Bustamante Lodge Bay, “Marine wildlife stay”

Nature lover in all its splendor? What better to enjoy than Bahía Bustamante Lodge, a stay where the majestic marine fauna of the Patagonia Argentina will be your only companion on a trip to the past. Even though this place is small and afar from civilization, it’s full of a wonderful story. The essence of this place founded in the 1950s remains intact.

But what is it, where is it located? Let’s start by telling you that the stay, private since its inception, was created by a Spanish immigrant as an establishment dedicated to the seaweed collection. It is the local workers who, together with their families, maintain alive a village of just over 400 people in the south of Chubut province.

Today, led by the generations of its founder Lorenzo Soriano, this place gives way to the tourism sector under a sustainable project, providing an almost private stay. The silence of this secluded place is interrupted only by the sound of the gusts of wind, the sea waves, the singing of hundreds of birds and marine mammals among which stand out the friendly penguins and wolves.

It consists of 360 degrees of pure nature and faunal diversity. Not for nothing it’s part of the Patagonia Austral National Park and the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve “Patagonia Azul”. As if that weren’t enough, The New York Times has listed Bustamante Bay as “Argentina’s Private (and Secret) answer to The Galapagos”.

HOW TO GET TO BUSTAMANTE LODGE BAY?

Located 300 km south of the Valdés Peninsula, it offers us many options to get there. By plane, you can do it through several airports from:

•         Comodoro Rivadavia (CRD): 189 km away, which involves two hours by car. This is the closest city you can reach with a direct flight from Buenos Aires. It’s a very good choice, considering that there are frequencies of 5 and 6 per day.
•         Trelew (REL): 250 km away that become three hours by car, you can also get here through direct flights with daily frequencies between 5 and 6. In this specific case you could take advantage of the whole look of Patagonia, with a travel itinerary that our travel specialists can help you create.

If connectivity is concerned, you can consider other options such as Neuquén-Comodoro Rivadavia. In this sense, you should keep in mind that you are also served direct flights on the Mendoza and Neuquén oil route, a great choice for those visiting the vineyards province and want to travel to the Bay without passing through Buenos Aires, straight to Comodoro!

That said, it is appropriate to mention Puerto Madryn Airport. Although to this one there’s only one from the Andes Airline that departs from Buenos Aires three times a week, it’s the perfect alternative to combine with the sighting of the Southern Right Whale, which is the only specimen of marine fauna that does not reach Bustamante.

Already at the airport, you will find several transfer options to the stay:

•         Car rental: the option that we recommend due to its price-quality level. We must admit that the shuttle service in these regions of Patagonia can be expensive for some travelers, so if you know how to handle this alternative take advantage, the routes are in very good condition!
•         Private shuttle service: Available at an additional cost to the property. The passenger who wants it, just requests it.
•         Line bus: the most economical option with two recognized transport lines. Basically, you will arrive at Garayalde service station from where we’ll start a 50 km route of private transportation.

ACCOMMODATION AT ESTANCIA BAHÍA BUSTAMANTE LODGE

If you’re wondering where to stay in an almost hidden place, there’s nothing to worry about! The same stay will give you shelter in the six sea houses of the village, with a proposal of “full board”. That said, we’re talking about select groups. The options are:

•         2 standard sea houses: a little simpler than the previous ones. It retains the original windows –though restored– and they don’t have the amenities of the top-level houses. However, it has a plus: both houses are connected through a door, so it’s an ideal choice for families or groups of friends.
•         4 upper sea houses: they are large and comfortable. The living room has a large window that allows us to contemplate the sea from its immensity. Its amenities include coffee machine, exclusive wine cellar and Bluetooth speaker.

Standard or above, any of the house you choose can accommodate up to four people; two bedrooms, one bathroom, living room, mini bar and terrace facing the sea (just 100 meters from its crystal clear waters). The program includes full board (with the exception of drinks), and activities carried out within the immense stay.

