Playas Doradas: Beach, Coastal Trail and Water Sports

Beach, Tides and Coastal Scenery

Playas Doradas brings together beaches, coastline and water sports. The three-kilometre-long beach has very fine sand formed from fragments of quartz and silicon dioxide. The reflection of sunlight on the sand gives Balneario Playas Doradas its golden name.

At low tide, natural pools form at Playa La Ollita. If you want to include this coastal feature in your day’s plans, check the tide level. There is also an important limitation to bear in mind when choosing a beach: lifeguard services are available only in the sector known as Playa Central.

Coastal Trail and Water Sports

The Sendero Paseo del Cuis coastal trail is a themed route focusing on native flora and fauna, with designated viewpoints. It runs about 800 metres south along the coast and is lined with information and photo panels. Its combination of a nature theme, panels and viewpoints offers a distinct focus if you want to explore the coastal landscape as well as the beach.

Kitesurfing is available in Playas Doradas. North of the destination, a lagoon forms at the mouth of El Salado Creek at high tide, making it suitable for sailing, kayaking and windsurfing. The water sports mentioned therefore also differ in where they take place.

An Annual Event

The Fiesta Nacional de Playas Doradas takes place every year around mid-February. The programme includes concerts, comedy shows and performances by local bands. If you are planning your trip around the festival, it is worth checking the specific festival dates against your travel dates.

In the Wider Destination of Río Negro

In the wider destination of Río Negro, there is much more to explore beyond the coast. In the west of Río Negro Province lies Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, which covers more than 710,000 hectares. Activities there include boat trips on lakes, rafting, kayaking, cycling trips, horseback riding, climbing and mountain trekking. Another landscape area is the Meseta de Somuncurá: the ANP Meseta de Somuncurá protected area covers about 1,600,000 hectares and is part of the Monte de Llanuras y Mesetas and Patagonian Steppe ecoregions. Visitors can take excursions lasting several hours and multi-day crossings, as well as hike, ride horses, go on photo safaris and watch birds. The local culture can also be experienced there. Río Negro also has museums covering a variety of topics that introduce visitors to the province’s history and culture. The Camino de la Costa offers another perspective on the coast of Río Negro: the route runs for 210 kilometres along Provincial Route 1; on the northern side of the gulf, it follows coastal cliffs. Alongside the protected areas, the coastal landscapes are therefore another distinctive regional attraction.

Discover more destinations: San Antonio Oeste, Las Grutas.

Return to the overview of the wider destination: Departamento San Antonio.