Discover Tehuelches Department

In Gobernador Costa, crafts and the horse festival take center stage; José de San Martín combines history with the Valle de Genoa, while seasonal sport fishing takes place around Río Pico. If you are looking for a hotel, these themes can help guide your trip planning.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

National Route 40 provides access to Gobernador Costa and becomes the town’s main street there. For Río Pico, a government report dated May 22, 2019, describes provincial route RP 19 as a fast, safe, and direct road connection to the rest of Chubut. The report also describes a completed bridge on the approach to Río Pico: a 60-meter-long bridge replaced the old, narrow one-lane bridge. Its seven-meter-wide roadway allowed traffic to flow in both directions. It is worth checking current road conditions before setting out.

Crafts and a Festival in Gobernador Costa

At the craft center, you can watch artisans develop and make their work, and take part yourself. The center is also dedicated to preserving and sharing Indigenous techniques from the region. The Valentín Saihueque Regional Museum offers another way to explore regional history: it displays photographs and objects belonging to various residents of the region.

The Fiesta Provincial del Caballo takes place every February in Gobernador Costa. The festival features parades, jineteadas, and horse-training competitions. If these festival traditions interest you, February provides a specific time frame; check the dates for the relevant edition before your trip.

History in José de San Martín

José de San Martín was declared a National Historic Site by the Argentine government in 1998. The monument to the Tehuelche chief Casimiro Bigua commemorates the historical affirmation of Tehuelche sovereignty in Argentina. Rock paintings and chenques are also part of the local context. This history and the cultural themes in Gobernador Costa offer different points of interest for travelers interested in the region.

Valle de Genoa and Nature

José de San Martín lies in the Valle de Genoa, which is crossed by the stream of the same name. The stream is home to salmonids and pejerreyes, and the area also has diverse birdlife. The La Cruz lookout offers panoramic views of José de San Martín. The landscape, stream, and viewpoint offer different perspectives on the town and its surroundings.

During the fishing season, sport fishing takes place in several bodies of water around Río Pico, including Lago Vintter, Río Nilson, and Laguna Temenuao. Check the season dates and applicable rules before fishing. In the jurisdiction of José de San Martín, guided visits to farms are also offered during the day.

Discover more destinations: Río Pico, Gobernador Costa, Río Senguer Department, Cushamen Department, Rawson Department, Sarmiento Department, Escalante Department, Futaleufú Department.

For the broader travel overview: Chubut.