While Argentina isn’t known for powdery white beaches and transparent warm waters like some Latin American countries, it does boast 4,989 km of coastline as well as lakes, streams and rivers. As a result, what Argentina lacks in tropical vibes, it more than makes up for in rugged natural beauty, as revealed in this run-down of the best beaches in Argentina, including the best beaches near Buenos Aires, and the best beach towns in Argentina.
As touched on above, while Argentina is more famous for its mountains, wine, and tango, it also offers a diverse range of beaches, especially along its Atlantic coastline, which stretches from the Buenos Aires Province down to Patagonian shores.
So, whether you're seeking a vibrant resort town, a wild coastal escape, or family-friendly sand, the best Argentina beaches have you covered.
While urban beaches like Mar del Plata are ideal for socializing and nightlife, and those seeking convenience and entertainment, quiet, untouched beaches invite relaxing in nature.
At the same time, even wilder, more rugged options (like beaches near Puerto Madryn, where you can watch whales from the beach) will make wildlife enthusiasts and adventurous travelers very happy.
In addition, some of the best beaches in Argentina are great for surfing, among them Playa de Mar De Ajo.
Keep reading for more detail on the best beaches in Argentina, along with how to get to them, and when to visit.
Considering taking a trip to Argentina? Take the hassle out of planning by browsing our Argentina itineraries, or contacting our local travel experts.
Mar del Plata's heyday was in the 1920s, when wealthy porteños flocked here by train, hoping to exchange Buenos Aires’ swampy weather for cool Atlantic breezes.
Today, the country’s largest fishing port is surrounded by a cluster of the best beaches in Argentina, each with a different personality.
Hands down Argentina’s biggest seaside resort, there are plenty of beaches to choose from. Playa Grande’s waves attract wannabe surfers and pro riders. Beautiful people pitch up on La Caseta’s yellow sands. Meanwhile, Punta Mogotes fills with families sharing mates and playing games at low tide.
For the ultimate Mar del experience, spend the day on close-to-bursting Playa Bristol in front of the casino, just to say you’ve done it.
Those who can afford to book into a balneario (private beach club) with various facilities such as a swimming pool and bathrooms rent a carpa (tent) and sunbeds for a fortnight.
Want to spend time the city before hitting the beach? Wise up on the best things to do in Buenos Aires, and where to stay in Buenos Aires.
You could fly to Astor Piazzolla International Airport (daily flights from Buenos Aires take about an hour), or take a train from Buenos Aires’ Constitución Station to Mar del Plata (6–7 hours).
Buses are actually a little faster and take 5.5–6.5 hours from Buenos Aires, or you could drive the 410 km (255 miles) from Buenos Aires via Ruta 2 (around 5 hours).
December to March (summer) is peak beach season – expect warm weather, and big crowds.
Meanwhile, the shoulder season months of November and April offer milder temperatures, smaller crowds, and are good times to visit for quiet walks.
Mar del Plata is one of the busiest beaches in Argentina © JopsStock/Shutterstock
While this port city's main draw is as the jumping-off point for visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Valdés Peninsula, Puerto Madryn offers up a few trump cards of its own.
Playa Paraná on the Nuevo Gulf offers up a stretch of very white sand, which turns into a seaweed bed come low tide.
Time your visit right, and you could be sharing this bay’s waters with the famous southern-right whale (May to late November). Other bayside aquatic activities include snorkelling with friendly sea lions, SUP and kayaking.
All things considered, it's clear why Playa Paraná is one of the best beaches in Argentina for wildlife lovers and water sports.
From Puerto Madryn, take a 10-minute taxi ride along Boulevard Brown and Route 1towards Punta Loma, or else hire a bike for a scenic 30-minute ride.
It's also walkable in about 90 minutes from central Puerto Madryn, though that might not be ideal in the peak summer heat.
The best time to visit is during the Patagonian summer, November to March, when temperatures are mild and pleasant, and the water is warmest for swimming, snorkeling and diving.
Golden sands, warmish Atlantic currents and manageable waves await at Pinamar, which translates to pine trees on the sea.
This beach town complete with a fishing pier and surrounding forest attracts families with little kids, while kite surfers head here in summer for the vigorous breezes.
