BAHÍA BUSTAMANTE LODGE
Described by The New York Times as ´Argentina's Private (and Secret) answer to The Galapagos´, Bahia Bustamante is a seaside Lodge surrounded by 360° of pure nature, located in Patagonia, in an area recognized by its relevant biological biodiversity. Only in a few places in the world it is possible to find such a number and diversity of seabirds and marine mammals, which is why it has been included in ´Patagonia Austral´ National Park & ´Blue Patagonia´ UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is also an IBAs (Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas).
GPS Address
S 45º 07.610 W 066º 32.180 - PLEASE REQUEST INSTRUCTIONS TO GET TO US. DO NOT FOLLOW SUGGESTED ROUTES ON GOOGLE MAPS OR GPS.
Arrival & Departure
Private transfer services can be provided with an extra cost. Renting a car or taking a regular bus is also possible.
Accommodation
6 Sea Cabins - 5 Steppe Cabins - Main Lodge: the Restaurant & Living Room.
Visiting the area
Bahia Bustamante is the perfect match with Peninsula Valdes. Why? Because in Peninsula Valdes you can do Whale Watching from August until mid-December . Starting October, you can combine whale watching with a genuine wildlife approach in Bahía Bustamante Lodge, just a few hours south from Peninsula Valdes. In Bahia Bustamante you avoid long distance travels to approach wildlife. The wildlife is all around us and easy to spot in great numbers.
Nearest Airports
Comodoro Rivadavia (CRD) - 110 miles/180 km (2 hours by car). Trelew (REL) -155 miles/250 km (3 hours by car). Bahia Bustamante is located 180 miles / 300 km southwards from Peninsula Valdes (Chubut).
Your stay
Bahia Bustamante Lodge is a destination on its own: a marine and land wildlife paradise, where our guests can also enjoy unique sandy beaches, a petrified forest of 60 million years, learn about the lifestyle of the first pioneers who arrived here in the 50s, and learn about the seaweed industry, our sustainable wool production and participate in farming activities with sheep. Bahia Bustamante is perfect for biking, trekking, horseback riding, archeological exploration and much more.
Testimonials
Activities
Bahia Bustamante is a paradise waiting
to be discovered.
With a great number of geographical accidents, its sounds and its solitude, Bahia Bustamante Lodge is a paradise awaiting to be discovered. From its magnificent white sandy beaches and crystal clear water, framed by red rocks reaching inland, to its moonscapes of great deserts, it is a marine and earthly paradise inhabited by a great number of birds and mammals.
Exploration activities in the area are proposed on a day-to-day basis, considering tides and weather conditions.
NAVIGATION
Sailing along Malaspina Cove visiting Sea Lion and Seabird colonies
Navigation along this quiet cove towards the Vernacci Islands, which are home to Sea Lions (4000 animals during breeding season), Magellan Penguins (100.000 – Season: October to March) and colorful Marine Bird colonies.
Navigation is done during high tide hours. We organize our navigations according to the right weather conditions.
THE PENINSULA
A Peninsula with sandy beaches, crystal clear water and reddish rocks. Perfect for biking, trekking or touring in our 4×4 trucks, not only to wonderful beaches, but also to sites of great archeological and geological importance. A number of natural swimming pools are formed in between the rocks, and these are great fun for swimming with a view to the open ocean. The peninsula is a world of wonders to enjoy.
THE PETRIFIED FOREST
A 4×4 ride combined with a moderate trekking to the Petrified Forest, located 18 miles away from the Lodge within the limits of our land. The Petrified Forest is a journey to the past. Exactly 60 million years ago expressed in petrified trees and pieces of wood. Fascinating!! During the visit, we will be able to observe all kinds of Steppe wildlife too (lesser rheas, guanacos, maras, and more).
PENGUIN ISLAND
Only 15 minutes away from the Lodge this island is home to a colony of Magellan Penguins.
