MAR DEL PLATA: "LA PERLA DEL ATLANTICO"

Mar del Plata's Atlantic coastline stretches over 29 miles and represents the perfect combination between metropolis and nature. Tourist equipment and infrastructure are excellent and constantly evolving. Mar del Plata assures there's something going on every week of the year.

HOW TO ARRIVE TO MAR DEL PLATA?

from Buenos Aires:

Car or coach:
Motorway 2: 404 km / 251 miles
Route 11: 602 km / 374 miles
Route 226: 441 / 274 miles
Rail: 5 hours 30 minutes
Plane: 45 minutes

The airport is situated only ten minutes from downtown. Three airlines operate different national destinations with more than sixty weekly flights that increase during summer season.
Rail traffic reaches almost six arrivals per day. Buenos Aires is about five hours by train.

A four hour trip by car connects the capital city with Mar del Plata through a modern and safe motorway (404 km/251 miles). Three roads (11 - 88 - 226) also link the city with Buenos Aires.

More than fifty coach companies link the city with the rest of the country. The journey from Buenos Aires lasts approximately 5 hours.

Beaches

Mar del Plata was originally named costa galana by Juan de Garay, the founder of Buenos Aires, who visited our region in 1581.

Golden sands, white foam, cliffs, millennial rocks, parks and promenades stretch over 47 kilometres (29 miles) along the Atlantic coastline.

A current from Islas Malvinas gets to our shores and a warm current from Brazil moderates the water temperature that reaches an average of 14º C (57º F) during summer.

Mar del Plata´s medium to fine sand grains are made up of quartz (transparent), feldspar (redish), minerals like nacre or heavier like hematite, ilmetite and zircon. The latter are darker, movable and concentrated over the shore in larger quantities during stormy days.

Wave size, height and stregth are directly related to the beach gradient and winds.

Our beaches often experience rip currents and swimmers may unexpectedly be pulled away to deeper zones. It is advisable to watch for the flags which indicate the daily state of the sea or to ask the lifeguards about it.

In Mar del Plata visitors find beaches which satisfy every taste and the privileged trilogy air, sun and sea challenge their senses to enjoy an unforgettable stay.

BEACHES OF MAR DEL PLATA

Camet
They extend from Camet Park to Constitución Ave. The T-shaped groynes moderate waves forming small bays. They are semi-urban beaches with fine greyish sand, easily reachable through Felix U. Camet Ave.

Acceso Norte
The T-shaped groynes continue from Constitución Ave. up to Independence Ave. Visitors find modern facilities like comfortable restrooms and showers, restaurants, solariums, parking lot, parasol and tent hire, etc. Sand is thicker and turns golden. Good waves make these beaches attractive to surfers.

La Perla
It comprises several beaches connected by boardwalks built in different levels with facilities like bars, restaurants, restrooms and showers, parasol and tent hire, telephone booths, shops and lifeguard protection. Due to their urban location they are crowded and often visited by families with children because of the different recreational activities: gym classes, play areas for children, minifootball pitches, volleyball courts, bodyboarding, etc. They are extensive beaches with semi-coarse golden sand and important breakers.

Punta Iglesia, Bahía Playa Bristol and Paseo Hermitage
Paseo Adolfo Dávila is a rocky zone ideal for recreational fishing. From Alberdi St. to ”Torreón del Monje” along Bv. Marítimo Patricio Peralta Ramos, a wide bay provides an excellent view of the city.
The refilled of sand turned the area into a wide expanse of course sand with a smooth gradient and quiet waters to enjoy bathing.
The “Rambla” is the ideal location to go for a stroll or to have sea food “picadas”, typical appetizers. “Paseo Hermitage” offers a food court, shops and an outdoor stage where the most relevant shows take place during high season.

Varese
The beach area south of “Torreón del Monje” up to Cabo Corrientes offers a wide bay with fine sand, no gradient and smooth waves. The rocks are ideal for sun lovers while the area is enhanced by water sports.

Playa Chica
Mar del Plata is located on the foothills of the Tandilia System. A rocky headland with adjacent terraced grassy spots juts into the sea in this area. It is the ideal place to sunbathe near the waves which beat at the rocks. A magnificent view of “Playa Grande” and the harbour enhances the area.

Playa Grande
Playa Grande Complex extends from General Roca St. as far as the Northern pier. Exclusive resorts with a 1000 car capacity parking lot, restaurants, bars, shops and a 100 m2 (1076 square feet) swimming pool.
Huge beach product of the refilled of sand with the best waves which attract surfers and bodyboarders.

Punta Mogotes
24 beach resorts located in a 4 km (2.5 miles) bay after the harbour. They are connected to the Harbour Natural Reserve by lagoons.
Nature and tourist services merge to offer fine sand beaches, tent and parasol hire, parking lots, restaurants, bars and excellent places to engage in sports such as beach volleyball, football, squash, tennis and swimming.