If you can acquire a 4X4 or quad bike, drive north up and over the sand dunes. From here, you'll find one of the best beaches in Argentina — La Frontera Beach.
A great destination for relative peace and quiet, time your visit to see unadulterated pink-and-purple ocean sunsets.
Drive north from central Pinamar via Avenida Bunge, then follow Route 11, turning toward the beach near La Frontera entrance.
Most travelers park where the pavement ends and walk or drive along the sand.
It’s also reachable in about 45 minutes to 1-hour walking from central Pinamar, but be prepared for sandy paths.
For warm, sunny weather and lively beach atmosphere, visit in summer, with spring (October–November) and fall (April) also great for peaceful walks and enjoying the raw coastal beauty.
Looking for pre-trip inspiration? Discover the best things to do in Argentina.
The wide expanse of beach at Pinamar © JopsStock/Shutterstock
A few miles south of the sister town Pinamar, Cariló’s fancy houses and lovely gardens attract the wealthy upper class that chooses to vacation in Argentina.
A quiet spot home to just 300 families out of season, visitors might be surprised by the number of cars that cross the dunes and park up on the beach itself.
This is the country’s top resort, chosen by politicians, impresarios and celebrities looking for a tranquil safe haven.
If it's tranquility you're after, and the best beach weather, you'll need to research the best time to visit Argentina — one of our top Argentina travel tips.
Carilo is located in Buenos Aires Province, just south of Pinamar and north of Villa Gesell.
From Buenos Aires, drive 360 km (4–5 hours) via Ruta 2 and Ruta 11, then exit toward Cariló.
From Pinamar, it’s reached 15 km (20 minutes) south via coastal roads.
Meanwhile, direct long-distance buses run from Buenos Aires to Pinamar and Villa Gesell, with local transfers to Cariló.
The best time to visit is December to March — the prime (and peak) season for beach weather, boutique shopping, outdoor dining and forest walks.
Cariló beach, where the rich and famous come to play © Alex Ruhl/Shutterstock
When the end of the world (Ushuaia) hits its annual top temperature of around 24Cº in summer, fueguinos strip off at Playa Larga in Tierra del Fuego.
The hardiest even brave the Beagle Channel’s icy waters. An hour’s trail from the main road leads visitors to this remote nature reserve, where a shingle beach awaits.
Keep an eye out for whales, penguins and petrels — this is one of the best beaches in Argentina for extraordinary animal encounters and adventure.
Keen to cover more ground in your trip? Read up on getting around Argentina.
Playa Larga is located 7 km east of Ushuaia, in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.
From town, 15-minute drive along Ruta Nacional 3 (Avenida Héroes de Malvinas) turns onto Camino Playa Larga.
November to March (spring and summer) are the best times to visit.
Playa Larga, on the southern tip of Argentina © Pablo Rodriguez Merkel/Shutterstock
For mountain views and Alpine vibes from your towel, pitch up at one of the lakeshores around Lago Nahuel Huapi in Bariloche.
Summer temperatures in this part of Patagonia can hit 30ºC so don’t forget to slap on some sunscreen.
Families while away days at Playa Serena, which makes it a top place to visit in Argentina with kids. At the same time, sporty types head to Playa Bonita for scuba diving and kayaking.
Lago Nahuel Hapi might not be the ocean, but its lakeside shores count as some of the best beaches in Argentina.
You can fly into San Carlos de Bariloche Airport from Buenos Aires (2 hours) or other major Argentine cities.
Long-distance also buses connect Bariloche with Buenos Aires (22–24 hours), Mendoza, Neuquén, and Puerto Madryn.
In addition, Bariloche is a key stop on Ruta 40, making it perfect for Patagonian road trips — Ruta 40 is one of the most incredible journeys in South America.
Local buses and taxis serve most beaches, especially along Avenida Bustillo, which hugs the lake.
December to March offer the warmest weather and best conditions for swimming, kayaking and sunbathing.
Nahuel Huapi Lake in Bariloche, part of Argentina's Lake District © elbud/Shutterstock
It’s not all Atlantic waters around Buenos Aires. Tigre’s cola-coloured rivers and streams that form part of the Paraná Delta are just an hour’s train ride from the capital.
