Las Grutas

The beaches in Las Grutas count with 9 “ramps” that are the actual accesses to the beach due to the presence of cliffs, where different service points for tourists are located. These beaches are safe for bathing and they have long periods of sunlight. They are the only beaches in Patagonia that have warm waters and this is because of a combination of atmospheric and oceanic factors, with the peculiar geographic conformation of their coasts. The tides, the coastside currents circulation system, the high temperatures during the summer and the lack of heavy rains are the factors that create this condition. Tourists can enjoy diverse activities such as walks, beach sports, nautical sports, fishing, excursions, scuba diving, etc, as well as visiting other attractive places nearby this beach resort, like for example Piedras Coloradas, Fuerte Argentino, Puerto de San Antonio Este and Oeste, among others. Every place has a special feature. Going to South along San Antonio Ave. and the seashore, you get to Piedras Coloradas, which is 5 km from Las Grutas city centre. It has an easy access from the beach when the tides are receding and it’s an hour time walk, or only 5 minutes by car. The place is very attractive and quiet and it has interesting rock formations from the precambric era (500 millions of years ago) that have a reddish colour due to the minerals that decompose these rocks. Going down in the same direction you can get to El Sotano, 6km farther from Piedras Coloradas. There is another rock formation here that creates a very particular cave. One kilometre farther from there you get to Cañadon de las Ostras, which is an important marine fossil field that is indeed worth seeing. And about 34km farther from there, in the same direction along the beach, you can get to Fuerte Argentino, but only when the tides are low and with specialised travel agencies as 4x4 vehicles are need for this journey. This place will give you the opportunity to discover a wide variety of attractions that Patagonia has, where you can also do snorkelling and have a beautiful view of the San Matias Gulf. Only 1 km from the city centre, taking the provincial route Nº2 to the north you can go up Mt. Banderita, which has a natural viewpoint, where you will have an amazing view of the gulf from a different angle. Between Fuerte Argentino and Mt. Banderita you will have then 2 outstanding views of the same gulf. 14 km away, on the same Route Nº2 you will find the city of San Antonio Oeste, a place full of history that has very old train houses and a very strong harbour tradition where you will learn about the work and lives of immigrants by going to the historical centre and the cultural museum among other attractions. In 2005 this city in Patagonia was already 100 years old since its foundation. Taking the national Route Nº3 and then to the east on a provincial route you will find a very interesting road that ends at the port of deep waters of San Antonio Este. You will first see Playa Villarino, a place with long beaches and seashells, very quiet and intact, ideal for camping in the open air. After that you can also visit the international harbour of deep waters where the company in charge allows the entrance of visitors to see their facilities. You also have the chance to go down the Coast side Road by taking the national Route Nº3 that goes from San Matias to La Loberia Natural Reserve, with unique natural attractions of Patagonia. Another option is to see the Gualicho Salt Lake, 45 km taking the provincial Route Nº2, the biggest salt lake in the country. It is located at 72 metres below the sea level, and it is full of fossils as it used to be part of the ocean bottom. You can lodge in Las Grutas anytime of the year and then travel to Puerto Madryn, do all the excursions during the day and then go back at night and rest in Las Grutas. For all these reasons, the long beaches, warm waters and lots more, we are expecting you to visit this beach resort soon.