Rawson

Rawson, the capital of Argentina’s Chubut Province, lies along the Chubut River near its Atlantic mouth. Welsh settlers arrived here in 1865, creating the region’s first permanent colony. Walk across the Puente del Poeta, a bridge constructed by Welsh poet Griffith Griffiths, or step inside the Berwyn Chapel, built in 1881 as the valley’s first chapel. Watch fishing boats unload their catch at Puerto Rawson, then try shrimp empanadas at a nearby restaurant. Visit Playa Unión to swim in the Atlantic or watch kitesurfers glide across the waves. The estuary here is home to Patagonian dolphins, which often swim close to shore. With museums documenting Welsh settlement and a dry climate that brings hot summers, Rawson mixes provincial calm with coastal energy.

Welsh History and Key Landmarks

Rawson’s story begins with Welsh immigrants who arrived on the clipper Mimosa in 1865. The Berwyn Chapel, completed in 1881, reflects their early community life through its unadorned wooden structure and role as a gathering place. At the José Hernández Cultural Center, you’ll find tools, clothing, and photographs from the settlement era, including images of Griffith Griffiths’ bridge. This bridge, originally built in 1889, was renamed Puente del Poeta in 2001 to honor Griffiths’ dual work as a carpenter and poet. The Salesian Museum near the river displays fossils, indigenous tools, and taxidermied animals from the region.

Coastal Wildlife and Estuary Visits

Five kilometers east of Rawson, Puerto Rawson’s port stays active as fishing boats return with hake, shrimp, and crab. Book a boat tour from the harbor to observe Patagonian dolphins, which have distinct black-and-white markings and often swim alongside vessels. South of the port, Magagna Beach stretches across four separate zones where locals catch octopus using wooden traps called pulperas. At the Chubut River mouth, look for petrels diving for fish or sea lions resting on docks near the fishing fleet. General San Martín Park provides walking paths through groves of trees, a small zoo with local animals, and picnic tables under shade.

Beaches and Water Sports

Playa Unión, the closest beach to Rawson, becomes lively in summer as people swim in the Atlantic or try kitesurfing. Rent a kiteboard from shops along the shore, or join a fishing charter to catch silverside near the estuary. In the evenings, the beachfront promenade fills with diners eating grilled hake or shrimp empanadas at open-air restaurants. Magagna’s Bonita and Cangrejales beaches south of town have rocky areas where you can find crabs in tide pools or cast a line from the sand. From December to March, lifeguards monitor swimming zones, and weekend volleyball games draw both players and spectators.

Seafood and Seasonal Festivals

Meals in Rawson focus on fresh seafood, including king crab stews, grilled hake, and shrimp served with creamy sauces. Restaurants near Puerto Rawson often serve dishes made with fish caught that morning, accompanied by Malbec or Torrontés wines from Patagonian vineyards. Each February, the Fiesta del Salmón fills the port with music, dancing, and stalls selling smoked salmon sandwiches. Welsh traditions appear during Eisteddfod events, where choirs compete and poets recite verses in Welsh and Spanish. Stop by the Mercado Municipal to buy jams made from local berries, hand-knitted wool scarves, or bread baked in clay ovens.

Travel Tips and Transportation

Summers in Rawson (December to March) are hot, with temperatures often reaching 30°C (86°F), while winters average 10°C (50°F). Fly into Trelew Airport, 20 kilometers west, which has daily flights from Buenos Aires. Buses from Trelew’s terminal take 30 minutes to reach Rawson, or rent a car to visit Trelew’s dinosaur museum or Puerto Madryn’s whale-watching spots. Stay at a guesthouse near Playa Unión for easy beach access, or book a room at Hotel Provincial downtown to stay close to museums. Pick up maps and tour information at the Dirección de Turismo on Avenida Guillermo Rawson.