Attractions around Puerto Saavedra
Lago Budi
This lake is located 10 km southeast of Puerto Saavedra, facing Puerto Domínguez, and covers an area of 56 square km. It is a salt-water lagoon, and the name means “stagnant water” (the same word is also the name of a local type of partridge). Its salty waters contribute to create an environment especially favorable for the development of flora and fauna. 134 species living in the area have been classified, the most striking being the beautiful black-necked swan. There are also cormorants, vultures, gulls etc.
Geographically, the lake forms a series of islands and peninsulas, creating beautiful landscapes. The best way to visit it is by means of a ferry which carries persons and goods between Puerto Dominguez and Isla Huapi, free of charge. The ferry has capacity for three small vehicles and the trip takes approximately 40 minutes.
Playa Maule
This sandy beach, 4 km long, is only 2 km from Puerto Saavedra, which makes it the most import beach of the city. It is located at the foot of Cerro Maule, called “Choñi” in the Mapuche language, but named ‘Maule’ after a ship that sank in the vicinity before the tidal wave of 1960. Before the earthquake the river Imperial flowed into the sea at this point, and it was the entrance for ships from all over the world which called at Puerto Saavedra.
Nowadays, a walk along Playa Maule is a must for those visiting the city of Puerto Saavedra. The Municipal camp site ‘El Cisne’ is also located here, and lodging and food typical of the zone are available.
Boca Budi
This resort is located 3 km from Puerto Saavedra and is in easy reach of the town. It is the point at which the waters of Lago Budi meet the Pacific Ocean forming a number of beaches between them. There are always black-necked swans to be seen, giving the area a memorable touch for visitors.
The ‘Brisas del Budi’ hotel is also located here and lodging of all kinds is available camp sites, huts and hostels.
Puerto Domínguez
This little village is known as the “Garden of Budi”, a name given it by its inhabitants. It is located on the shores of Lago Budi and has a population of 530. It has well-established businesses, gas stations, a hostel and boarding houses for tourists. It is a supply center for the Mapuche communities of the zone.
A ferry providing passage to Isla Huapi departs from the town. There are daily services at 8.30 and 16.30, weekends and holidays included. The ferry transports persons and goods free to and from Isla Huapi. It has capacity for three small vehicles and the trip takes approximately 40 minutes.
The salty waters of the lake contribute to create an environment especially favorable for the development of flora and fauna. 134 species living in the area have been classified, the most striking being the beautiful black-necked swan. There are also cormorants, vultures, gulls etc.
Puaucho
Puaucho is located in Isla Huapi. Here live Mapuche communities who offer their handicrafts and cultural products to visitors. It is characterized by the expanse of its fine sand beaches going down to the ocean.
You can continue south along the wide sandy beach all the way to Tolten Viejo.
Isla Huapi
The ‘Island’ is approximately 6 km south of Puerto Saavedra, and can be reached by an excellent gravel road.
It is not strictly speaking an island but a peninsula, which separates Lago Budi from the sea. Many small streams run down to the shores of the lake, which is remarkable not only for its black-necked swans but also for its salty waters, which make it the southernmost salt-water lake in the world.
The basin is inhabited by indigenous communities who offer their handicrafts and cultural products. You can also find here the Piedra Alta cliffs and the ocean beaches of Puaucho.
Nueva Toltén
The town of Nueva Tolten stands on the south bank of the Río Toltén. It has a population of 2,293 inhabitants. It was built to replace the original Toltén, a fishing village which stood beside the sea and was swept away by the 1960 tidal wave. On the Nigue Norte beach, near the mouth of the river, there is an annual sole fishing championship (Campeonato de Pesca de Lenguado).
Carahue
West of Nueva Imperial and 36 km from Puerto Saavedra, Carahue has a population of 25,000 inhabitants. It is a beautiful town whose railway past has been recaptured, with huge locomotives adorning its avenues. There is a very unusual long bridge, decorated with statues of lions.
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