Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MarDel Plata
Mar y Sierra, Argentina's vacation coast, is
the 30-mile stretch along the Atlantic be-
tween San Clemente del Tuyo and Mar del
Palata. Here, tranquil beaches and often placid
seas are interspersed among towering cliffs and
rocky shores that are continuously beaten by
crashing waves. Argentina's summer play-
ground extends from the Atlantic coast inland,
covering an area of 569 square miles of shore-
line, rolling hills and pastures, lakes and la-
goons. This is the General Puerrydón district of
the province of Buenos Aires. Its capital is Mar
del Plata, “La Perla del Atlántico” (The Pearl of
the Atlantic), 250 miles south of Buenos Aires.
Prior to its development, sea lions (
lobos
marinos
) inhabited much of the Atlantic coastal
waters, especially the beaches south of Mar del
Plata, which today are among the most exclu-
sive of the region. The zone was known as
La
Lobería
and there are even references, dating
as far back as 1885, to carriage rides from the
Hotel Bristol to look at the sea lions. Unfortu-
nately, the sea lions attracted hunters as well
as nature watchers and their numbers began to
decline quite rapidly. Nowadays, sea lions are
protected. Visitors can again observe them in
their “natural environment” at the
Reserva
Natural Barranca de los Lobos
or catch
their show at the Mar del Plata Aquarium.
Argentina's
most famous
beach resort.
Mar del Plata is
bustling in the
summer with
great restau-
rants and night-
life. Yet once the
tourist season is
over, most places
close down -
though a few are
open weekends.
