In Escalante Department, you can choose a trip that combines oil history and coastal nature. Comodoro Rivadavia brings together a museum and the historic Pozo No. 2 drilling site; to the north lies the Rocas Coloradas Protected Area. Along the coast, wildlife watching in Rada Tilly and the tidal bays of Bahía Bustamante add further, clearly distinct themes.

Oil History in Comodoro Rivadavia

The Museo Nacional del Petróleo is a historic site and science museum, unique of its kind in Latin America. It was built right around the historic Pozo No. 2 drilling site. On December 13, 1907, Argentina’s first state-owned oil was discovered there.

The museum displays photographs, documents, and machinery. It also features a drilling simulator that is unique in the country. This brings the historic discovery and oil-related technology together: the drilling site anchors the story in a specific place, while the documents and machinery reveal other facets of the subject.

Coastal Landscapes and Wildlife Watching

The Rocas Coloradas Protected Area lies north of Comodoro Rivadavia. Its great biodiversity and the colors of its hills reveal different features of the area: the diversity of nature sits alongside traces of different geological eras, visible in the hills’ colors.

At the Reserva Natural Punta Marqués in Rada Tilly, you can watch marine animals, including sea lions, whales, and toninas. This extends the focus on nature to another location, with a specific wildlife-watching theme.

Bahía Bustamante is a biologically diverse coastal destination. At low tide, protected shallow bays emerge, providing feeding grounds for numerous shorebirds and seabirds. The area is designated an Important Bird Conservation Area. Thirteen of the 16 seabird species that breed in Argentina nest there. The bays and birdlife go hand in hand here: the changing tides expose the shallow areas, which are also important to the animals.

The Centro de Interpretación de Patagonia Azul in Bahía Bustamante uses its exhibition spaces to explain the destination’s places and activities, as well as the threats to nature there. Alongside the landscapes and wildlife, the center also covers regional activities and the challenges facing the natural environment.

Activities and Practical Planning

Hostería Bahía Bustamante offers wildlife watching, coastal excursions by sea, and visits to a petrified forest. Access is only possible with an advance reservation. So don’t plan these activities as a spontaneous visit; confirm your reservation beforehand.

The Arroyo Marea campground in Bahía Bustamante has several camping pitches, fire pits, and grills. Facilities also include dry toilets, a shelter, a communal kitchen, and a dining room. Nature trails and parking for cars and motorhomes round out the amenities. As facilities may change during operation, check what is currently available before making your plans.

For a broader view of the coast, there is the Ruta Azul: this 1,000-kilometer coastal journey passes through two provinces and includes Bahía Bustamante and Comodoro Rivadavia. It provides a regional framework for both destinations, while the museum, protected area, and coastal towns each offer distinct focal points to help guide your travel plans.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Bahía Bustamante, Rada Tilly, Biedma, Futaleufú Department, Gaiman Department, Cushamen Department, Gastre Department, Viedma

For the broader travel overview: Chubut.