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From La Plata to Miramar

Through the Samborombón Bay. Kilometres: 585

In this route, you leave from the City of La Plata towards the southeast for the Interbalnearia Provincial Route 11. You go past Punta Indio and Parque Costero del Sur, skirting the Samborombón Bay. Then, you reach the Punta Rasa Nature Reserve, and you can go on with the Atlantic Route through villages such as Pinamar, Villa Gesell, and Mar Chiquita, until reaching the cities of Mar del Plata and Miramar.

Road Sheet 

  • Kilometres: 585
  • Road type: 95% paved. The section from Magdalena to Punta Indio is gravel road (about 40 kilometres)
  • Recommended months: all year round
  • Suggested time: 3 to 4 days

Itinerary

KM 0

City of La Plata

La Plata is the capital of the province of Buenos Aires. Known as "the city of diagonals", it is distinguished since it is one of the few cities in the world that was designed before being built.

It has 23 parks and squares and a large green area called Paseo del Bosque, where there is also a botanical garden. In addition, you can visit the Municipal Ecological Park in Villa Elisa (15 kilometres from the city centre), with trails to walk and see different birds and animals, such as lizards, guinea pigs, and hares. The Parque Pereyra Iraola Nature Reserve is also 26 kilometres away.

This city has more than 20 museums, including the Museum of Natural Sciences, an emblem within our country’s museums; the Museum of Art and Memory, a venue for reflection on democracy and human rights; and the Emilio Petorutti Provincial Museum of Fine Arts, with collections that show the diversity of orientations and trends of contemporary art in Argentina.

There is an extensive and varied cultural programme, with musical shows, cinemas, theatres, and cultural centres with options for all ages. It is worth making a stop at the old train station, the Cathedral, the Children’s Republic, and the Casa Curutchet (a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site).

The city offers free outings with bike circuits, walking tours, and audio guides to explore and discover its main attractions. More information on La Plata’s tourism website. 

KM 49

Magdalena and El Destino Private Nature Reserve

Continuing along Provincial Route 11, you reach the city of Magdalena. Eighteen kilometres from the city, you can visit the El Destino Private Nature Reserve, full of beaches, forests, grasslands and logging, and an old estate centre surrounded by gardens. It has been declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. You can walk along its trails, go horse riding, or sleep in the reserve campsite.

Magdalena has a rich history that can be experienced through its streets and emblematic places, such as the Spanish Theatre, the Posta de Aguirre, and the Regional Historical Museum.

Continuing along Provincial Route 11, you reach the city of Magdalena. Eighteen kilometres from the city, you can visit the El Destino Private Nature Reserve, full of beaches, forests, grasslands and logging, and an old estate centre surrounded by gardens. It has been declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. You can walk along its trails, go horse riding, or sleep in the reserve campsite.

Magdalena has a rich history that can be experienced through its streets and emblematic places, such as the Spanish Theatre, the Posta de Aguirre, and the Regional Historical Museum.

KM 87

Punta Indio and Parque Costero del Sur Biosphere Reserve

Punta Indio is a great place to enjoy the beaches of the Río de la Plata. In addition, it has restaurants, resorts, accommodation, and campsites.
 
Heading south for about 5 kilometres, you can find the Parque Costero del Sur Biosphere Reserve, which has trails for walking and biking, horse riding excursions, and visits to the estates. There is a viewpoint offering a wide view of the park and a monument to the Argentinian White Morpho, an emblematic butterfly of the region.

KM 310

San Clemente del Tuyú and Punta Rasa Municipal Nature Reserve

On Provincial Route 11, 217 kilometres from Punta Indio, there is San Clemente del Tuyú, a good place to stay and explore one of the main nearby natural attractions of this circuit: the Punta Rasa Municipal Nature Reserve, just 10 kilometres to the north, at the southern end of the Samborombón Bay, where the Río de la Plata river meets the sea.

This place is one of the most important stops for migratory birds arriving from the Northern Hemisphere in summer, and from the Southern Hemisphere in winter. In March, from the San Antonio Lighthouse, you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views and see flocks of up to 20,000 specimens of common terns.

Among wild beaches, coastal dunes, and small lagoons, you can also see dolphins, South African fur seals, and Commerson’s dolphins. The reserve is ideal for spending the day.

On Provincial Route 11, 217 kilometres from Punta Indio, there is San Clemente del Tuyú, a good place to stay and explore one of the main nearby natural attractions of this circuit: the Punta Rasa Municipal Nature Reserve, just 10 kilometres to the north, at the southern end of the Samborombón Bay, where the Río de la Plata river meets the sea.

