El Cóndor, a Fabulous Beach

There is no doubt that when the hot temperatures start, the best way to enjoy ourselves is near the water. The City of Viedma, a fortunate location indeed, features a gorgeous river called Negro (which stands for “black” in Spanish) and the immediate presence of an unforgettable sea.

A classic in Patagonia, the beach called El Cóndor (The Condor) presents a vast space of fine sands and rocky cliffs that provide an ideal scene to enjoy the sea, read a book and even take a nap on a deck chair inches away from the water.

Typical of the shores of the Province of Río Negro, in addition to providing panoramic views, the cliffs create a very special mysticism that is translated into the various activities practiced in the area, ranging from angling, when the tide is high, to paragliding.

The most popular way of fishing is by casting on the shore. Diverse species of large fish may be caught in the area; therefore, anglers from nearby cities come along to tempt luck at this privileged spot.

The wind, lord of the land, has many followers here, as it makes it possible to enjoy windsurfing, kitesurfing and even windcar racing, a new activity that is all the rage when the tide is low and the weather is windy.

This seaside resort has become a point of encounter for several generations in the last few years. Youngsters prevail and give life to pubs, bars and coffee-shops on the seashore, even at night.

All along the Seashore Road, as the area is often referred to, all kinds of services -among which accommodation venues, cabins, restaurants and stores stand out- emerge during the summer season.

The Sea and the Campers’ Festivals are part of the most traditional celebrations held in this city year after year. Not only do they lure visitors from all over the country but also national and foreign artists that succeed in captivating the most varied audiences.

In addition to sports and cultural activities, this beach is perfect to watch the local wildlife, especially birds. It is said that there are over 100 species of migratory and resident birds.

The largest colony of burrowing parrots in the world dwells in the surroundings of this beach and it is a real spectacle to watch them fly and move about making their typical noises in the air.

At one end of El Cóndor, the scenery changes and the cliffs become the real protagonists. The first lighthouse to be raised in Argentinian Patagonia is located there and so is the viewpoint named after Ceferino Namuncurá, one of the most worshipped saints in the country.

Just 3 kilometers away from this location, the Negro River meets the Atlantic Ocean. This wonderful phenomenon may be watched from a point known as El Pescadero, ideal to fish all day, and also at night.

For all these reasons, El Cóndor is one of the tourist attractions visitors to the City of Viedma should not miss.