Rayh52

We are planning to spend a week in and around BA over New Year's. One of things we'd like to do is lay out at the beach, but I'm not finding listings for beach resorts. Money is no object. Any advice?

liz

Two options:<BR>1. Fly to Puente del Este in Uruguay, an American type resort where the River Plate meets the ocean. It has a Hilton with a casino but otherwise looks like La Jolla. Uruguay seems like the US, good infrastructure. A quick trip from the local airport in BA. The town has action but the water on the beach is dark since it is the river mixing with the ocean, not dirty but dark. Also some good restaurants and you will never have better beef or wine than in Uruguay.<BR>2. Fly to Florianapolis, Brazil (maybe two hours) and try somewhere there, where all the Argentines used to go (when they still had money). It has gorgeous water and beautiful people (think Guga and Giselle Bundchen). There is a big resort there called Costao do Santinho but I don't like it, too many families. Instead rent a car and drive an hour south to Praia de Rosa, and stay at the Quinto do Buccanero, a charming charming place just as gorgeous as Big Sur but with warm water! It is a surfer mecca but the Quinto is just for couples, only 10 rooms, a lovely pool high on the hill with a jaw-drop view, beach service and a terrific restaurant. The town itself has various dining option. HOWEVER--these things are probably booked up fully through January 5th. I would try to go after New Years but it is still summer vacation here and will still be crowded. Check out www.roteirosdecharme.com.br to see the hotel, part of a small group of select charming hotels geared to couples. <BR>These are where Argentines with money would go.

liz

PS If money is truly no option, take a helicopter from the airport in Floripa to Praia de Rosa. The hotel has a heliport. You won't need a car there and no place to park outside the hotel, etc., and the highway to get there is nerve-wracking with tons of huge trucks. I don't say this lightly! I told my husband I am not going back except by helicopter until the road gets overhauled by the government. (just two lanes).

liz

Almost forgot! Also near Floripa (Santa Catarina State, Brazil) is a new luxury resort called Ponta dos Ganchos, adults only, all individual villas with amazing ocean views, fitness center, small but charming beach, very nice restaurant, food, service, if you want oysters the guy goes in a boat and gets them for you, very high end-chic. Each suite has a fireplace, outdoor jacuzzi and sauna. When you will be there you won't need any of these because it will be hot and you will spend all day in the water. You can do the real dolphin tours and see the wild dophins and many other beautiful, natural things. This is a kick-back place like somewhere you would find in the Carib, with high-end sophisticated couples though as it is new, mostly Brazilians. You would find it really special, again just fly to Floripa and then the hotel sends a car to pick you up, about a 45 minute smooth drive on a great new highway and then country roads to get there. They also have a tennis court, and an indoor pool. Very nice buffet breakfast and all other meals are basically prepared according to your wishes -- shrimp, salmon, oysters, pasta -- with a nice wine list.

marta

Punta del Este in Uruguay is gorgeous, it is a 3 hours trip in hydrofoil from Buenos Aires or a 1/2 hour flight from the domestic airport. There are good beaches, not Caribbean style, but nice in the Costa Atlantica. The closest nice beach to BA is Pinamar, 380 km from BA Mar del Plata, (400km) is another option, but tends to be packed with locals in January, even more this year, when the devaluation will keep the locals inside Argentina for their holidays.<BR>There are &quot;beaches&quot; in the north suburbs of Buenos Aires (like Vicente Lopez or San Isidro) but they are not good, there is river, not sea, and quite polluted. Feel free to e-mail me for more info.<BR>