A seaside resort in Buenos Aires Province, lacking technological connectivity, becomes an ideal destination for long talks, walks, mate by the sea, and nights under a completely clear sky where the Milky Way can be clearly seen — an increasingly rare sight on the Atlantic Coast.
The beaches of Centinela del Mar are characterized by being wide, wild, and little-intervened. It is also a key site for scientific research, with archaeological and paleontological studies revealing shipwrecks, historical artifacts, and indigenous burial grounds thousands of years old.
Centinela del Mar, one of the best-kept secrets of the Argentine coast, is located about 500 kilometers from Buenos Aires, between Miramar and Necochea. This wild place offers an experience completely different from traditional destinations. That's why those who make it to Centinela del Mar have a clear objective: to disconnect from routine and slow down.
Centinela del Mar belongs to the General Alvarado district and has a minimal urban layout: a dozen houses, a small grocery store, an old chapel, and only one tourist accommodation. There are no hotels, private beaches, or crowds: just open sea, wind, sand, and silence. Daily life revolves around the beach and direct contact with the natural environment.
The only accommodation in the place is called La Lagartija, which also functions as a general store and cultural center. There, in addition to staying, tourists can learn about the local history and the indigenous peoples who inhabited the area, such as the Tehuelche. The tranquility that reigns in Centinela del Mar is reinforced by the absence of cell phone signal and public lighting, according to the Argentine News Agency.
In addition to sunbathing and swimming in the Argentine Sea, many visitors take advantage of the natural conditions to practice surfing, kayaking, kitesurfing, and stand-up paddleboarding, always in a context of low attendance and great scenic beauty.
Although small, the resort has several points of interest that surprise first-time visitors: the historic chapel, one of the symbols of the place; a restored train car, now a postcard of the town; the ruins of the old hotel, which operated until the 1980s; the former Alfonsina Storni Primary School, now a scientific station; the only coastal general store in the Buenos Aires Province; folkloric peñas and cultural encounters during high season.
Rangers patrol the area to ensure compliance with regulations and to preserve the ecosystem. This coastal sector, which stretches for over 20 kilometers, is especially cared for for its environmental, archaeological, and paleontological value.
To get to this hidden paradise on the Atlantic Coast, the most common route from the City of Buenos Aires is to take the Buenos Aires-La Plata Highway, continue on Route 2 to Mar del Plata, and then access Provincial Route 88. From there, a dirt road connects to Centinela del Mar in about 16 to 17 kilometers. You can also get there from Mar del Sur through a rural road.
