Mar del Plata is the huge beach resort town just five hours south of Buenos Aires.

Trains leave Buenos Aires from Constitución and buses leave from Retiro. If you opt to travel by train, pay the tiny bit more for the “pullman” class car- it’s the difference between night and day! 

Unlike many resort towns, Mar del Plata functions year-round as a city, although it gets a huge population boost in the summer.

You will have to wade through a sea of Argentineans before reaching the sea at the popular downtown beaches Bristol, Playa Chica and Playa Grande. For a more tranquil beach experience head to one of the less crowded (and more posh) southern beaches like Punta Magotes.

Most of the places to stay are located downtown, which is within walking distance to many beaches, San Martin pedestrian street, “La Rambla” beachfront promenade, the world-class casino, many museums and more.

You can’t miss the Havana building, with their trademark “alfajores” or the landmark restaurant Manolo for their “chocolate con churros.”

If you’re not the beach-lounging type, Mar del Plata also offers many adventure options. Starting with the watersports, try your skills surfing, long boarding, wake boarding, wind surfing, or scuba diving. Don’t like the water? Take to the air paragliding or skydiving.

Outside of town you can trek, rock climb, rappel, kayak and horseback ride at the Sierra y Lago de Los Padres.

You can also take boat excursions around the bay or visit the Museo del Mar to see their collection of over 30,000 seashells.

Climb up the 80 m high Tanque de Obra Sanitarias tower for a 360º panorama of the city and ocean.

Check out the port in the afternoon to see the many fishing boats return with their day’s catch as well as the resident sea lions playing in the water.

Mar del Plata’s nightlife is booming along Constitución street. Note that night clubs don’t open before midnight or later. Also, many places flyer on the pedestrian street downtown offering free cab vouchers!

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