Travel guide · Province of Santa Cruz
All of Santa Cruz, from the Andes to the sea
Santa Cruz has glaciers, mountains to hike, hands painted thousands of years ago, stone forests, rockhopper penguins and the bay where Magellan spent the winter. We'll tell you how to get there.
Cover: Patagonian coast and steppe in Monte León National Park, Santa Cruz. Photo: Lara Fernández · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
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The whole province
From the Andes to the coast: destinations along Route 40, Route 3 and the provincial roads.
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Sourced
Every page cites its official sources and the date we checked them. For opening hours, prices and border crossings we link to the official source so you can confirm before you set off.
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Made by locals
Written in Puerto San Julián, with local businesses and practical tips for road-tripping.
Destinations
See all
Photo: Gastón Cuello · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Coast · Route 3
Puerto San Julián
The bay where Magellan's expedition spent the winter of 1520 — today a small town on Route 3, with marine wildlife just minutes from the center.
Photo: Claudio Elias · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Northwest · Lake Buenos Aires
Los Antiguos
Cherry orchards on the shores of Lake Buenos Aires, a stone's throw from Chile. A rare microclimate in the middle of the steppe.
Photo: Mikelzubi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
North coast · Deseado estuary
Puerto Deseado
A 40 km estuary carved into the plateau, with dolphins and cormorants minutes from the harbor and rockhopper penguins out at sea.
Photo: Mariano · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Route 40 · Río Pinturas
Cueva de las Manos
Negative hand stencils, guanacos and hunting scenes painted in the Río Pinturas canyon. A World Heritage Site since 1999.
All destinations by region:
Puerto Deseado · Caleta Olivia · Pico Truncado · Las Heras · Jaramillo and Fitz Roy · Penguin Island and the Deseado Estuary · Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve · Koluel Kayke
Puerto San Julián · Monte León National Park · Puerto Santa Cruz · Comandante Luis Piedra Buena
Routes
Photo: Raf24~commonswiki · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Route
Northern Route 40
From Perito Moreno south across the steppe: rock art, canyons and small towns with long distances between fuel pumps.
Articles
Photo: Natifuzz · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Practical guide
Things to do in Gobernador Gregores
Fishing lakes, the memory of 1921 and the gateway to Perito Moreno National Park, in the heart of the Santa Cruz plateau.
Photo: Mikelzubi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Practical guide
Puerto Deseado weather: when to go
Official temperatures, the boating season and what the wind means for trips on the estuary and to Penguin Island.
Photo: Claudio Elias · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Practical guide
Jeinimeni Pass: how to cross from Los Antiguos to Chile Chico
Documents, vehicle papers, the SAG customs declaration and where to check whether the pass is open, with official sources.
Photo: Raf24~commonswiki · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Practical guide
Route 40 in Santa Cruz: fuel, gravel and distances
Where to fill up, how many kilometers lie between fuel stations and which stretches are still gravel, with a source for every fact.
Featured businesses
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Frequently asked questions
What is Santa Cruz Profunda?
An independent guide to the province of Santa Cruz that covers the whole territory: the Andes and the glaciers, the Route 3 coast, Route 40 and the provincial roads.
When is the best time to travel?
For most destinations, spring and summer (roughly October to April). For example, trips to Penguin Island run from mid-October to April, and National Parks recommends visiting the Petrified Forests from November to April. Confirm dates before you travel.
Do I need a 4x4?
Not for the main roads, which are paved. Many access roads (RP 97, RP 49, RP 41) are gravel: a high-clearance car helps, and it's always worth checking with Vialidad Provincial.
Is the information up to date?
Every page cites its sources and recommends checking anything that changes often before you travel: opening hours, prices, dates and border crossings.
How do I add my business?
See the For businesses page for the available plans.