capital and largest settlement of the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz in Argentina
Rio Gallegos (Río Gallegos) is a town in southern Argentina. There may not be much to see in town but it can be a base for exploring the wider area. The town serves as the provincial capital of Santa Cruz.
Rio Gallegos was originally established to enforce the influence of Argentine over the southern Patagonia. For tourists it can be good jump-off point for exploring Tierra del Fuego and southern Chile.
Patagonia has cheap connections to Rio Grande (~AR$100) and in high-season to Ushuaia. Ask around in one of the tour agents in town. Aerolineas Argentinas and LADE operate to Buenos Aires and other towns throughout Argentina.
The bus terminal is about 3 km from the center. There are bus connections to Rio Grande (Tierra del Fuego) and Ushuaia. Buses arrive from Buenos Aires (36 hours) and Puerto Madryn (16 hr) along Highway 3.
From Buenos Aires the drive goes along the fully paved but sometimes heavily trafficked Highway 3. The distance is 2,587 km. Ruta 40, going along the whole of Argentina from north to south passes through Rio Gallegos. Its southern end is in Punta Loyola, 37 km from Rio Gallegos.
Walk.
