Mar del Plata, Argentina

Distance from Buenos Aires: 404 Kilometers.

Mar del Plata, a city of Buenos Aires, is considered one of the most popular tourist places of Argentina. It has a coast of 17 Km with beaches and good services.
It is constantly visited because of its sophisticated beach resorts and its important architectonic heritage, including constructions which date back to the beginning of the century. Its parks, squares and gardens with colorful flowers offer a peculiar landscape.
The weather is warm with rainfalls and cool temperatures all the year. In summer, the weather is fresh.

How is it possible to arrive?

People can arrive to this place by air. There are daily flights from The International Airport Buenos Aires of Brigadier de la Colina that is located 10 minutes away from the town.
It is possible to arrive by land through The Provincial Road 2 and The National Route 226. Many bus companies comprehend the mentioned routes.
Another way to arrive is by sea; people can arrive by sailing or yachting, in 48 hours, from Buenos Aires.

Events

The summer regional parties have major assistance. The most popular of such events are:

Fiesta Nacional del Mar (Sea National Party)

It is the biggest of the summer parties. It was created in 1910. The major event is the Fiesta del Mar Queen Patient: the winner is elected among 12 ladies between 19 and 25 years old. The most important task of the queen is to participate on tourist promotion functions in several national and international events.

Fiesta de los Pescadores (Fishermen Party)

This is a “marplatense” tradition that takes place at “cantina del puerto” between 03/27/08 and 03/31/08. This festivity attracts tourists from all over the world who want to enjoy the typical cuisine and the activities that take place each night.
As the name says, this party has and is made by fishers. National and international tourism has come here with the aim of enjoying delicious dishes and wonderful strolls.  

Fallera Week

It takes place from March 10 to March 31. Artistic spectacles in The Colón square and in The "Plantá" Fallero monument like The "Cabalgata Ninot" or The reading of the "Pregón Fallero" are the traditional activities that involve traditional celebrations.

Tourist attractions

Architectonic heritage

The urban landscape is composed by splendid residences surrounded by parks and gardens. Some of them were transformed in museums like Villa Mitre, Villa Ortiz or Villa Victoria. Other ones are stores like Buenos Aires Grocer Shop and the Blanco y Negro Store.
Walking the streets is actually a visual enjoyment. Observing stone details on walls, asymmetric facades, medieval details, English architecture and French mansions is a great spectacle.

La Laguna de los Padres (Lagoon)

You will be able to find in here sportive clubs, some of them, are free entry; there are also camps with recreational activities and sport fields, as well as places for sunbathing and resting. It is the perfect location to fish and take a boat ride.
The beautiful landscape consists on doves, partridges, hares and varied fauna that live among eucalyptus, aromo, poplar, cedar, and pine trees. These are preferred landscapes for people who love outdoor activities.

Sierra de los Padres (Mountain)

It is located 15 minutes away from Mar del Plata, on the Luro Avenue by following the Route 226. It possesses the necessary infrastructure for camping.  In the quarter, it is possible to appreciate the summit which offers panoramic views of the city of Mar del Plata, the valley and the lagoon (Laguna de los Padres). Tourists can visit Los Pañuelos, a miraculous cave, and the Santillán rock; or they can participate in activities like golf, riding, tasting roast, visiting the zoo, learning natural therapies and rowing in the lagoon.

The Provincial Hotel and Central Casino

They are considered Historic National Heritages. They are inspired on the rural French palaces from the XVII century. The casino is one of the biggest in the world.

Torreón del Monje

It is located on the Punta Piedras Gully. It has a restaurant and a café; it is a popular place among tourists.

The Camet Municipal Park

It contains soccer fields, plays for children and horse riding. It is a place where people can practice outdoor activities.
Other tourist interesting places are:
- Los Troncos Quarter
- Alfonsina Storni Monument
- Punta Mongotes Lighthouse

Beaches in Mar del Plata

Camet  beaches. – They are easy-access-beaches. They have breakwaters that moderate the waves by forming bays. The semi-urban beaches have fine and grayish sand. There are lifeguards and some restaurants where people can taste sea food.

Beaches to the north. - They are good swell beaches. They are situated between the Constitución and The Independencia Avenues. In the zone, there are modern buildings, restaurants and a solarium with views to the sea.

La Perla beach.- It is a complex beach interconnected with footbridges in different levels. The vast golden sand areas are situated from the beginning of The Independencia Avenue to The Adolfo Ávila Walk.
There is variety of services like bars, cafés, restaurants and stores. The beaches are commonly visited by families with children because it is possible to find plays, a daycare center, mini soccer and volley fields and music for children.

Iglesia Beach, Bristol Bay and Paseo Hermitage.- This rocky zone is the perfect place to practice recreational fishing. Starting on the coast, there is a large bay that offers wonderful panoramic views of the north and the south of the city. The large beaches, with calm swells, let people enjoy their visit. It is the perfect place to take daytime and nighttime walks.
The Paseo Hermitage has a food court, a buying place and a stage on the open air where there are artistic shows.

Varese beach.-  It is a fine sand bay without slopes and with calm swells. It is surrounded by rocks. This is the preferred place for sunbathing lovers; its landscape includes jet boats, gomones, kayaks, etc.

Small beach.-  It is a beach with few sand and stone terraces surrounded by green areas. This is the perfect place for sunbathing, experiment the marine breeze and having panoramic views.

Big beach.- It is a large beach with the best waves for people who love extreme sports like surfing and body boarding. In the tourist complex of “Playa Grande”, there are many local services like gastronomic and commercial places.

Beaches to the south.- They are located to the south of Faro of Punta Mogotes. These beaches have strip sands and prominent rocks, as well as restaurants, solariums, beautiful freshwater swimming pools and a wonderful panoramic view.

Useful information
To ask for information about Mar del Plata, it is recommendable to visit the information centers of the city where you can also ask for a map. Otherwise, you can call to the information phone numbers below.

EMTUR Mar del Plata
Belgrano Nº 2740
Attention: Monday to Friday/ 08:00 to 15:00
Telephone: 494-4140

Tourist Information Centers
San Luis Nº 1949
Bv. Marítimo Nº 2270. Local Nº 51. Rambla Casino.
Attention: Daily / 08:00 to 20:00
Telephone: 495-1777

OMIC Turística - Oficina Municipal de Información al Consumidor
San Martín Nº 2929.
Telephone: 499-7867/68

Casa de Mar del Plata en Buenos Aires
Corrientes Avenue Nº 1660, Local 16
La Plaza Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires Complex
Attention: Monday to Friday / 10:00 to 16:00
Telephone: 011-43845722 int. 209

Recommendations

Please consider that the urban buses require a magnetic card. There are several places to get these cards; one of such places is located in the intersection of The Independencia and Luro Avenues.