Argentina - Part IV
From Magellan’s Coast to Uruguay
On February 1st, we crossed back into Argentina at Paso Integración Austral, officially beginning our journey north again after reaching the southernmost end of the continent. With mixed emotions, we turned onto Ruta 3, the long Patagonian highway that would slowly guide us toward Uruguay. The vast steppe landscapes once again surrounded us—endless horizons, strong crosswinds, and the familiar rhythm of long-distance overlanding.
Our first stops were small but characteristic Patagonian settlements: Güer Aike, followed by Comandante Luis Piedra Buena, quiet towns shaped by the wind and the Atlantic’s proximity. We continued north toward Puerto San Julián, a historic coastal town where Magellan once anchored during his circumnavigation voyage. The feeling of driving through places so deeply connected to exploration history added another layer of meaning to our own journey.
Further along Ruta 3, we passed Jaramillo, a tiny village that feels almost frozen in time, before heading east toward Puerto Deseado, perched dramatically along an estuary carved by the sea. From there, we continued to Playa La Tranquera, where we found a stunning spot among the dunes. We spent two beautiful nights there, surrounded by sand, ocean breeze, and absolute silence—one of those peaceful Patagonian camps that remind us why we love this lifestyle so much.
Our next stop was less spectacular but equally important for life on the road: a practical overnight stay at the ACA Garayalde service station. Sometimes overlanding isn’t about breathtaking landscapes but about logistics—fuel, rest, and preparation for the next long stretch north. Even these simple stops are part of the rhythm of travel, balancing adventure with the realities of distance and Patagonia’s vast emptiness.
And so, with dunes, ocean views, and service station lights behind us, we continued north—slowly leaving Tierra del Fuego and deep Patagonia behind, but carrying its wild spirit with us.
The following day, we visited Punta Tombo, home to one of the largest Magellanic penguin colonies in South America. Walking among thousands of penguins was a fascinating and lively experience. From there, we drove to Rawson, where we spent two relaxed nights, before continuing north to Puerto Madryn, enjoying an excellent evening of wild camping directly on the beach with the Atlantic stretching endlessly before us.
The next day, we continued to Playa Las Conchillas near Puerto San Antonio Este, a stunning shoreline completely covered with white seashells—a unique and beautiful natural setting for another peaceful wild camp. We also made a stop at Balneario El Cóndor, known for its impressive coastal cliffs and birdlife, before heading inland.
Our route then led us to Laguna La Salada, where we spent two quiet nights, enjoying the calm atmosphere away from the coastal winds. Finally, we continued north through the rolling landscapes of Sierra de la Ventana, stopping for the night in Villa Ventana, a charming village nestled between hills—marking a subtle transition from Patagonia’s open steppe to the greener landscapes further north.
Continuing further north, we stopped in the town of Azul, and then at the welcoming Zappa Ranch campground, where we stayed for two nights, enjoying a slower pace and preparing for our next border crossing.
Finally, on February 22nd, we crossed the border at Fray Bentos into Uruguay, officially leaving Argentina for the last time on our South American journey. It marked the end of an incredible Patagonian chapter and the beginning of a new stage further north—carrying with us countless memories from the southernmost reaches of the continent.
