San Clemente del Tuyú travel guide

Some 320 km south of Buenos Aires, San Clemente’s main attraction is Mundo Marino (Av Décima No 157, signposted from the main road into town, T02252-430300, www. mundomarino.com.ar, daily Jan-Feb 1000-2000, Mar, Jul, Dec 1000-1800, off season Sat-Sun only, US$12, children US$8) . This is the biggest sea life centre in South America, where you can watch performing seals, dolphins, whales and penguins go through their completely unnatural routines; it’s fun for children. There’s also a smaller, far less spectacular theme park, Termas Marinas (take the road to Faro San Antonio at the far south of Bahía Samborombón, T02252-423000, http://www.termasmarinas.com.ar, daily 0900-1900 in summer, closing earlier in winter, US$7, children US$6) where children can swim in thermal pools, identify birds and, for a small extra fee, ascend to the top of a historical lighthouse, which has impressive views.

Even more appealing is the unspoilt wildness of Reserva Natural Punta Rasa (2 km from San Clemente, take the road to Faro San Antonio and follow signs, free, managed by the Fundación Vida Silvestre, http://www.vidasilvestre.org.ar, http://www.rpm-net.com.ar/puntarasa) . This is a private reserve protecting a special area at the southernmost point of the Bahía de Samborombón, where a long tongue of dense sand stretches into the bay where the Río de la Plata meets the sea. Vast numbers of migrating birds and a resident population of crabs and shellfish make this an interesting place to spend an afternoon. It’s a great place for a walk, with a short, self-guided trail and a lighthouse to visit. It’s also a world-famous sea fishing site; the water around the peninsula can be up to 20 m deep, attracting large specimens of corvina negra weighing over 20 kg. It’s possible to drive along the 5-km peninsula but watch out for the tides. Information is available from guardaparques at the entrance and at the tip of the peninsula.

San Clemente has a busy fishing port, with yolk-yellow boats characteristic of the area, and the Club Náutico, at Tapera de López, offering all kinds of water sports. South of the centre, there’s an attractive area of woodland, Vivero Cosme Argerich (T02252- 421103, daily 0800-1900, free, guided visits offered) a 37-ha park, with woodlands, a plant nursery and sports centre. For further information on activities in the area, visit the tourist office (Calle 2 Sur and 63 Sur, San Clemente, T02252-430718, also at the bus terminal, T02252-422525, http://www.lacostaturismo.com.ar)....read more