Is it better to visit Península Valdés or Punta Tombo to see penguins?

Penguins in Punta Tombo, Chubut province, Argentina.

If your main goal is to see large numbers of penguins, Punta Tombo is the better choice. It is home to one of the largest Magellanic penguin colonies in South America, with over 500,000 penguins during peak season (September to April). Visitors can walk among them along designated trails, getting a close-up experience.

Península Valdés, on the other hand, has smaller and more dispersed penguin colonies, mainly in Punta Norte and Caleta Valdés. While it’s a great place to see a variety of wildlife (whales, orcas, sea lions, elephant seals, and more), it is not the best for penguin spotting compared to Punta Tombo.

✔️ Go to Punta Tombo if you want to see huge numbers of penguins up close.
✔️ Choose Península Valdés if you want a broader wildlife experience, including whales and orcas.

Punta Tombo Penguin Rookery Tour

Embark on a captivating journey to Punta Tombo, home to a thriving penguin colony. Discover the wonders of Patagonia's wildlife.

From Price: USD 130

Peninsula Valdes Tour With Estancia San Lorenzo

Discover the captivating wildlife of Peninsula Valdés with Estancia San Lorenzo. Penguin colonies and scenic landscapes await!

  • Peninsula Valdes

From Price: USD 210

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Ramiro Rodriguez

25 years working in travel market, as Sales & Marketing Manager in RipioTurismo, Marketing Manager in Nuevas Ideas Travel Consulting Group. Writer and travel lover.

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