Punta Cantera – Faro
Between Punta Mogotes and the lighthouse, modern and traditional buildings comprise the area called Punta Cantera where resorts offer restaurants, solariums, tent and parasol hire and fresh water swimming pools by the sea. One of the highlights of the area is the panoramic view of the city.

Southern Beaches
The beach area south of the Punta Mogotes lighthouse is surrounded by pine trees and sand dunes which a few miles ahead turn into imposing cliffs that reach 22 metres (72 feet) over sea level.
They are beaches with fine sand ideal to go for a walk along the coast.
Private beach resorts which offer tent and parasol hire, swimming pools, play areas for children, minishops, an exclusive spa and the option to stay in apartments or cabins.
It is important to mention that nautical facilities are available for the practice of water sports like launch sites and the possibility to reach the shore driving 4x4 vehicles.
Restaurants, bars and clubs where people dance till dawn are among the main attractions.
Young people usually gather in these resorts where renowned brands launch and promote their products during parties and shows.

Chapadmalal
They are located 19 km (12 miles) from the lighthouse roundabout. The wide beaches with cliffs are recognized due to the 9 hotel complex. It´s a beautiful parkland area with a lake and a small chapel.

Theme Beaches
Three alternatives for those who enjoy the sun with no conventions and require more privacy. A naturist beach located 25 kilometres (16 miles) from the city centre. An exclusive gay beach club near the lighthouse with three small pools, restrooms, deck-chairs and a dancefloor. And for those women who are into topless the right beach is near Santa Clara del Mar on Road 11.

SIGHTSEEING

CRUCERO ANAMORA
Visitors enjoy a relaxed and refreshing cruise as they discover the secrets of the city. The vessel, with a capacity of 300 people departs from the harbour offering different facilities over three decks. Bar, solarium, magnificent views and description of the city´s landmarks

TURIMAR S.A.
Sightseeing cruises. Departures: Every 40 minutes from the harbour. Vessels: Ciudad de Mar del Plata, Leonardo Da Vinci, Fortuna, Fortuna ll, Victoria, Anabela, Ciudad de Nápoles. Experienced guides.

Departures depend on weather conditions

THEME PARKS

Aquasol
Wave pool, slides, water rides, solarium, restaurant, picnic areas, barbecue grills, parking areas, locker-rooms, solarium, recreational activities for all ages...

El Paraíso Zoo
"El Paraíso" offers visitors the possibility to see South American, domestic and exotic animals in open spaces that recreate their natural environments. Children playground, Recreational Areas...

SIGHTSEEING FLIGHTS

OCEAN FLYERS - VUELO PANORAMICO
See the entire coast on a 30 minute flight past different coastal and inland zones: the cliffs, the lighthouse, Peralta Ramos Forest, Punta Mogotes, the harbour, Playa Grande, Torreón del Monje, Casino, De los Padres Lake and De los Padres hills

DAY 1
09:00 AM Colón Ave. is the starting point that will lead you up to the coast where you will find a panoramic viewpoint from Playa Varese to Cabo Corrientes, the furthest point on the Atlantic Ocean. Here you will find stylish cafes, bars and restaurants where you can relax and combine the ocean views with delicious breakfasts.

10:00 AM Southwards you will reach Playa Chica and then Playa Grande, one of the best resorts in the city. From the Pedro Luro roundabout the landscape will surprise you. Known as the "Golf Cathedral", the exclusive Mar del Plata Golf Club is situated in this area. It was built in 1900 by the English community and features an 18-hole golf course and excellent facilities. Edward VIII, Prince of Wales, stayed in the club house during his visit to the city. For those who love golf, the royal and ancient game is a way of life. Every golfer relishes the challenge of new and different courses, and in Mar del Plata there is a great opportunity to seek them out. Mar del Plata manages 5 golf courses almost all of which are pay and play.

11:00 AM Once in this zone you can visit the harbour, where you will have the opportunity to see Mar del Plata from the sea and enjoy unique views from a different perspective. Two interesting attractions are represented by the unloading tasks after the fishing boats return to the port and the sea lion reservation. The latter mainly aims at protecting the sea lion, because since 1940, the species did not have any kind of defense and just lay around in boats or docks. The reservation favours sanitary practices, goal set by the Argentinean Fauna Foundation. The settlement is located on a small beach on the internal coast of the South pier. The animals live there all year round. The most outstanding feature of this colony is perhaps the fact tha it is only made up of male animals.

12:30 PM Eating out in Mar del Plata represents another attraction in itself. Visiting the port´s commercial and gastronomic centre is an excellent idea to taste delicious dishes prepared with the best and freshest seafood or to buy canned products and souvenirs.

