Planning a summer vacation on the Argentine Atlantic coast for a family of four (a couple with two children) requires a realistic budget that combines accommodation, transportation, beach activities, and dining. The controversy sparked by prices in Florianopolis serves as a benchmark to measure whether local spending remains competitive, and data obtained by the Noticias Argentinas agency shows a wide range of prices. Below is an overview of estimated costs for a week (7 days) in January 2026, dividing destinations into two segments: Economy/Mid-range (Mar del Plata, Villa Gesell, Necochea) and Premium (Pinamar, Cariló).
Accommodation (The unavoidable base cost) Renting a 2 or 3-room unit (for 4 people) is the most significant expense. According to the Mar del Plata Real Estate College, basic apartments for four people start at ARS 470,000 per week. While in a central resort area of Mar del Plata or Pinamar the weekly cost can match that of an economical rental, Necochea offers significantly more accessible options.
Beach Expenses: Tents and Umbrellas Using beach clubs is an optional expense that heavily impacts the budget but offers comfort and services.
Key Point: The price difference is enormous. If you cook, this value is drastically reduced.
Estimated total weekly budget (7 days - January 2026) The total cost varies depending on the destination choice and spending level on food and beach activities.
Expense Category Minimum/Budget Option (Mar del Plata/Gesell) Mid-range Option (Mar del Plata/Pinamar) Accommodation (7 days) 470,000$ 700,000$ Beach (Tent/Umbrella) 0$ (Own umbrella) 450,000$ (Tent in Pinamar) Food (3 days out, 4 days cooking) 100,000$ (Beach food own) + 210,000$ (Dinners) = 310,000$ 200,000$ (Meals out) + 150,000$ (Beach food/churros) = 350,000$ Transportation (Fuel, tolls) 140,000$ (Estimate CABA - Coast - CABA) 140,000$ Extra Expenses (Ice cream, churros, outings) 50,000$ 100,000$
TOTAL MINIMUM 970,000$ 1,740,000$
Is the Argentine coast competitive? The base cost of a one-week summer vacation on the Atlantic coast for a typical family starts at a minimum of ARS 970,000 (close to a million pesos), opting for budget accommodation, without renting a tent and cooking most of the time. If a mid-level option is chosen (better accommodation and tent rental), the budget soars to a range of ARS 1.5 to 2 million. For example, just breakfast at a café (ARS 30,000) and dinner at a mid-range restaurant (ARS 40,000) makes the weekly food spending alone exceed ARS 490,000. Prices vary drastically depending on the city, proximity to the sea, and amenities.
Destination Type of Accommodation (7 days in January) Price Range (ARS) Economy/Mid-range (Mar del Plata, Gesell) 2/3-bedroom apartment, 4 pax 470,000$ to 800,000$ Premium (Pinamar/Cariló) Central 2-bedroom apartment 800,000$ to 1,500,000$+ Luxury (Cariló/Emerald Coast) House with pool/ocean view USD 1,700 to USD 2,500+
Gastronomy (eating on the beach and dinners) This is the most variable expense, depending on whether the family cooks or eats out. We use the "Milanesa Duel" (ARS 9,800) as a reference and contrast it with prices from beach clubs and restaurants.
Item / City Portion for 1-2 people (ARS) Estimated Daily Cost (Family of 4, ARS 35,000 per meal) (ARS) Estimated Weekly Cost (ARS) Milanesa Sandwich (Beach 12) 9,800$ (Giant for 2) N/A (Reference) N/A Hamburger w/ Fries (Beach Club - 1 person) 12,000$ - 15,000$ N/A N/A Basic Lunch/Dinner (Rotisserie/Simple restaurant) Calamari (portion): 20,000$ / Milanesa w/ fries: 12,500$ 35,000$ - 50,000$ 245,000$ - 350,000$ Breakfast/Afternoon Snack (Croissants and coffee) Combo 3 Croissants + Coffee: 7,900$ (Pinamar) 15,000$ 105,000$ Cooking in the apartment N/A 100,000$ - 150,000$ (Conservative estimate) N/A This upper range, often set in dollars, is what once again puts the Argentine coast in the debate against destinations like Florianopolis.
The key for the Argentine tourist in 2026 will be the daily spending strategy: saving on the beach (using a free umbrella) and on food (cooking and bringing food to the beach) is what truly allows for a vacation week to stay below the one-million-peso threshold.
