Comodoro Rivadavia

Understand

thumb|right|View of the city and the Chenque hill thumb|right|San Martín street in the city center

Comodoro Rivadavia, often simply called Comodoro, is the center of one of the most important oil extraction regions in Argentina. Founded in 1901 as a port for the agricultural colony near Sarmiento further inland, the fate of the city changed in 1907 when petroleum was discovered. The wealth of the city has attracted numerous immigrants from all over Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru. It's one of Argentina's most expensive cities to live in, mainly because of high rents. However, for visitors the prices are similar to other Patagonian cities.

The modern city offers very few historical buildings, but has some nice museums and beautiful sights and places to walk. The most interesting area for visitors is the Rada Tilly beach which belongs to an independent town. The northern neighborhoods and suburbs, like General Mosconi, Villa Astra, Caleta Córdova or Diadema Argentina are beautifully located between colorful hills, unfortunately some of the beaches of this area are polluted and swimming is forbidden.

The climate is typical for the Patagonian coastline, with warm summers and cool winters. It is often windy, above all in spring. The best time to visit the beaches is between January and March, as the water temperature until December is chilly.

Get around

There are several bus lines serving the distinct neighborhoods and suburbs of Comodoro Rivadavia. The bus to Rada Tilly runs approximately every 30 minutes.

See

thumb|right|The old train station, now home to the Museo Ferroportuario thumb|right|Downtown Comodoro Rivadavia

Do

Climb the hill and get a spectacular view of the city. The hill can be accessed from the Ruta 3 just north of the center or walking through the poorer neighborhoods west of the center (not recommended after dark). Visit the north-east of the center. The water is fresh, particularly in early summer when it has around 15°C, while in February and March it can reach almost 20°C.

Buy

The downtown area, mainly the sector north of Avenida Rivadavia and between Francia street and the coastline, offers a wide variety of goods. Prices are comparable with Northern Patagonian cities and lower than in Southern Patagonia, so if you are going further south, it's a good idea to buy your daily needs here.

Stay safe

Despite the wealth of the city, there is still a lot of poverty in Comodoro Rivadavia, and the high inequality has contributed to a relatively high crime rate. As a visitor, you should be wary like in the large Argentine cities and avoid walking around in poorer suburbs, particularly at night.

Go next

thumb|right|Rada Tilly

Rada Tilly is home to one of the most beautiful beaches of Argentina. The resort town is located in a small bay surrounded by steep hills. It lies 10 km south of the city and is a separate municipality of about 10 000 inhabitants. The town is quiet, without much nightlife, and visited mostly by Chileans. It is also a popular "bedroom suburb" of Comodoro Rivadavia. More beaches are located on the way south alongside the Ruta Nacional 3 to Caleta Olivia. Most of them don't have infrastructure. In Sarmiento, about 200 km. inland, you can visit two enormous lakes and petrified woods.