Escape From (Not To) the Coast: 5 Lakeside Towns in Buenos Aires Province for a Weekend Jaunt
These five towns prove that the options for enjoying the water in Buenos Aires Province aren’t limited to the Atlantic coast beaches.
When summer arrives, porteño vacation traffic typically surges toward the Atlantic coast, where the beaches stretch forever, and the crowds feel just as endless. Fortunately, Buenos Aires Province (for context, roughly the size of Italy) has an impressive lineup of lakeside towns that offer a cooler, calmer vibe. Scattered across the pampas, these breezy lagoons swap beach congestion for small-town charm and laid-back watersports. Well-loved by those in the know, they promise a rewarding alternative when you’re craving water without the coastal crowds.
5 Great Lakeside Towns for Summer
1. Chascomús
About 120km south of Buenos Aires, Chascomús is among the most accessible and arguably most famous of the Buenos Aires Province lake towns. It sits on the shores of the eponymous Laguna de Chascomús, which is the largest of a chain of lagoons called Las Encadenadas. The town began as Fortín de San Juan Bautista, a frontier fort that served as the site of a short-lived rebellion in 1839. Following the arrival of the railroad in 1865, it became recognized as a weekend escape. Today, it’s just a 90-minute drive from the city and is also accessible via regular public bus and train services.
Life here revolves around the water, with the lake delivering opportunities to try kayaking, kite surfing, paddleboarding, and windsurfing, or embark on fishing excursions. From sunrise to sunset, you’ll meet people walking, jogging, and biking along the lake’s Costanera promenade. It stretches for 3km and is bordered by green spaces and picnic areas like Parque de los Libres del Sur. It’s a solid 32km to complete the full lake loop. For a cultural fix, stop by Museo Pampeano to learn about gauchos and life in the countryside, and check out the colonial buildings around Plaza Independencia.
Restaurant Picks in Chascomús
Il Ristorantino Di Terra Lucana (Santiago Roca 631): The town’s cherished Italian restaurant serving up homemade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and more.
Café Mulé (Av. Costanera España): All day spot for pastries and brunch, sandwiches, milanesas, and fish dishes, live music and the best lake views.
Restaurante Vieja Esquina (Artigas y Av. Costanera España): Traditional parrilla for juicy cuts of meat served with fries and salads at friendly prices.
Teòfilo Bar (Libres del Sur 156): Laidback gastropub offering classic Argentine fare and fish dishes.
Lo de Mirta (Franklín 564): Long-running town staple for no-frills lunches and dinners, hearty portions, and wallet-friendly prices.
Accommodation Picks in Chascomús
Cabañas La Soñada (De los Biguás 26): Four rustic and budget self-catering cabins on the southeast side of the lagoon with a shared pool, playground, and parking.
La Botica de 1852 (Cramer 223): Boutique hotel set inside a renovated pharmacy with rooms that give an air of artsy and colonial charm.
Estancia la Alameda (Camino de Circunvalación KM 12, 6): Large ranch with nine suites for two to six guests in addition to three glamping domes.
2. Carhué and Villa Epecuén
Set on the shores of the mineral-rich Lago Epecuén, Carhué has long been known for wellness travel. A six-hour drive (550km), or overnight bus ride from the city, people have been coming for the lagoon’s salty, therapeutic water for over a century. Hot-spring pools and mud treatments await at Parque Termal Epecuén. The town is also part of the Ruta Salamónica, which celebrates the bold Art Deco–futurist legacy of architect Francisco Salamone. You’ll spot his monumental designs in the municipal buildings and cemetery portals around town. At the center, the monument-clad and tree-lined Plaza Levalle sets an easygoing tone – look out for the historic, 100-foot-tall tree.
Many visitors to Carhué, however, are drawn by the mysteries of nearby Villa Epecuén. Once Argentina’s chicest spa resort, it went from glamor to ghost town in 1985 when a catastrophic seiche submerged it under over 30 feet of water. Approximately 280 businesses and homes were destroyed, forcing residents to flee. It wasn’t until 2009 that the water receded, revealing a village of petrified trees and derelict buildings. Walking its streets today is a compelling snapshot of a once-golden era of travel and leisure in Argentina. For wildlife lovers, the lake attracts the Americas’ second-largest colony of Chilean flamingos, as well as thousands of phalarope shorebirds on their migration from Canada to the south.
Restaurant Picks in Carhué
Pizza Flama (Av. Colón 461): Wood fire and Neapolitan-style pizzas for in-house dining or takeaway.
La Francesa Pastelería - Panadería Artesanal (Av. San Martín 1032): Popular bakery packed with tempting sweet and savory treats, great for enjoying while sitting in the adjacent plaza.
Lo de Juan (Av. Colón 1412): Owner-run parrilla, big cuts of meat, local comfort food, and a solid wine selection.
Accommodation Picks in Carhué
Complejo Termal Levalle (Morena y Lomas Valentinas): Well-equipped campsite and self-catering cabins for three to six guests plus pool and thermal spa.
Epecuén Hotel & Spa Termal (Roque Sáenz Peña 880): Family-run hotel with buffet breakfast, thermal pool, spa, sauna, and kids’ play areas on the town’s main square.
Hotel Carhué Spa Termal (Dorrego 520): Mid-range hotel with spacious rooms and apartments, pool, spa treatments, and massage services.