100km (62 miles) NE of Puerto Madryn
The only village inside the Península Valdés National Park, Puerto Pirámides is tiny -- about 4 blocks. Once a bustling salt-exporting port, today it's a quiet village. It's the sole launching point for the many whale-watching trips that depart from here, from April to late December. During the day, the beach is mobbed with day-trippers, but it's a much more intimate experience in the evening. Some travelers choose to stay here overnight instead of in Puerto Madryn, especially if they have their own transportation. You can venture to other parts of the park much more quickly from here. There is no fresh water here -- salt water is just barely treated before hitting your taps -- so you must make an effort to conserve water and drink only bottled water.
