Official Language:
Spanish
|
Currency:
Argentinian Peso
|
Population:
Approximately 1200 people call Camarones home.
|
Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Camarones Argentina: The country's territory offers a wide variety of climates: subtropical in the North, sub-Antarctic in the southern Patagonia, and mild and humid in the Pampas plains. Media temperature from November to March is 73°F/23°C, and 53°F/12° C from June to September.
|
|
|
|
Camarones lies on Bahia Camarones, on the eastern coast of Patagonia in Chubut Province. Camarones and the Valdez Peninsula are home to thousands of Magellan penguins who stay here on the Patagonian coast until the end of March. After this they head south for the winter. This area is still unspoiled by mass tourism. The local inhabitants value their beautiful countryside and plentiful wildlife, leaving in your memory an enduring image of Patagonian sea. The environment is enrichened by a variety and density of amazing animals and plants. There are foxes, American ostriches, maras, hares, guanacos, skunks, piches, peludos, sea lions, dolphins, penguins, and also many birds, a wide variety of colourful, noisy and happy birds contrasting with the diaphanous sky. Its coasts and fjords are full of mussels, clams, octopuses, and fish of different species, as well as algae prairies for lovers of diving and submarine hunt to enjoy in a magnificent experience.
Camarones has a population of some 1.100 inhabitants, with a small fishing port and some companies devoted to algae gathering. Fishing can be practised from the coast or from a height, and the Fiesta del Salmón has been organized for many years at the end of February. In Cabo Dos Bahías near the penguins' nests and Complejo María Sara, you can access the viewpoint to Isla Arce, and from there, watch in any direction, the sea, cliffs, islands, small inlets, a spectacular scenery of intense colours. The quiet vehemence of this adventure spot will be calling you to nourish with its magic the incredible but real narration of some unforgettable vacations in this surprising living land.
|
|
Attractions |
 |
 |
Cabo Dos Bahías Fauna Reserve:
Along povincial Route 1, a debris road, you arrive at Cabo Dos Bahías Provincial Reserve after 31 km. The road presents a sector with spectacular cliffs at the height of km. 18, and the condition of the road must be taken into account so as not to travel faster than 60 km/h, and thus avoid any kind of trouble. When you leave from Camarones you must take Moreno street to the south, and at the height of km. 5 you will get to Playa Elola, a wild sandy beach apt for free camping. In km 11 you will find Playa El Pescadero, and in km. 13, Puerto Piojo. In km 18 you will cross slopes of an intense red ocher contrasting with the turquoise blue of the sea and forming an incredible scenery. Once in km 29 you arrive at the splendid Caleta Sara, that contains the facilities of the Nautic Club and YPF club, which have restricted access, but next to them you can camp freely. A little farther ahead you will find the access to Cabo Dos Bahías Provincial Reserve where you must pay for the ticket, and soon after you get out of your vehicle you can contemplate the little penguin colony where you can get very close to the animals. Three kilometers ahead, you can watch from some rocky slopes and see the first Fur Seals colony on the continent. This species has been ferociously decimated for the value of its pelt, and is currently protected by the reserve. These animals shelter from the human presence in Isla Moreno. The site offers an incredible view of the steppe, and you can also see some guanacos accustomed to visits. Bahía Camarones Going South you go into Bahìa Camarones. There are some very interesting points on the way such as Cabo Raso and Punta Atlas. The “Cabo Dos Bahìas” reserve is a beautiful place which has a wonderful penguin rockery with paths which have been recently re-built. For three years, this destination has been a chosen by several cruise companies to go and see the Magellanic Penguin.
Punta Tombo Provincial Reserve:
Leaving from Camarones along Provincial Route 30 (72 km.) and then north along National Route 3, after 50 km. of paved road you come to the crossroad of Provincial Route 32 and then route 1 to Punta Tombo distant 100 km. along a debris road from route 32. You can also drive north leaving from Camarones along a debris road if you take Provincial Route 1. This stretch is much shorter but totally unpaved, and you must take certain precautions like fuelling your car, since there is no fuelling station on the road. In Punta Tombo the Magellan Penguins provincial reserve where visitors are awed from September to April with the vision of hundreds of thousands of penguins running after their breedings or looking for their nests. The area of this reserve belonged to Estancia La Perla and was granted by Luis and Francisco La Regina. By provincial decree nº 2870 it was constituted as a natural and touristic resort, and then deffinitevely consolidated as a Reserve by decree 1222 in the year 1979. Its aim was to protect one of the most diverse sea birds colonies in Argentina, and the biggest Magellan Penguin colony on the continent, with almost half a million individuals. Punta Tombo is one of the most famous and visited places of Argentine litoral in Patagonia, where thousands of tourists gather to admire this fascinating spectacle of nature, the biggest Magellan Penguins colony on the continent.
