Rawson

Rawson is the capital city of Chubut Province in Patagonia (Argentina). It is known for its Welsh heritage, and its seaside location with beaches, rocky shoals populated by sea lions, and a fishing fleet known as the flota amarilla.

Rawson has a population of just under 25,000 residents (2010). It was founded by immigrants from Wales in 1865.

The closest city with an airport is Trelew, though flights are infrequent. Buses from Trelew to Rawson are available, but it is close enough to use local taxis or shared vans.

Buses from Puerto Madryn to Rawson are operated by various bus lines on an infrequent schedule (typically once or twice daily). The trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and costs about US$5. Buses are operated by Andesmar, Viatac, and Tramar.

• -43.303843-65.0973941 Rawson Terminal de Omnibus, Gregorio Mayo 599-659. Daily 07ː00 - 00ː00. Buses to other cities in the region depart from this main terminal which has few traveler services, is generally run-down, and is a strong contender for the title of "Filthiest Restroom in Argentina". Running water in the bathroom is almost as rare as finding toilet paper in the stalls, most of which either have no door on the stalls, no seats on the toilets, or neither.  (updated Aug 2026)

Walking is possible within the core downtown area but you'll want a taxi to get to the La Union beaches (about 7 km from downtown). Private taxis called remises operate like an Uber but at a fixed rate for a given route. The way these work is to call a central dispatch number and they send a car for you. Local hotels can call a car for you, or you can usually flag down a taxi in the city center.

• -43.296299-65.1072531 Museo de los Soldados del Malvinas, Julio Argentino Roca 556, ☏ +54 280 448 5262. Mon-Fri 08ː00 - 14ː00, closed Sat-Sun. Historical military museum chronicling the brief war fought by Argentina to evict the imperialist occupiers of the British empire.  (updated Aug 2026)

• -43.303661-65.1048662 Museo Regional Salesiano, Luis Costa 293, ☏ +54 280 448 2623. The museum is within a school and is closed most of the time. It is only open to visitors with prior appointments. If you can jump through the myriad hoops to get in, you'll find a collection of historical artifacts of the first settlers in Rawson to those of the Welsh colonists and the Salesian missions. Includes exhibits about local flora and fauna, antique weaponry, and much more.  (updated Aug 2026)

• Playa Union is a popular beach with wide stretches of sandy shoreline
• Playa de las Esculturas is known for its unique sculptures carved into rocks and the cliff face by local artist Milton Frintt over several years up until 2016. The sculptures portray people as well as animals found in nature of the area. To get to the sculptures, park at Playa Los Cangrejales and walk south, the path is only usable during low tide and you only have a limited time to view the sculptures before the incoming tide drives you back.
• Whale and Dolphin watching tours depart from Puerto Rawson to see schools of bottlenose dolphins.

• -43.299537-65.1059281 Constantino, Alejandro Maiz 0, ☏ +54 280 485 8048. Mon-Fri 07ː00 - 00ː00, Sat-Sun 09ː00 - 00ː00. Traditional coffeehouse serving latte, cappuccino and americano along with basic Argentinian light food. Fried seafood dominates the menu but the local favorite is the seafood rice. AR30,000.  (updated Aug 2026)

• -43.302411-65.0860592 Sanber, Antartida Argentina y Av. Juan Vucetich, ☏ +54 9 280 486 0139. Daily lunch 12ː00 - 15ː00, dinner 19ː00 - 01ː00. Burgers, seafood, pasta.  (updated Aug 2026)

• -43.297573-65.1102481 CerVeza Artesanal Fuerte Viejo, Ezcurra 786, ☏ +54 280 441 3688. Mon-Sat 19ː00 - 23ː00, closed Sun. Small craft brewery that typically offers four beers on draft. Charcuterie boards and artesanal cheese available.  (updated Aug 2026)

• -43.302476-65.1080172 Rijavec Cerveceria, Gobernador Tello 88. Fri-Sat 19ː00 - 22ː00, closed Sun-Thu. Small craft brewery making a handful of ales including a golden ale, a red ale, and a ubiquitious IPA. Occasionally, a darker, maltier beer, like a stout, will be available. Beer is also available in growlers to go.  (updated Aug 2026)

There are several Airbnb-type apartments available in the beach areas of Playa la Union.

• -43.29951-65.1049381 Hosteria Sampedro, Belgrano 744, ☏ +54 280 472 8468. Small guesthouse with spacious, comfortable, clean rooms at affordable rates that include breakfast.  (updated Aug 2026)

• Puerto Madryn
• Trelew
• Valdes Peninsula