In Gobernador Costa, handicrafts and a recurring February festival take center stage; José de San Martín lies in the Río Genoa Valley, and sport fishing takes place seasonally near Río Pico.

Gobernador Costa: Handicrafts, Museum, and Fiesta

At the handicrafts center, visitors can watch and take part in artisans’ work as they develop and make their crafts. The center is dedicated to preserving and promoting Indigenous techniques from the region. Accordingly, the opportunities described there include both observing the work and participating in it yourself.

The Valentín Saihueque Regional Museum displays images and objects belonging to various residents of the region. The Fiesta Provincial del Caballo takes place every February in Gobernador Costa. It includes parades, jineteadas, and horse-training competitions. If you would like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the specific dates for your visit.

The approach to the town is also easy to place geographically: National Route 40 provides access to Gobernador Costa and becomes the main street within the town. This route offers a clear reference point for finding your way around.

José de San Martín: Valley Views and Cultural Heritage

José de San Martín lies in the Río Genoa Valley. The Valle de Genoa is crossed by the stream of the same name, which is home to salmonids and pejerreyes. The area also has diverse birdlife. This combination of valley, stream, and wildlife shapes the town’s connection to nature.

The “La Cruz” viewpoint offers panoramic views of José de San Martín. From a viewpoint, you can also see in the distance the place where the Tehuelche people swore allegiance to the flag. It is about one kilometer from the village.

The monument to Tehuelche chief Casimiro Bigua commemorates the historical affirmation of Tehuelche sovereignty in Argentina. The area around the town also has rock paintings and chenques. In 1998, the Argentine government declared José de San Martín a National Historic Site. Together, these features offer a way to explore the landscape and history without limiting the experience to a single attraction.

Guided visits to agricultural establishments are offered during the day within the jurisdiction of José de San Martín. If you are interested, take into account the time of day when planning your visit.

Río Pico: Seasonal Fishing and Access

During fishing season, sport fishing takes place in several bodies of water around Río Pico, including Lago Vintter, Río Nilson, and Laguna Temenuao. Fishing is seasonal, so plan your trip around the applicable fishing dates.

A government report dated May 22, 2019, recorded the completion of a bridge project on the access road to Río Pico. The 60-meter-long bridge replaced the old, narrow, single-lane bridge; its seven-meter-wide roadway allows traffic to flow in both directions at the same time. The connection via Provincial Route RP 19, reported on the same date, was described as a fast, safe, and direct road link to the rest of Chubut.

The small Lago Azul is also nearby, 90 kilometers from Gobernador Costa. Keep this distance in mind if you want to combine a visit there with other plans. This can help you distinguish the local offerings of Gobernador Costa, José de San Martín, and Río Pico from more distant destinations when choosing accommodation and planning your days.

Discover more destinations: Río Pico, Gobernador Costa, Viedma, Río Senguer Department, Futalefú Department, Sarmiento Department, Cushamen Department, Rawson Department.

For an overview of the wider region: Chubut.