Pinamar

By Shawn O'Bryant

Pinamar is a hotspot for vacationing Porteños fresh out of Buenos Aires and looking for some sand and sun. During the high season (roughly between November and February) the place is literally packed with vacationers, especially on the weekends. The beach is certainly the main attraction and stretches for miles in both directions from the center of town. It is remarkably clean but packed with temporary structures such as beach bars, Kioscos , temporary tents, volleyball nets and soccer goals as well as skimboarders, sunbathers and paddle ball players.

The water of Pinamar is remarkably warmer than other coastal areas of Argentina’s Atlantic coast. Currents flow directly south from Brazil and make swimming a pleasant experience rather than a test of endurance against frigid waters. The color of the Ocean, however, often looks unappealing at first glance. Rather than an inviting blue or green, the water is a muddy brown, often fringed with coffee-looking froth. Although it may disappointing to not see aquamarine at the beach, the color comes from concentrated deposits of “Yodo” a mineral which is said to have healing properties and which is incredibly good for the skin. Some Porteños might even justify a trip to Pinamar to dip in the water for “medicinal” purposes.

The city of Pinamar is also bustling and full of raging nightlife, clubs and bars. On a weekend night during high season there is nowhere more hip to be. Argentine models and movie stars are commonly spotted in the VIP sections of the bigger clubs and many of Buenos Aires wealthiest and most influential will let loose here. But clubbing is not the only scene: the beach is also packed throughout the night with bonfires, reggae bars and smaller beachfront establishments.

Pinamar is a classic beach resort type town, plenty of ways to spend money, indulge in hedonistic pleasures, get a tan and look at the beautiful people strolling the beaches in undersized bathing suits.