Las Grutas

Argentina, Argentina

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Las Grutas, a coastal beach resort in Río Negro province, Patagonia, Argentina, sits along the sheltered Gulf of San Matías, drawing over 400,000 summer visitors to its warm, turquoise waters—the country's hottest despite the southern location—thanks to wide tides, coastal currents, and low rainfall. Named for natural cliffside caves and grottoes, it features 12 scenic stairways or bajadas leading to expansive white-sand beaches flanked by low cliffs, promenades for walking or biking, beach bars, and paradores with sea views, evolving from 1960s campgrounds into a lively tourist hub with apartments, a casino, and low-wind calm ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and diving. Beyond peak December-February crowds, quieter spots near San Antonio Este offer pristine sands, wildlife like clams and seasonal southern right whales, plus excursions for birdwatching and olive oil tastings.