Puerto Deseado draws visitors to the Ría Deseado: birdwatching and boat trips go hand in hand with historic walking tours and museums. These interests can be clearly distinguished—wildlife and landscapes along the ría, the events of Patagonia Trágica, and the history of the railway and seafaring.
Ría, Birdlife and Landscapes
The Circuito Ornitológico is dedicated to birdwatching. More than 120 species have been recorded in the ría, including four species of cormorant, petrels, skuas, Coscoroba swans and terns. The Reserva Provincial Ría Deseado offers opportunities to observe Commerson's dolphins, sea lions, Magellanic penguins and cormorants. So, in addition to birdlife, visitors can also look out for other coastal species. Boat trips on the Ría Deseado are also available.
The Circuito de las Siete Cuevas on the north shore of the Ría Deseado offers a different perspective. It follows rocky paths between high cliffs, volcanic rock formations, ancient caves, natural pools and viewpoints. Here, the terrain shapes the walk: rocks, caves and vistas are the route's defining features. This sets it apart from the birdwatching focus of the Circuito Ornitológico.
Historic Walking Tours and Museums
Puerto Deseado was designated a National Historic Site under Decree No. 12.466/1943. Two self-guided walking tours explore different historical themes. De Cara A La Livertà recalls the events of Patagonia Trágica in 1921 and includes twelve stops. They can be visited on foot or by private vehicle. The tour thus connects a specific historical theme with two possible ways to explore it.
Derrotero del Corsario focuses on the visit of English navigator Tomas Cavendish to Puerto Deseado in 1586. He named the place in honor of his flagship, Desire. The tour includes six signs at viewpoints, among them Punta Cavendish, Isla Quiroga and Punta Cascajo. Unlike De Cara A La Livertà, its focus is a much earlier episode in the town's history and its connection to seafaring.
The museums also offer different ways to explore the past. Museo del Pueblo is housed in the Palacio Ferroviario. Its rooms present the foundations of social and cultural development and the independence of the local community. Museo Ferroviario tells the story of the former railway station and of the passengers, workers and supply transports involved in building the railway lines. Another railway landmark is Coche Reservado Nº502: it preserves one of Puerto Deseado's original railway cars and is located at Plaza del Vagón, at the intersection of San Martín and Almirante Brown.
More than 400 original artifacts relating to the archaeological and maritime history of the English corvette HMS Swift are on display at Museo Mario Brozoski. The ship sank in the waters of the ría at the end of the 18th century after a severe storm. The museum is considered a pioneer of underwater archaeology in Argentina. Its collection and historical focus set it apart from the museums devoted to the local community or railway history.
Getting There and Accommodation
By car, the route to Puerto Deseado follows Ruta Nacional N°3 and then Ruta Provincial N°27. The nearest airport is in Comodoro Rivadavia, in the province of Chubut. When looking for a hotel in Puerto Deseado, consider the focus of your trip: are you most interested in wildlife and landscapes along the ría, or would you rather focus on the historic walking tours and museums? These different themes offer practical guidance when choosing your destination and accommodation.
Discover more destinations: Aguada Grande, Caleta Olivia.
Return to the main travel overview: Departamento Deseado.