This place is one of the most important stops for migratory birds arriving from the Northern Hemisphere in summer, and from the Southern Hemisphere in winter. In March, from the San Antonio Lighthouse, you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views and see flocks of up to 20,000 specimens of common terns.

Among wild beaches, coastal dunes, and small lagoons, you can also see dolphins, South African fur seals, and Commerson’s dolphins. The reserve is ideal for spending the day.

KM 428

Villa Gesell and Querandí Lighthouse Reserve

The city of Villa Gesell is one of the most visited tourist spots on the Buenos Aires coast.

In addition to enjoying its beaches, you can visit the Faro Querandí Reserve, 35 kilometres heading south. It is a natural reserve protecting the biodiversity and ecosystem of the coastal dunes. With its trails, bird watching outings, and guided tours, you are encouraged to learn about the flora and fauna of the dunes, marshes, grasslands, and beaches. Either 4x4 vehicles or authorised providers are necessary to access the reserve.

Find more information on how to get to the must-visit Faro Querandí Reserve.

The city of Villa Gesell is one of the most visited tourist spots on the Buenos Aires coast.

In addition to enjoying its beaches, you can visit the Faro Querandí Reserve, 35 kilometres heading south. It is a natural reserve protecting the biodiversity and ecosystem of the coastal dunes. With its trails, bird watching outings, and guided tours, you are encouraged to learn about the flora and fauna of the dunes, marshes, grasslands, and beaches. Either 4x4 vehicles or authorised providers are necessary to access the reserve.

Find more information on how to get to the must-visit Faro Querandí Reserve.

KM 501

Mar Chiquita Atlantic Park

Continuing along Provincial Route 11 about 75 kilometres to the south, the Mar Chiquita Atlantic Park offers environments with great biodiversity, such as dunes, mountains, grasslands, beaches, crab beds, marshes, wetlands, streams, and the distinctive coastal lagoon or albúfera, separated from the sea coast by a narrow strip of sand and connected to it by a narrow channel (it is unique in the country and rare in the world). This is an IBA site (an important area for the conservation of birds).

You can explore trails by walking, enjoy the beach, and practice water sports.

Continuing along Provincial Route 11 about 75 kilometres to the south, the Mar Chiquita Atlantic Park offers environments with great biodiversity, such as dunes, mountains, grasslands, beaches, crab beds, marshes, wetlands, streams, and the distinctive coastal lagoon or albúfera, separated from the sea coast by a narrow strip of sand and connected to it by a narrow channel (it is unique in the country and rare in the world). This is an IBA site (an important area for the conservation of birds).

You can explore trails by walking, enjoy the beach, and practice water sports.

KM 516

Camet Norte

This is a small seaside village, just 2 kilometres from Santa Clara del Mar, with wild cliffy beaches, ideal for practising kitesurfing all year round.

You can visit the Theme Walk, an open paleontological park, with self-guided trails and several life-sized dinosaur sculptures.

In Santa Clara del Mar, you can see the Pachamama Natural Sciences Municipal Museum, with palaeontological collections exceeding 3,000 pieces.

This is a small seaside village, just 2 kilometres from Santa Clara del Mar, with wild cliffy beaches, ideal for practising kitesurfing all year round.

You can visit the Theme Walk, an open paleontological park, with self-guided trails and several life-sized dinosaur sculptures.

In Santa Clara del Mar, you can see the Pachamama Natural Sciences Municipal Museum, with palaeontological collections exceeding 3,000 pieces.

KM 538

Mar del Plata

It is one of the main tourist destinations in Argentina and the heart of Buenos Aires’ beach resorts. It offers accommodation of all categories and a wide variety of gastronomic proposals related to its port.

Beaches with forests, cliffs, and bays converge with its landscape. One of its attractions is the Puerto de Mar del Plata Natural Reserve, a major protected area with trails for walking surrounded by wetlands, lagoons, grasslands, dunes, and beaches. It is a great place for bird watching: more than 150 species have been recorded, many of them migratory.

The architectural heritage of Mar del Plata is representative of Argentina’s history since it combines landowner’s old chalets from the beginning of the 20th century, the old boulevard designed by Alejando Bustillo, and modern buildings, such as La Casa del Puente —an architectural gem— built by Amancio Williams.

In addition, it offers wide cultural options and shows in all its numerous theatres and museums, including the MAR Contemporary Art Museum.

Find more information on Mar del Plata’s tourism website.

It is one of the main tourist destinations in Argentina and the heart of Buenos Aires’ beach resorts. It offers accommodation of all categories and a wide variety of gastronomic proposals related to its port.

