliss.

Groceries & money: There are small almacenes (corner stores) for basics. Carry cash—card readers can be temperamental and ATMs are limited or offline in high winds (Patagonia things).

What will this cost? A simple budget snapshot (per person)

Money-saving tips: self-cater breakfast, do one “wow” seafood meal and balance with simple Argentine staples, walk the DIY trails.

A no-rush 3-day Puerto Pirámides itinerary

Day 1 – Settle & Stroll

• Arrive, drop bags, sunset beach walk.
• Seafood dinner (make it La Covacha night one if possible).

Day 2 – Cliffs & Sea Lions

• Sunrise on the east ridge, coffee with sandy toes.
• Late morning hike to Mirador Lobería; pack water and snacks.
• Siesta (you will become Argentine, resistance is futile).
• Boat tour to Punta Pirámides for sea lions and seabirds.
• Gelato + beach + golden hour photos.

Day 3 – Choose Your Adventure

• In season: whale-watching (morning light is beautiful).
• Out of season: kayak/SUP, a lazy beach day, or a half-day drive to Caleta Valdés for a different coastline and more wildlife.
• Sunset on the beach; toast the stars.

Day trips made easy from Puerto Pirámides

• Punta Norte & Estancia San Lorenzo (north): sea lions, elephant seals, and the largest Magellanic penguin colony (seasonal access).
• Caleta Valdés (east): sweeping views, elephant seals on long pebbly beaches, starkly beautiful.
• Punta Delgada (south): lighthouse area, elephant seals, dramatic cliffs.
• Salina Grande: surreal salt flats inland (great for photos on a bright day).

Tours from Puerto Madryn regularly pass through Puerto Pirámides—just confirm pickup when you book.

Puerto Pirámides Trip FAQ (12 Helpful Q&As)

How do I get cash in Puerto Pirámides?

Carry cash from Puerto Madryn or Trelew. Small shops and some restaurants may accept cards, but connectivity can be spotty. Keep a reserve for tours/tips.

Is Puerto Pirámides safe for solo travelers?

We found it very friendly and low-key. Usual travel sense applies: don’t leave valuables on the beach, walk with a headlamp at night (few streetlights), and tell your hotel if you head out on longer hikes.

Can I visit Puerto Pirámides without a car?

Yes. You can arrive via bus/transfer and book boat tours and hikes on foot from town. For deeper peninsula spots (Caleta Valdés, Punta Norte), join a day tour that picks up in Puerto Pirámides or consider renting a car for a day.

Are whale-watching tours ethical here?

Regulations require boats to cut engines within 100 m and prohibit chasing. Choose a licensed operator, follow the crew’s guidance, and let the whales decide the distance. Peak months are September–October.

Will I have mobile data/Wi-Fi in town?

Expect OK-ish speeds in town (better in hotels/cafés, weaker on the cliffs or out on the roads). Download maps and playlists ahead of time and enjoy the digital detox.

What should I wear on a boat tour?

Layers (windbreaker), non-slip shoes, hat with a strap, and sunscreen. Bring a dry pouch for your phone/camera—sea spray happens.

Can I swim in the ocean here?

Yes, and people do! The water is refreshing rather than tropical, with shallow stretches near shore. Always check conditions, avoid rocky outcrops, and be mindful of currents and wildlife.

Is it possible to see penguins from Puerto Pirámides?

Not right in town. For penguins, head to Estancia San Lorenzo (north) or Punta Tombo (farther south, a separate day trip). Penguin season runs September–March, with chicks after November.

Where can I buy groceries or picnic supplies?

A handful of almacenes (small groceries) sell bread, fruit, cheese, water, and basics. For bigger shops, stock up in Puerto Madryn before you drive in.

Are there ATMs in Puerto Pirámides?

Availability changes, and machines can be empty or offline. Bring enough cash for your intended stay, plus a cushion.

Do businesses close for siesta?

Yes. Expect a mid-afternoon pause. Plan early lunches, beach picnics, or a blissful nap, and enjoy late dinners like a local.

Can I bring home fossils or shells as souvenirs?

No. Removing fossils and natural objects from Península Valdés is illegal. Take photos, leave only footprints, and maybe adopt a painted mate cup or whale carving from a local artisan instead.