This coastal town on Argentina's Atlantic shore has calm beaches, a lighthouse built in 1954, and a long wooden pier where locals fish year-round.
Mar de Ajó, a coastal town in Buenos Aires Province, began as a 19th-century fishing village. You can walk on the 270-meter pier, swim at the wide sandy beach, or examine the remains of the Margaretha shipwreck at low tide. Local families play tejo on the beach, drink mate under umbrellas, and fish from the pier, while street performers and food vendors line the main street at night.
Getting to Mar de Ajó
The town lies five hours from Buenos Aires by bus, with multiple daily departures from Retiro Station. If you're driving, take Route 2 south to Route 63, then connect to Route 11 at Esquina de Crotto, following the coastal road south to Mar de Ajó.
Beach Life and Local Culture
The beige sand beach has moderate waves suitable for swimming and surfing. You can bring your own chairs and umbrellas or rent carpas (beach tents) for longer stays. Vendors walk the beach selling hot water for mate tea and churros. Watch or join the groups of men playing tejo, a beach game where players throw wooden discs on courts drawn in the sand, similar to bocce.
Evening Activities on the Main Street
After 6 PM, cars clear from the main street for pedestrians. You'll find families walking between ice cream shops, pizza places, and gaming arcades. Street performers set up along the sidewalks, and you can visit the cinema, theater, or casino for evening entertainment.
Town Growth and Museums
Mar de Ajó has grown to 25,520 permanent residents, making it the largest municipality in the La Costa District. The Universidad Atlántida Argentina opened in 1994, and a casino followed in 1996, adding year-round activity to the town. Visit the Historical Museum and Archives to see local artifacts and fossils from the Cenozoic era.
Maritime History and Shipwrecks
Before the Panama Canal opened in 1914, ships frequently passed near Mar de Ajó's coast on their way to the Strait of Magellan. Strong winds pushed many vessels onto the shore, and you can see their remains during low tide. The German vessel Margaretha ran aground in 1880, and its wreckage influenced the beach's former name, Playa La Margarita.