Beaches with forests, cliffs, and bays converge with its landscape. One of its attractions is the Puerto de Mar del Plata Natural Reserve, a major protected area with trails for walking surrounded by wetlands, lagoons, grasslands, dunes, and beaches. It is a great place for bird watching: more than 150 species have been recorded, many of them migratory.

The architectural heritage of Mar del Plata is representative of Argentina’s history since it combines landowner’s old chalets from the beginning of the 20th century, the old boulevard designed by Alejando Bustillo, and modern buildings, such as La Casa del Puente —an architectural gem— built by Amancio Williams.

In addition, it offers wide cultural options and shows in all its numerous theatres and museums, including the MAR Contemporary Art Museum.

Find more information on Mar del Plata’s tourism website.

KM 557

Barranca de Los Lobos

Heading south for about 20 kilometres from Mar del Plata, you reach Barranca de Los Lobos, with walls from palaeontological sites. It is an ideal place to take a break and observe marine fauna.

The scenic route de las Olas begins here.

Heading south for about 20 kilometres from Mar del Plata, you reach Barranca de Los Lobos, with walls from palaeontological sites. It is an ideal place to take a break and observe marine fauna.

The scenic route de las Olas begins here.

KM 563

Chapadmalal

Going on along Provincial Route 11, you find Chapadmalal, a city with lodgings, restaurants, and inns. Between the countryside and the sea, its landscape combines extensive beaches, dunes, and cliffs.
 
In this town, there is the Chapadmalal Tourist Unit (declared a National Historical Monument), with nine social tourism hotels on the coast. It offers a wide variety of free recreational, sport, and cultural activities, and it is also possible to take guided tours to visit the Eva Perón Museum. Find more information on the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ website.

A few kilometres from Chapadmalal, the scenic route de las Olas ends.

Going on along Provincial Route 11, you find Chapadmalal, a city with lodgings, restaurants, and inns. Between the countryside and the sea, its landscape combines extensive beaches, dunes, and cliffs.
 
In this town, there is the Chapadmalal Tourist Unit (declared a National Historical Monument), with nine social tourism hotels on the coast. It offers a wide variety of free recreational, sport, and cultural activities, and it is also possible to take guided tours to visit the Eva Perón Museum. Find more information on the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ website.

A few kilometres from Chapadmalal, the scenic route de las Olas ends.

KM 585

Miramar

This trip ends in the town of Miramar, which, in addition to beaches, has a great natural attraction just 5 kilometres from the centre: the Florentino Ameghino Dune Forest, also known as the “Energy Forest”, with trails for walking and cycling. Among dunes and eucalyptus and pine forests, among other species, this garden centre has more than 500 hectares and is a great place to spend the day.

In addition, you can visit Miramar’s Museum of Natural Sciences, dedicated to the geology, palaeontology, archaeology, and marine biodiversity of the Buenos Aires coast. You can see full-scale animal sculptures and the only fossil footprints of a Sabre-toothed cat in the world, which were found in the city. Find more information about activities, days and opening hours in the Museum Facebook account. 

This trip ends in the town of Miramar, which, in addition to beaches, has a great natural attraction just 5 kilometres from the centre: the Florentino Ameghino Dune Forest, also known as the “Energy Forest”, with trails for walking and cycling. Among dunes and eucalyptus and pine forests, among other species, this garden centre has more than 500 hectares and is a great place to spend the day.

In addition, you can visit Miramar’s Museum of Natural Sciences, dedicated to the geology, palaeontology, archaeology, and marine biodiversity of the Buenos Aires coast. You can see full-scale animal sculptures and the only fossil footprints of a Sabre-toothed cat in the world, which were found in the city. Find more information about activities, days and opening hours in the Museum Facebook account. 

Useful information

- The cities of Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata have airports.

- There are good and varied accommodation options, especially in the most tourist destinations. There are also hotels on the route and many camping sites.

- You can do this circuit all year round. To see migratory birds, the ideal time of the year is from September to March. If you want to enjoy the sun and beaches, from December to March.

- If you drive in a 4x4 vehicle on beaches, dunes, and coastal reserves, make sure you are in permitted areas.

- In many places, there is no mobile phone signal nor Wi-Fi. Download the maps in advance or take paper maps with you.

- Remember to camp only where it is allowed. Use bags for all your waste and always take them with you. Build campfires only in authorised places and drown them with plenty of water.

Downloads
 
- Map of Plains and Atlantic Coast
- Guide with Tips for Travelling in Nature