Escalante Department: Coast and Oil History

Escalante Department in Chubut brings together a range of travel themes: oil history takes center stage in Comodoro Rivadavia, while protected areas and coastal towns are defined by nature and wildlife watching. Rocas Coloradas lies north of Comodoro Rivadavia; the Punta Marqués Nature Reserve is in Rada Tilly, and Bahía Bustamante is a coastal town with a diverse birdlife. If you are looking for a hotel, you can start your research by considering which of these themes matters most for your trip.

Oil history in Comodoro Rivadavia

The National Petroleum Museum is a historical site and science museum in Comodoro Rivadavia, and is considered unique of its kind in Latin America. It was built precisely around the historic Pozo No. 2 drilling site. This is where state-owned oil was first discovered in Argentina, on December 13, 1907. The specific location and its history are therefore closely connected.

The museum displays photographs, documents, and machinery. It also has a drilling simulator that is unique in the country. Together, the site and exhibits give the subject a tangible historical and scientific focus. For trip planning, this offers a different emphasis from the nature and wildlife watching at the department’s coastal towns.

Coastal landscapes and marine wildlife

The Rocas Coloradas protected area lies north of Comodoro Rivadavia. It has a wide variety of species, and the colors of its hills reflect the effects of different geological eras. The focus at the Punta Marqués Nature Reserve in Rada Tilly, by contrast, is on marine wildlife. Among other animals, visitors can watch sea lions, whales, and toninas. Those who want to focus on geological formations will find a different thematic emphasis at Rocas Coloradas than at Punta Marqués, where the focus is on wildlife watching.

Bahía Bustamante: coves, birds, and excursions

Bahía Bustamante is a biologically diverse coastal town. Sheltered, shallow coves become visible at low tide and provide feeding grounds for numerous shorebirds and seabirds. Bahía Bustamante is also designated an Important Bird Conservation Area. Thirteen of the 16 seabird species that breed in Argentina nest there. The influence of the tides and the birdlife thus shape two distinct aspects of the coastal landscape.

The Centro de Interpretación de Patagonia Azul uses its exhibition spaces to explain the destination’s locations and activities, as well as threats to nature. The Arroyo Marea campground has several campsites, fire pits, and grills. It also offers dry toilets, a shelter, a communal kitchen, and a dining room. Nature trails and parking for cars and motorhomes round out the facilities. Since facilities can change, it is best to check the details that matter for your trip in advance.

The Bahía Bustamante inn offers wildlife watching, marine and coastal excursions, and visits to a petrified forest. Access is by prior reservation only. If these activities are relevant to your trip, take this requirement into account when planning. This helps distinguish the town’s natural attractions from visits that require reservations.

Putting the coast into context

The Ruta Azul offers a broader regional perspective: this 1,000-kilometer coastal journey passes through two provinces and includes both Bahía Bustamante and Comodoro Rivadavia. It brings the names of both towns together on a longer coastal route, while their individual on-site highlights remain distinct: oil history in Comodoro Rivadavia, geological landscapes at Rocas Coloradas, and wildlife and coastal themes at other stops in the department.

Discover more destinations: Bahía Bustamante, Rada Tilly, Río Senguer Department, Gaiman Department, Tehuelches Department, Sarmiento Department, Biedma, Futaleufú Department.

For the broader travel overview: Chubut.