Atlantic Coast
Puerto Santa Cruz (photo: Jorge González)
A sequence of oceanic cities with their corresponding ports rests on the eastern coast of the Province of Santa Cruz. All of them treasure a past full of history and legends. They show the braveness of the sailors who managed to consolidate sovereignty and the arrival of European immigrants who settled down in the area to strengthen it.
The whimsical coastline is a challenge for those who enjoy unusual scenes. Gulfs with sandy beaches or pebbles of a thousand colors are mixed with cliffs that face the sea from the heights. The Deseado and Santa Cruz Rivers, as well as other smaller ones, empty their waters in the Atlantic. There is the chance to sail along them and also enjoy the biodiversity of the species that dwell in their surroundings. Sea mammals and birds establish their colonies there at different seasons and they become part of the scenery, just like the vast blue sea.
Caleta Olivia, Puerto Deseado, Puerto San Julián, Puerto Santa Cruz and Río Gallegos are referents of this Atlantic littoral area. The latter is also the capital of the province and the way out across the Atlantic for the produce of Santa Cruz. This is the starting point to visit several emblematic lighthouses, penguin colonies and especially various pioneer local estancias that reflect life in the countryside, which may turn out to be inhospitable in some cases but will always feature the typical charm of Patagonia.
Tours and Activities
To the Cabo Blanco Sea Lions Reserve
Cabo Blanco fauna reserve is located on a triple rocky promontory overlooking the Argentinian Sea and is home to an important southern fur seal colony.
Vírgenes and Dungenes Sentries
There are two permanent watchtowers at the end of the American continent: the lighthouses of Cabo Vírgenes and Punta Dúngenes. We visited both of them.
Following the Deseado Ria
The bio-diversity of sea fauna featured by the Deseado Ria is a great attraction to go on an amusing navigation tour for several hours in contact with nature.
The Roca's Balcony
If you go for a stroll, in Piedrabuena and Alcorta you will find a balcony that forms part of a construction of the end of XIX century, made in metal sheets and timber...
Sea Foam and Secrets from the Past
We visited this small town in Santa Cruz whose local attractions invite travelers to stroll around its seafront and get to know its quiet life with vestiges of past civilizations.
Railway Station
This narrow gauge train is on the railroad track farthest south in the world. The branch line was inaugurated on 25th May 1951 to serve the coal mines in Río Turbio...
Jaramillo, Petrified Forest
We discovered the secrets of a forest with huge petrified trees which millions of years ago proudly showed off its large size.
Santa Cruz Ria, Increasingly Popular among Tourists
This famous ria, which is the end of an entire drainage system in the Province of Santa Cruz, is providing more and more reasons to enjoy this area. Picturesque, colorful and with new sports...
Pearls of Puerto Santa Cruz
Touring the wide Patagonian steppe, we drove in Puerto Santa Cruz, an old settlement which offers a natural viewpoint towards the estuary and a very interesting historical background.