About Mar del Plata

Inhabited formerly by the Pampas indians the zone of what today is known as city of Mar del Plata, obtained a late stable population, considering the early date of the discovery of its coasts by Fernando de Magallanes in 1519, and the revenue of its lands by Juan de Garay in 1581.

By the middle of 1700, with the establishment of the Mission Our Lady of Pilar on the banks of the current Lagoon of the Parents, 1200 natives would concentrate on contour creating the first population precedent. Nevertheless the Jesuits would leave the facilities promptly and the tribes would disperse.

One century later would arrive the Portuguese José Coelho de Meyrelles determined to found there a salt factory to fortify commercial trade with Brazil. The population begun to concentrate around the industry plant near the harbor of Laguna de los Padres (Lagoon of the Parents).

The settlement was given its actual name by 1874 by order of its founder.The arrival of the Railroad in 1886 marked strongly this town, waking up its tourist features and increasing its prosperity. The town was declared a City in 1907.

Spontaneous and fascinating, Mar del Plata emerges on the Atlantic Coast of the province of Buenos Aires showing beautiful beaches and offering an endless number of alternatives. Defined as principal seaside resort city of Argentina, it delights with the perfect combination between the privileges that nature has granted it and the tourist infrastructure developed across the years.

Called “The happy one”, exactly for being a center of relaxation, happiness and full enjoyment, the place was in its origins a summer aristocratic town, of which it still preserves a splendorous urban integral image.

At present, accessible and satisfactory for most varied preferences, this coastal city has turned into a favorite tourist destination for family beach vacations, social group encounters, couples and individual travelers, surfers and divers.

More than 55 thousand beach hotel rooms are distributed in establishments from 1 to 5 stars. More than 325 thousand extra-hotel accommodations, among them camping resorts, apartment rent and rural hosting, lodge annually thousands of tourists determined to take delight of the marvels of Mar del Plata. Day and night, at the beach and at the center, this city always has a good news and surprises for every visitor.

Activities in Mar del Plata

Not to miss a walk along the harbor, discovering its magic corners; visit the museum “Del Mar”, with its collection of 30 thousand seashells from all the seas of the world; take delight with magnificent artistic exhibitions at the museum “ Del Hombre del Puerto ”; also “ El Paraiso ”, a zoo that is much more than that amusing its visitors with its fantastic aquatic park. Not to miss the fishermen harbor.

Admire the incomparable natural sceneries; contemplate the city on board of a cruise; sightseeing of marine lions; climb the hills; experiment a spectacular day on a fascinating aquatic park with toboggans and giant pools or on zoos filled with original and exotic species; splendid excursion boats; succumb to the invincible windows-shopping at the microcenter and other commercial streets.

The night is fully lived in the city which, after every sunset, fills with brilliant lights and sound diversity tempting everyone to resist sleep. In quality and quantity of spectacles, the city offers the best cultural and artistic shows of the Atlantic Coast. Theatrical outstanding casts; competitions; recitals, the casino and other programs of entertainment.

The city also offers interesting architechture sights such as the colosal Water Tower Construction.

Beaches and Seaside Resorts

There are smaller beaches and seaside resorts that compose the Mar del Plata coast, turning this city into a tourist exceptional destination, such as Camet , Punta Iglesia, Bristol and Popular, privileged with a wide tourist inflow. The charming and sportive Varese beach, whit a perfect bay for fishing. The distinguished Playa Grande, famous by its selective clubs such as the Ocean Club, the romantic beach of Playa Chica, the Golf Club and Argentine Yacht Club, and recognized by his magnificent summer complexes and his restaurants facing demanding palates.

Not far from the beaches, at about 14 Km from the city, can be found a natural treasure. Be sure not to miss the recreation and leisure resorts of the natural reserve

Laguna Los Padres

Rural Tourism

Like a box of Pandora, Mar del Plata opens infinite tourist possibilities, surprising with a variety of rural tourism. Authentic rest, pure air and tradition, the fields of the Southeast of Buenos Aires exhibit their well equipped rural establishments, tempting with the pleasant enjoyment of unique vacations.

In addition to the enormous beaches, the seaside city is characterized also by the regions dedicated to rural production. The nature, the culture, the history and the traditions conjugate so that the visitor enjoys his stay with the genuine flavor of the field.

The agricultural development, cow sheds, horse breeding, the cultivation of fruits, cereals and vegetables are some of the activities that the rural families of Mar del Plata share with the visitor.

During the day all kinds of activities can be done, like fishing, hunts, horse riding, trekking, observation and exploration of flora and original fauna and swimming pools and sports courts that allow enjoying the fresh air.

The traditional "asado" accompanied by fresh vegetables is the classic meal of the rural lunches. Some ranches hold special events like weddings, birthday and business meetings in lounges of big dimensions furnished with the technical appropriate equipment.

At not more than half an hour from the urban area and the distinguished beaches of Mar del Plata, it is possible to spend a day in the field in ancient ranches of colonial or picturesque style dating from the middle of the 19th century or beginning of the 20th.

The rural recreation complexes invite one to immerse in the "pampeana" culture through exciting trips or staying at comfortable camping resorts, huts or bungalows. Participation in the rural tasks, horse rides, delight of exquisite "asados" head the list of alternatives, whereas the exciting activities of adventure, among them trekking, climbing, rappelling, "tirolesa" (tyrolean crossing) , imprinting emotions on the green scenery of the outskirts of Mar del Plata

Zoos, farms and breeding grounds complete the rural offer of Mar del Plata with sightseeing of species of the South American fauna, in their recreated habitat, walks along cultivated fields, and revealing of gastronomic handmade recipes.

One of the main rural attractions of the area are the farms which developed around the recreation area and natural reserve

Laguna Los Padres

Golf in Mar del Plata

Head office of the Open Championship of the South of the Republic Argentina, the court of Mar del Plata Golf Club, “the old court of Playa Grande ” for the fans, is characterized by its land marked undulations which make the competitions more exciting.

Some of the known clubs which create the excellent proposal for the exquisite sport of golf are: Mar del Plata Golf Los Acantilados club, with his field of 72 hectares and 18 holes; Sierra de los Padres Golf Club, with his court of 40 hectares founded in 1959, and Marayuí Country Club, with his 9 holes and his 122 greens.

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