I am trying to decide on a beach get away during our stay in BA Jan/Feb 2012.

I talked to a young couple at a cocktail party held by some fellow Canadian the last time that I was in BA. They thought that Mar del was horribly over-crowded. I was thinking of going to a beach area north of Montevideo, Uruguay. Punta del Diablo sounded kind of laid back, funky & fun. Then, I read a few blogs where people were burgled while they slept in their rooms! From what I have read on Punta del Este sounded a bit too much like Cancun for my taste. The quote it remember reading about it was "too many rich people trying to impress each other."

Any thoughts about a place my DH & I can chill out on a beach for a few days & where we can walk for miles in the sand?

As is the case with so many things, I feel this is a matter of taste. My first piece of advice would be to go as late as possible in the local holiday season, because it will be less crowded.

While the Uruguayan beaches have many fans, I prefer ours, mainly because the nights are reasonably cool. Punta del Este has more of a tropical weather. Our beaches in general also have larger waves than the ones you'll find in Punta del Este.

Mar del Plata IS crowded, during our summer holidays, but much depends on where you are staying. I would stay South of the central part of the town.

There are many smaller beach towns, both North and South of Mar del Plata, where you most certainly would be able to "walk for miles in the sand".

Summing up my advice:

1) Go as late as possible, ideally in early March, when all the kids are back in school.

2) Rent a car in BA and drive out there, or take a plane or bus and rent a car in Mar del Plata.

3) Drive along our coastline and stop wherever you feel like it.

I suggest checking out this place: http://www.marayui.com.ar/en/index.htm

Contact Ms. Elisa de Estrada Bosch Alvear.

Obviously, you'll have a great time touring our beaches.

avrooster: Thank you for your information. Another poster on the TA forum also, gave Mar del Plata very high praise as a beach destination. I will have to look at more information on the web, travel books, etc.

We are staying in BA Jan/Feb 2012 as I mentioned in the first sentence of my post. March will not work for us.

Yes, I knew TA DE Veritas likes Mar del Plata, but I wouldn´t be caught dead in some of the places he mentions.

As said above, I would try to stay mostly South of the central part of Mar del Plata, which he describes.

Might shoot up to Iguazu if you have not been

consider nexussurf.com Florianopolis my fav if

time and money 42 perfect beaches.

Uruguay beaches off the beaten path also nice

if challenged for time or money.

Happy Travels,

qwovadis: I looked Florianopolis on the web. It looks gorgeous! But, Jan/Feb is the rainiest season of the year, there. What has your experience (for rain) been at that time of the year?

We have been to Iguazu.

I went to Mar del Plata several years ago. I was not impressed. I probably stayed in some of the places AV would not be caught dead in.

The place AV recommends looks great! While in MDP, I did go on a tour to the southern beaches...much nicer than downtown. Since that time, I have learned enough about the beaches north of MDP to know that there are lots of family friendly beaches there as well.

Thank you, Doc!

If you ever feel like going to one of our beaches, I suggest you research that place I mentioned above and try to go before Christmas or in early March, to avoid the crowds.

You will love Floripa. January, February are high season, great weather, at least for us and others.

For Uruguay look north of PDE, to Jose Ignacio.

If you have the time head to Rio for those few days. You have both beach and city, and a fabulous destination. Good luck.