Bahía Bustamante combines a coast rich in biological diversity with opportunities to observe wildlife and take excursions on land. When planning your trip, you can choose from different highlights: boat trips to observe birds and marine mammals, insights into nature and culture at the Centro de Interpretación de Patagonia Azul, or horseback and bicycle tours. Visits to the petrified forest are also offered by the Hostería Bahía Bustamante.
Coast and birdlife
Bahía Bustamante is located on the coast of Chubut and is a place of great biological diversity. It is designated as an important bird conservation area; 13 of the 16 seabird species that breed in Argentina are found here. Boat trips to observe birds and marine mammals in Bahía Bustamante are highlighted at Parque Provincial Patagonia Azul. Information about the birdlife and the boat trips offer two concrete points of reference for experiencing nature, without limiting the trip to a single activity.
Since 2008, the coast of Bahía Bustamante has been part of Argentina’s first interjurisdictional coastal marine park. Since 2015, Bahía Bustamante has been part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve “Patagonia Azul.” These two designations apply to the coast and Bahía Bustamante, respectively, and add its recognized importance for nature conservation to the picture of the area.
Discover the Centro de Interpretación
The former house of Estancia La Ibérica now houses the Centro de Interpretación de Patagonia Azul. In the historic stone building, two rooms showcase the biological diversity and culture of Patagonia Azul. The Centro also explains the destination’s sites and activities, as well as the threats to nature in the area. This allows wildlife observation to be combined with insights into the region’s landscape and human culture.
The Centro includes a café serving local cuisine. If you plan to visit, check its current availability in advance. The café is an additional stop at the Centro; the other activities described focus on different aspects of movement and nature observation.
Horseback and bicycle excursions and visits to the petrified forest
Horseback excursions start at Portal Bahía Bustamante, cross the steppe to the coast, and last between 1:30 and 3 hours. Bicycles can be rented at the Portal for half a day or a full day. The routes run from the Arroyo Marea campground to the Centro de Interpretación and the surrounding area. The two land-based activities therefore differ both in how you get around and in the stated duration: horseback rides are listed as lasting 1:30 to 3 hours, while bicycle rentals are available for half a day or a full day.
The Hostería Bahía Bustamante offers visits to the petrified forest. Alongside boat trips and tours through the steppe and coastal landscape, you can also choose to visit this natural attraction. The activities can be selected according to your interest in wildlife observation, outdoor activities on land, or the petrified forest.
Important information about the Hostería
Advance reservations are required to access the Hostería Bahía Bustamante. Keep this requirement in mind when planning a visit. The Hostería is also the named provider of visits to the petrified forest; access to the Hostería itself remains subject to the reservation requirement.
Discover more destinations: Rada Tilly.
Return to the main travel overview: Departamento Escalante.
