Pinamar beach

From the posh jet-setter, to outdoors enthusiast, to those looking for a quiet place to sun on the beach, Argentina will prove to be a fitting destination.

1. Mar del Plata

The city of Mar del Plata is Argentina’s oldest beach resort town, built in 1874. It is today the most popular beach destination in the country, located around five hours from Buenos Aires.

Surrounded by rolling hills and with some 17 kilometers of coastline, this is a great place to stop off. In fact, those who visit Mar del Plata in the summer will share the sand with up to about 6 million tourists and locals who visit every year. Of course, there are fewer crowds outside the summer months.

Mar del Plata’s resorts are heavily urbanised meaning there is plenty of choice for accommodations, shopping, restaurants and of course nightlife. Some have described it as “beach by day and club by night.”

2. Pinamar

Designer restaurants, boutique hotels, luxury spas and a beautiful beach all define the beautiful Pinamar. Pinamar is especially popular with rich Argentines and tourists as a wonderful place to be pampered and relieve stress.

The major advantage that Pnamar offers is that the evenings are relaxed, making it a better choice than Mar del Plata. It’s in fact possibly the best beach for families with children. Like Mar del Plata, Pinamar is also urbanised with a preserved town and coastline. 

3. Cariló

Cariló is a truly beautiful beach that is exceptionally lavish. Gorgeous cabins hidden away among the foliage and a beautifully maintained beach come at a less than conservative price. This means that only Argentine elite as well as some tourists with a viable budget will be found here.

4. Necochea

Necochea is an enormous 74 kilometer-long stretch of beautiful sandy beaches. The general atmosphere is less exclusive than those previously mentioned beach resorts. As such, Necochea is perfect for travellers on a budget or those in search of something more laid back.

The central area is modern and urbanised with all the commodities and a wide selection of accommodation. However, further west are various undeveloped spots that often get left off the tourist trail. The area is surrounded by sand dunes which are fun to explore.

5. Las Grutas

Unlike the aforementioned beaches, at Las Grutas, there are no high-rise, multi-story resorts or high-end shopping malls. Still, Argentines and tourists alike travel south to these beaches on an annual basis as it is much more of a family beach town than resort getaway.

The dusty streets of Las Grutas play host to innumerable small hostels, hotels and beach houses, not to mention waterfront restaurants upon the cliffs.

Many will agree that Las Grutas is the perfect beach for sand volleyball, exploring the tide pools as the sea retreats for the day, or watching the sunrise over the Atlantic after a long night out.

Most of Argentina’s beaches are found down the eastern side of the country, along the beautiful Atlantic coast. Of course, there is a wide range of beaches, from highly urbanised, 24 hour party resorts, to chic boutique spa retreats and wild, undeveloped stretches of coastline. For those who visit, they will always find that Argentina’s beaches offer something for everyone.