Playa Escondida

Playa Escondida (La Escondida) is Argentina's first and best-known naturist beach, on the Atlantic coast of the Partido de General Pueyrredón about 25-35 km south of central Mar del Plata, near the Chapadmalal tourist complex. It opened in 2001 after a municipal ordinance promoted by the city's tourism body; local residents objected to the first proposed site, so it was placed on a stretch away from housing. Since about 2002 it has been run as a private beach concession by the Asociación Naturista del Sur. The beach is a roughly 300 m stretch of sand at the foot of the coastal cliffs, screened by dunes and scrub so it is not overlooked by the neighbouring balnearios. Nudity is optional rather than required. Facilities are unusually complete for a naturist beach: a restaurant and beach bar, umbrella and table rental, gazebos on the dune terraces, a massage area, and a pool and spa within the grounds, plus a first-aid post and emergency phone. Lifeguarded hours in season are 8:00 to 20:00. Strict rules apply: no photography or filming (cameras are checked at the entrance), no sexual behaviour, no loud music and no street vendors. Because it is far from the city, its water has tested to EU bathing standards.