With a landscape typical of the patagonian steppe, arid and desolate, you will be surprised by the activity of animals as you get closer to Punta Tombo. A rock massif 3,1 km. long and 600 m. wide gets into the sea, covered by sand, clay, pebble, and is surrounded by wide sandy beaches and the biggest concentration of sea birds of all patagonian litoral. The breeding area is concentrated in sandy terrains situated at the base of the reserve. The ground is full of holes where the penguins lay their eggs and raise their pidgeons. You can observe the intense activity of the colony, since while some penguins dig their nests, others fight for their territory, all this while a continuous rumour of penguins fills the air. You can see small groups of them going from the beaches to the colony, exhausted after several days at the sea getting food for their pidgeons. You will also see some others getting into the sea after relieving their couple, since both male and female take care of the breeding. Punta Tombo is also a paradise for other sea birds that nest here. Gray or Austral Seagulls, Skuas, two species of Cormorants, Steam Ducks, and twio species of Oyster Catchers, Antarctic Doves, Giant Petrels, and others.
Islote Chato, situated on the north of Punta Tombo, is a resting and gathering place for hundreds of Sea Wolves. In the neighbouring waters you will see Right Whales, Dolphins and Orcas. Once in the steppe you will notice the presence of American Ostriches, Gray Foxes, Armadillos, Maras, and herds of Guanacos, Skunks and Ferrets. Punta Tombo is a key point for many species, as indicated by the diversity and abundance of both land and sea wild fauna that you can see and admire there. The unusual concentration of fauna is a worldwide known spectacle, of easy access for observation. The oil exploitation negatively affects sea mammals and birds, other forms of sea life, the quality of the water and the beaches, what has led to campaigns for the protection and difusion of the problems caused by pollution in the usual inhabitants of those places.The strict control of oil exploitation in highly sensitive areas like this one, with a wide variety of coast and sea species is very important. The ecosystem is also affected by an active and growing fishing industry. The main risk in this case is the modification of the abundance of species involved. The hunting of all types of land animals, mainly Foxes, Guanacos and American Ostriches in the reserve and its surroundigs is a problem that seems not to diminish, what urgently calls for a hunting restriction in all the area.
Salmon National Festival:
In February is the Salmon National Festival, an important deep sea fishing competition. Adorned with formidable intense color garments, and proudly exhibiting the prodigy of this generous nature full of an intense blue framed by the surprising red of cliffs, Camarones is yearly dressed for this Celebration. For twenty years in the hart of the summer, Camarones has been carrying out this event, and offering the exhuberant marvel of its salmon casting nets. During two journeys, decens of boats get off to the sea to live this fascinating experience. Prizes and tropies accompany the anecdotes of the competitors, and in the Blue Evening, the National Salmon Queen is elected and the event enriched by the beauty of the twenty candidates who have beared this scepter. At the same time, the coast will be densely populated by avid fihing rods in search for the generous baiting proposed by salmon shoals. Anglers will fill their buckets in the hope to get a distiction. Certainly, on closing day, before the awarding ceremony, the traditional "Chupín del Pescador", a traditional dish is served in a popular and free party. All this occurs in a friendly, gay atmosphere in an intense open sea air festivity. This is a Fishermen party. That is what they say when they arrive from all parts to live in all its intensity a spectacular weekend. Since 1990 it has been recognized as a National Festival and incorporated to the calendar of the Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación. Camarones is waiting for you whether you are a fisherman or not to touch youwith its magic.
Camarones Penguin Safari:
A tour where passengers can enjoy the natural flora and fauna of the area. The small town has very quaint buildings still standing and in use including the General Store. Just about 20 miles from the town you will find the penguin settlement. You will briefly see some of the wildlife that exists in the semi-desert landscape of Patagonia (foxes, American ostriches, Patagonian and European hare, llamas, and many species of colorful birds may be seen). There are well over 250,000 penguins that come year after year to the same nesting site during the month of September. Here they lay their eggs and raise their young, staying until April when they return to the north and warmer climates. Please remember that the national park has no shelter and can be very windy and therefore, very sandy as well. Restrooms are limited the entrance to the park only.
|
|
More Information |
|
|
|
Useful Links About Argentina:
Argentina Travel Information
|
|
