Mar Chiquita between lagoon, coast and space history
Accommodation in Mar Chiquita
Mar Chiquita combines nature watching, walks along the lagoon and a historical glimpse into Argentina’s space program. Public access to the Mar Chiquita Nature Reserve is at kilometer 483 via Provincial Route No. 11 through Balneario Parque Mar Chiquita. When looking for a hotel in Mar Chiquita, it can help to first decide whether nature, outdoor activities or history is your priority.
Lagoon, coast and biosphere
The Reserva Mundial de Biosfera Parque Atlántico Mar Chiquita was recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 1996. Its landscape includes the ocean coast, beaches, coastal dunes, grassland, lagoons and Pampas wetlands.
On a broader scale—in the Partido de Mar Chiquita—there are 67 kilometers of beaches. The Partido offers two connected visitor areas: inland and coastal. The Mar Chiquita Albufera is a shallow coastal lagoon connected to the sea that cyclically or occasionally receives fresh water from the mainland.
Trails and activities
From Balneario Parque Mar Chiquita, visitors can hike to the Boca de la Albúfera. The Sendero de la Albufera starts with an interactive talk in the Sala de Interpretación de la Naturaleza and follows the lagoon shore to its mouth at the sea.
Free guided excursions to the Mar Chiquita nature reserve depart from Mar Chiquita. They begin with an informative talk about environmental protection and continue through the dunes and along the lagoon shore. Schedules and excursion details may change; check the information in advance if you plan to take part.
Birdwatching and bird photography are possible at Balneario Parque Mar Chiquita. The tourist offering also includes the Circuito turístico Reserva Creativa trail; there is also a Centro de Atención al Visitante at the Balneario. Fishing is also possible. In designated nearby areas accessible via the Balneario, environmentally friendly water sports such as kayaking are permitted.
Nature watching and history
Thanks to low light pollution, Mar Chiquita offers good conditions for astronomical observations. Another historical focus is space exploration: in the 1960s and early 1970s, Mar Chiquita was one of the centers of Argentina’s space history. A CELPA base conducted rocket tests, launches and recoveries there. The observing opportunities are due to low light pollution; the rocket activities took place in the 1960s and early 1970s.
The broader Mar Chiquita destination is also home to the Paseo paleontológico in Camet Norte, by the sea. Life-size figures of the Pampas megafauna give visitors an idea of a 20,000-year-old paleontological site.
Discover more destinations: Mar De Cobo, Santa Clara Del Mar, Quintas El Casal.
Go to the broader travel overview: Mar Chiquita.