During low tide hours we reach the island on foot, having the amazing experience of watching penguins, chicks and nests all around us. Along the road to the island we will also be able to observe all kinds of Steppe wildlife.
ARISTIZABAL CAPE
A 4×4 drive to reach this amazing Cape, an important rocky point of imposing landscape, open ocean views & isolated beaches.
On our journey we will come across diverse wildlife such as: lesser rheas, maras, grey foxes, armadillos and more.
Once we reach the Aristizabal Lighthouse, we do a short trek to watch Sea Lions, which usually rest in different spots around the Cape.
ROCK CANYON
A beautiful trekking through the canyon, following the path of a dry river until we reach the ocean. We walk alongside immense walls 15 mts tall, formed by Jurassic rocks from the Mesozoic era.
Some amazing tide pools are great fun for swimming and photo opportunities. We also visit a native archeological site. The canyon is protected from windy conditions, which makes it ideal for bird watching
HISTORIC TOUR
& INTRODUCTION TO THE SEAWEED INDUSTRY
Walk around the Lodge to learn about its history, its founder, inhabitants, the buildings, everything! We will also visit the barnes were the seaweed is processed & learn about the different species found in Bahia Bustamante, its uses & more.
RANCH DAY
& INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE WOOL PRODUCTION
We produce sustainable wool. At the ranch you will understand the production process of wool and meat, and according to the season, you may participate of a day’s work, visiting the corrals and learning about the different activities carried out: shearing, weaning, classification or marking of the sheep.
SELF GUIDED TREKKING / BIKING
around the Graviña Peninsula is also possible.
OTHER EXPERIENCES (not included in the full board) – Horseback riding – Private navigation and island exploration
Wildlife
Bahia Bustamante is an IBAs
Important Bird and Biodiversity Area
Compared to the Galapagos Islands by The New York Times, this is a privileged area to enjoy bird watching: a wide variety of species inhabit different ecosystems: marine, intertidal, marshes, wetlands, steppe, etc. The islands and islets of the region, noted for their diversity of flora and substratum, and the richness of the marine wildlife, create ideal conditions for the seabirds to reproduce. Moreover, they are sheltered from the wind, the swell, and land predators such as armadillos, foxes or skunks.
As a result, this destination is an important scientific research center, not only for Argentinean biologists, but also for international experts who have been studying birdlife in the area for more than 20 years.
OUT OF THE 16 MARINE BIRDS THAT NEST IN ARGENTINA´S COAST, 13 DO IT IN BAHIA BUSTAMANTE
In 21 breading colonies populated with 1 to 7 sea bird species each. Within these 12 marine species we find the Magellanic Penguin colony (spheniscus magellanicus), which reaches up to 100.000 individuals. In the area you may also find significant colonies of Blue-eyed Cormorant (Phalacrocorax atriceps) and Rock Cormorant (P. magallenicus). The Blue-eyed Cormorant is the main guano producer of the country and their colonies have suffered sporadic extractions during the nineteenth century.
2 ENDEMIC SPECIES
The Chubut Steamer Duck (Tachyeres leucocephalus) is found in large concentrations here, as well as the Olrog´s Gull (Larus Atlanticus). Both species are rated internationally as threatened birds.
7 MIGRATORY, 5 NEARTIC & 2 PATAGONIAN SPECIES FREQUENT THE AREA
Bahía Bustamante region is one of the main transitory spots on most coastal bird’s migratory journey - especially for the Red knot (Calidris canutus), the White-rumped sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) and the Hudsonian godwit (Limosa haemastica) that have their main non-breeding colonies on Tierra del Fuego island.
