Main Attractions

* Hit up the city in December and be there for The Fiesta Nacional del Mar ("National Sea Festival"), see the election and coronation of the Sea Queen and her princesses and inaugurate the summer season with the locals before the huge wave of vacationers hits.

* Rainy day? Lose time gambling the day away in Rambla Casino, a seaside casino located in the heart of the city.

* Connect with your inner child on the rides and slides at Aqua Sol water park.

* To soak up some sun head to Punta Mogotes beach, popular for its sports centers, restaurants and vast stretch of sand and surf.

* To appreciate life abajo del mar, check out Mar del Plata Aquarium, with excellent sea lion and dolphin shows as well as a wide range of other marine attractions.

When to go

Mar del Plata has moderate, humid summers with fairly cold winters. The popular time to visit is certainly summertime (Dec-Feb), but if you?re looking to beat the crowds and enjoy some lower prices, the end of spring (Nov-Dec) or beginning of fall (Mar-Apr) will offer nice weather with better options for your budget.

How to get there

The best way to travel to Mar del Plata from Buenos Aires is by bus or train. Both of these methods of transportation are relatively quick, approximately 6.5 hours, and cheap. For buses, try Via Bariloche, Andesmar, Rio Parana, Chevallier, or El Rapido. The train line is called Ferrocaril el Marplatense and leaves from Constitucion in Buenos Aires. Make sure to watch your backpack. From other cities in Buenos Aires buses are the inexpensive option, but planes make the trip quick and easy. The bus lines are the same as out of BA. Plane service covering the area is available from LADE, Aerolineas Argentinas, and Aero Club.

Visa information

Travelers from most countries including the US, UK, Australia, EU citizens, New Zealand, Canada, and Israel do not require a visa to enter Argentina. A 90 day tourist visa will be issued at the airport with a passport. Tourist visas can be renewed for those wishing to stay in Argentina with a quick trip to Chile from Mendoza or Uruguay from Buenos Aires. No tourist visa is required of visitors from Israel for stays up to 90 days.

Tipping

At restaurants it is normal to tip 10%. Taxi drivers do not receive tips but the fare may be rounded up to the nearest peso. Porters can receive a tip of a couple of pesos.