Don’t think that’s all. There’s also the five steppe houses that are presented as a cheaper accommodation opportunity. Located on the second line, it gives us another view of the place as is the steppe.

They are simpler houses that do not include activities or meals. Double room, a bathroom and a living room with an extra bed and a kitchenette with anafe, crockery and basic utensils. Every two houses you find a barbecue to dispose of. Maximum occupancy is three guests.

WHAT DOES THE MAIN LODGE IN BUSTAMANTE BAY OFFER?

As we mentioned at the beginning, the stay maintains its essence. Every corner is intact: its school, the church, the police, provisional stores and everything that makes up and characterizes a small town. The houses on the sea arranged for lodging were home to the pioneering “algueros” and with the highest quality level of the time; the supply, for its part, accommodates the main Lodge.

Today, known as “La Prove”, this space houses the common areas of the Lodge. It is a typical Patagonian atmosphere where you will find the Bar & Living. With spectacular views from the inside –through its huge windows– it invites you to relax reading one of the copies of its library of books, guides and bird magazines.

Next to this, a historic room where you will delight with a collection of photos, antique objects and the “Penguin Bar”, which consists of a great place to enjoy the “Happy Hour” before dinner. And speaking of food, we should emphasize that the restaurant stands out for its exquisite and fresh regional cuisine and how not? If the dishes are produced with ingredients typical of the place. Incomparable.

In brief, Estancia Bustamante offers its visitors a gastronomic proposal “from land to table”. While working with a set menu that includes dessert and pure spring water, each dish is made with seaweed, lamb, fish and sea fruits of the stay. In fact, fruits and vegetables are from the orchard where vineyards also begin to grow.

Let’s not forget The Club: a play room with pool, ping-pong, toad and board games that complete all the attractions and goodness that you will find only inside the main Lodge. There’s still a lot to do outside.

ACTIVITIES TO DO IN THE BAY

Now yes, it’s time to talk about the main attraction of the stay and the real reason to travel to this destination. As we said, in a marine and terrestrial paradise, nature makes its own and we cannot waste it.

In this sense, the activities are many. Not only will you have the opportunity to immerse yourself among its beaches of crystal clear waters and white sand, but you can also go trekking, biking and horseback riding; conduct archaeological explorations, know about the bonfire industry that discovered this magical place and sustainable wool production. Also the Petrified Forest, more than 60 million years old, Cape Aristizabal and the Cañadón where you will find even a whale skeleton.

All this, in the midst of the marine and steppe fauna that makes up the Bustamante Bay: sea lions, Magellan penguins (in and out of the water), and more than 125 species of birds among which two are endemic, such as Steam Duck and Olrog Seagull (internationally endangered).

Next to these: cormorants, Antarctic pigeon and many others that will accompany us during the navigations that we will make. Hopefully, you’ll be able to spot some tonines, dolphins and orcas. As for the Southern Right Whale, this is not seen in Bustamante, but in valdés Peninsula where they approach to fulfill their reproductive cycle. Don’t worry, you can ask about the seasons and combine these two wonderful destinations.

To give you a more detailed reference of each activity carried out in the stay, we invite you to look at our article on excursions in Bustamante Lodge Bay. They are mediated activities (everything is near, without traveling kilometers), that depend on a tidal table, high or low; and on the ride and the winds.

ADVENTURE AWAY FROM CIVILIZATION

Ready to get away from civilization? Do not hesitate to contact our travel specialists. They will provide you with all the advice you need to forget about modernity and live a dream vacation in the Bay Bustamante Lodge, “Stay of marine fauna”.

Keep in mind that electricity is obtained through solar panels that provides us with energy from 10:00 to 23:00 hrs (if it is cloudy this schedule is reduced by half), so there’s no phone signal and the WiFi connection is basic. Don’t worry! You won’t need the internet anyways. This place is as magical day and night when we have the stars as companions.

Bustamante Lodge Bay, everything you need in one place!