Comodoro Rivadavia

Introducing Comodoro Rivadavia

Surrounded by dry hills of drilling rigs, oil tanks and wind-energy farms, tourism in the dusty port of Comodoro (as it’s commonly known) usually means little more than a bus transfer. What this modern, hardworking city does provide is a gateway to nearby attractions with decent services. It sits at the eastern end of the Corredor Bioceánico highway that leads to Coyhaique, Chile.

Founded in 1901, Comodoro was once a transport hub linking ranches in nearby Sarmiento. In 1907 the town struck it rich when workers drilling for water struck oil instead. With the country’s first major gusher, Comodoro became a state pet, gaining a large port, airport and paved roads. Today it is a powerhouse in the now-privatized oil industry. Although the recession hit hard in 2001, this boomtown rebounded with a flashy casino, elegant shops and hot rods on the streets.

Commerce centers on the principal streets Av San Martín and Av Rivadavia. Av San Martín between Mitre and Belgrano has upscale boutiques and shops unknown to most of Patagonia. A climb up 212m to the mirador atop Cerro Chenque, smack dab in the middle of the city, offers views to Golfo San Jorge.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009