03:00 PM The tour continues southwards where the Punta Mogotes Complex and the lighthouse are located.

05:00 PM A walk through downtown is always stimulating. This visit allows you to see the classic Mar del Plata, strolling through Bristol and La Perla beaches up to the shopping area and visiting Santa Cecilia hill. One of the best views of the city can be enjoyed from this panoramic viewpoint. Architectural heritage is very rich in this part of the city. You can explore Paseo Dávila and see the mysterious carved in stone figure of the paleontologist Florentino Ameghino and the memorial that commemorates the poetess Alfonsina Storni. Other monuments, beaches, historical houses and squares are included in this tour. In Plaza España visit the "Lorenzo Scaglia" Natural Sciences Museum, that gathers palaeontological, geological, zoological and archaelological material. Several pieces are unique.

06:00 PM After Plaza España you can visit the civic centre. You will find the main square and the Cathedral with its fabulous stained glasses. The main shopping area surrounds the pedestrian street. An interesting option is to visit the Crafts Fair in the heart of downtown where different works are displayed and for sale (leather, glass, wood, ceramics, silversmithing, etc.).

07:00 PM The smell of the linden trees leads you to the shopping malls. This area is home to six cinemas, exciting shops, restaurants, cafés, and play areas for children. The wide variety of stores selling merchandise in every price range such as jewels, clothes, perfumes, among other products will tempt you.

08:00 PM More than 100 theatre plays and musicals are performed during summer nights. 300 restaurants offer Argentinean, French, Spanish, Basque, German, Celtic, Mexican, Japaniese, Chinese and Arab typical dishes.

11:00 PM Several beer varieties are poured in pubs where you will have the opportunity to meet residents while playing pool and bowling.

DAY 2
09:00 AM A great idea for a second day in Mar del Plata is to visit the hills. This area is located only twenty minutes from downtown. Take Pedro Luro Ave. which turns into the Route 226. The countryside is full of sunflowers and corn fields. De los Padres Lake is the place where jesuit missionaries founded the mission named "Reducción del Pilar" in 1746. The present building is a replica built in 1968. The lake and its surroundings offer the possibility to practise several activities in contact with nature like birdwatching and watersports.

10:00 AM The José Hernández Museum was opened in 1960. Its main building belonged to the oldest ranch in the country. The museum gathers antique cobbled-stones, daggers, different kinds of knives, weapons, coins, manuscripts and other elements related to the gaucho´s life

11:00 AM Two kilometres ahead, De los Padres Hill offers over 500 hectares 200 kilometres above sea level. At the entrance to De los Padres Hill, there is a zoo named "El Paraíso" which offers visitors the possibility to see South American, domestic and exotic animals in open spaces that recreate their natural environments. From the panoramic viewpoint you get an incredible view of the hills. The Golf Club´s 18 holes encompass over 40 hectares of beautiful foliage and represent a challenge to golfers.

12:00 PM De los Padres Hill offers restaurants that combine excellent dishes with great views. It is an excellent time to taste the typical Argentinean barbecue, internationally praised for its quality. De los Padres Hill´s natural environment also provides the freshest vegetables to taste.

03:00 PM

Option 1: (Three hour tour)
30 minutes ahead, Balcarce is a beautiful city to visit. There you will be able to visit the Juan Manuel Fangio Automobile Museum. During the trip you will be in touch with the pampas´ great outdoors, one of the most fertile areas in Argentina. On the way back to Mar del Plata you can visit a farm where organic farming methods and jam production processes are displayed not to mention the possibility of visiting the fields full of strawberries, raspberries, figs and plums.

Option 2:
Another option would be to go back to the city for a walk. The starting point is Plaza del Milenio (Millennium Square). Taking the seaside promenade southwards you will reach Torreón del Monje, excellent place to take pictures. The Juan Carlos Castagnino Art Museum is situated in a palacelike residence built as a summer house in 1909. The original furniture of the house was built in Belgium by the Serrurier Bovy firm. There is an important collection of works of art of different artists in the museum.

The Sea Museum with its great collection of sea shells and the "Torre Tanque", are also situated in this area. The latter is a tower located at the top of the Stella Maris hill, 88,40 metres above sea level. There are 193 steps to the top of the tower as well as a lift. Visitors can get a fabulous view of the city.

05:00 PM Güemes St. is located in a residential neighbourhood where luxurious chalets cohabit with shops, restaurants, cafés and play areas for children. "Plaza del Agua" is also situated in this zone.

07:00 PM Gaming action at the Central Casino boasts over 700 slot machines and different table games. Try your luck at Roulette, Baccarat, Blackjack and other games.

09:00 PM Mar del Plata is renowned for its extensive nightlife, with something to suite every taste. Constitución Ave. gathers most of the clubs.

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Thanks to EMTUR, MAR DEL PLATA

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