GREAT VARIETY & DIVERSITY OF OTHER MARINE AND STEPPE BIRDS
The Sea Lions colony on the islands (Otaria Flavescens) reaches up to 4.000 individuals. This is a very important colony, representing around 20% of the total number of sea lions which inhabit San Jorge Gulf area. The richness of the area also attracts the presence of killer whales, dolphins and Commerson’s dolphin. With a little bit of luck, on their way from or to Valdes Peninsula, a Right Whale or an Elephant Seal may visit us. As per Steppe wildlife, you will be surprised to see all kinds of native animals that live in this part of Patagonia: Patagonian Cavy, lesser rheas, guanacos are easy to spot and, occasionally, some restless armadillo or skunk may lean out of a thorny bush. The sunset is the best moment to watch a great variety of birds, tinamous and even grey fox and maras.
Contact Us
EMAIL US
RESERVATIONS OFFICE
(Monday to Fridays. 10 am to 4 pm)
LODGE
(10 am to 1 pm & 6 pm to 8 pm)
GPS ADDRESS
Press
Since the opening of the Lodge, in 2005, more than 100 articles in magazines, newspapers, TV, radio and a diversity of websites from all over the world have featured Bahia Bustamante Lodge. They were inspired on the incredible nature, its history and the general experience. Below you will find some stories to start your journey!
«Argentina’s Private (and Secret) answer to the Galapagos» – The New York Times
«The Eco Retreat at the end of the world» – The Telegraph
«One of the 10 truly remote places where your boss can’t track you down» – Bloomberg
«In Need of a Digital Detox? One of the 6 Resorts for a Tech-Free Vacation» – VOGUE
“The One dish to eat in Argentine Patagonia is.. Seaweed” – Conde Nast Traveller
“The 5 most incredible luxury locations for birdwatchers in Latin America” – A Luxury Travel Blog
“5 paradas en Bahia Bustamante” – Quincha.net
“Explorar Bahía Bustamante, con el encanto de pisar tierra virgen” – La Nación
“La misteriosa obra de Boltanski en una playa inhóspita de la Patagonia”- La Nación
“Paraíso de Mar” – La Nación
“Chubut y el Mar” – La Nación
“De Gaiman a Bahia Bustamante” – La Nación
VIDEOS
“The Blue Route” by Francis Mallmann: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLyYOFp6zwM
Partir Autrement in Bahia Bustamante: https://vimeo.com/87707161
Restoring Patagonia grassland – OVIS XXI – TNC – Patagonia Inc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9aeRVzcBzY
Collecting Salicornia in Bahia Bustamante: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoyRP_s_rMs
OTHER MEDIA FEATURING BAHIA BUSTAMANTE LODGE
ARGENTINA
Newspapers
La Nación
Clarín
InfoBAE
El Cronista
Página/12
Perfil
Magazines
Lugares
Weekend
El Federal
Alta – Aerolineas Argentinas
Jardín
Cuisine & Vins
Clase Ejecutiva
Select
La Nación
Aventura
Living
Lonely Planet
and many more
Tv
TN – Variete / En El Camino
Canal Encuentro
Canal Rural
THE REST OF WORLD
The Financial Times (UK)
Conde Nast Traveller (Spain)
Amerian (Germany)
El Mercurio (Chile)
El Pingüino (Chile)
Gael (Belgium)
Carbono Uommo (Brazil)
O Globo (Brasil)
Complot (Venezuela)
News
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We are open! What’s a day in paradise by the sea like? Find out!
WE ARE OPEN! It's been 15 years since we welcomed our first guests. It al began almost by chance,
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A sustainable project
Bahia Bustamante Lodge is a small, family-run project, a private wildlife sanctuary & Eco Lodge set in remote
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Gourmet projects & experiences: Wine, olives and more!
This season has marked the beginning of a new era in Bahia Bustamante Lodge and we have many more
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Bahia Bustamante Lodge in The New York Times
Some years ago two journalists from The New York Times visited us and then wrote this incredible review
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A journey to the past – Learn about the Lodge’s life here in the 60th
Did you know Bahia Bustamante has a very unique past? It was founded in the 1950s as a
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August is sheep shearing time
August is here and with it, a very busy time of the year starts at the Lodge; it