Despite the colour, the water is clean — the coffee hue comes from sediment picked up on the rivers' journeys.
Escape the town of Tigre on a lancha colectiva (boat taxi) to an island resort such as Playa Catalina, which accepts day visitors, then work off lunch by kayaking or rowing.
One word of warning — Tigre is busy year-round, especially at weekends.
Tigre town is located about 30 km north of Buenos Aires, on the edge of the Paraná Delta.
Taking the train is the best option — the Mitre Line (runs rom Retiro Station in Buenos Aires) directly to Tigre Station and takes an hour.
For a slightly longer, more scenic route, transfer at Mitre Station to the Tren de la Costa, which hugs the river and offers charming stops before arriving at Tigre.
In addition, some companies offer boat transfers and river tours from Puerto Madero to Tigre.
Spring (Sept–Nov) and fall (Mar–Apr) offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and ideal conditions for boating and walking.
Rowing along the canal in Tigre © elbud/Shutterstock
Las Grutas — a seaside resort located in the province of Rio Negro — is the main resort in Patagonia, and renowned for its microclimate and the warmest waters on the Argentine coast.
With plenty of room for sunbathing, swimming and various water sports. Las Grutas Beach is one of the best beaches in Argentina for families — the waters of San Matías Bay are clear and relatively calm.
In addition, the local waters contain a high concentration of salts and iodine, which have therapeutic properties.
Las Grutas is located in Río Negro Province. To get there by air, the nearest airport is San Antonio Oeste, about 15 km from Las Grutas.
Flights from Buenos Aires (AEP) are seasonal, mostly operating in summer months (Dec–Mar).
Long-distance buses also run from Buenos Aires, Bahía Blanca, Viedma, and Bariloche to Las Grutas or San Antonio Oeste. The travel time from Buenos Aires is 15–18 hours.
If you rent a car, you can drive 1100 km (12–14 hours) from Buenos Aires via Ruta Nacional 3 — ideal for road trips through northern Patagonia or along the Atlantic coast.
Again, the best time to visit is December to March. The sea here is unusually warm for Patagonia, making it swimmable and family-friendly.
Burrowing Parrots at nesting place in a cliff at the sea, Las Grutas, Province of Rio Negro © Shutterstock
Another place full of white sandy beaches in Argentina is the coastal town and resort of Mar de Ajó, located in the province of Buenos Aires.
The city's beaches attract large numbers of visitors during the summer and offer plenty of sunbathing space, and various water activities including surfing, water-skiing and jet-skiing.
Frequent long-distance buses depart from Buenos Aires, with a travel time of 5–6 hours.
Alternatively, drive from Buenos Aires via Ruta 2 and then Ruta Interbalnearia (Ruta 11). This will take around five hours.
With warm temperatures that are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and enjoying lively boardwalks and beachfront restaurants — and lots of family-oriented events during peak holiday season.
Monte Hermoso is also a popular resort in the province of Buenos Aires.
The town's main attraction is its beaches, which are well-maintained and have all the necessary beach attributes, such as showers and sun loungers and umbrellas for rent.
A unique feature is that it's the only beach in Argentina where the sun goes down and comes up into the sea, allowing visitors to stay on the beach for longer.
Daily long-distance buses depart from Bahía Blanca (the nearest city; 1.5-2 hours) and Buenos Aires (9–10 hours).
Alternatively, fly into Bahía Blanca Airport from Buenos Aires (1.5-hours) and take a bus, taxi or rental car to Monte Hermoso.
The best time to visit in December to March (summer), when the town is lively with markets, beach events, and restaurants in full swing.
February is slightly quieter than peak-season January, and still offers great weather.
The stormy scene at the beach in Monte Hermoso, Argentina © Shutterstock
Ready to start planning your trip? Read our guide to how to plan a trip to Argentina, and wise up on getting to Argentina and Argentina accommodation.
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For example, if you're short on time, you can cover plenty on a 7 days Argentina itinerary, though extending that to a 14 days in itinerary Argentina comes highly recommended.
written by
Sorrel Moseley-Williams
updated 21.05.2025
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