La Plata
Eco-friendly travel guide to La Plata advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in La Plata, Argentina.
- Air quality: 3.5 / 5
- Exploring by foot: 4 / 5
- Exploring by bicycle: 4 / 5
- Public transportation: 3.5 / 5
- Parks: 3.5 / 5
- Outdoor activities: 4 / 5
- Locals' English level: 3.5 / 5
- Safety: 4 / 5
- Accommodation: US$50 - $100
- Budget per day: US$150 - $350
Contents
Responsible Travel
The city of La Plata is rich in culture and has many museums to commemorate its rich and amazing history La Plata is a rather popular tourist destination. The city is very safe for tourists, with no violent crimes against tourists, and also the cost of living is relatively low, making it an awesome place to go on vacation. Various things can be done to ensure responsible travel, and these include:
If you decide to visit this city, you should always be on guard and preserve the environment. You can do this by using non-stop flights to use lesser fuels and turn off the lights in your room when not in use. Support local businesses rather than big corporations that harm the environment with huge amounts of toxic waste. Buying local means supporting the local people as well and helping the economy. Try to avoid using plastic as much as you can, and try carrying around reusable cups for your coffee and metal straws for your drinks.
All these might seem like little details that you can easily overlook, but they go a long way in ensuring that you have an eco-friendly stay. La Plata stands out as it has an excellent economic system, so the residents are not doing poorly. The economy gives assurance to visitors that they would enjoy and have a swell time in the city.
Air Quality and Pollution
One can say that automobiles' effect is more than that of the people who visit the city. Other than ground transportation, the shipping industry has contributed a lot to air pollution. If you wish to get fresh and clean air in La Plata’s, prefer visiting the outskirts and the hilly regions. These areas have the least air pollution level, and air quality is also better than the city's crowded places. Bremen mostly has moderate air quality, and pollution levels aren't bad.
Respect the Culture
The city's size and variety reflects the culture of the city. Most Argentinan cultural movements first emerged in the city. The city is an important center for music, film, theatre, dance, and visual art, and many artists have been drawn into the city by opportunity. The government is well invested in keeping the arts alive and ensures that it funds the arts with adequate financial resources. Another aspect of culture that puts the city on the map is that it is the Argentina community's headquarters.
Top 10 Places to Visit
La Plata is a major tourist destination that is well renowned globally, and one of the major reasons behind the city’s fame is some of the most popular venues to visit. Given in this section of the article are the top 10 places to visit in La Plata:
- Republica De Los Ninos: Republica De Los Ninos is a theme park in the city of La Plata. It is located in Camino Gral, La Plata, Argentina. It is one of the famous parks in the city of La Plata.
- Museo De La Plata: Museo de La Plata is a museum in the city of La Plata. It is located in Paseo del Bosque, La Plata, Argentina. It is a part of the Facultad de Ciencias.
- Catedral De La Plata: Catedral de La Plata is one of the famous cathedrals in the city of La Plata. It is located in Calle 14, La Plata, Argentina. It was established in the year 1932.
- Curutchet House: Curutchet House is one of the famous buildings in the city of La Plata. It is located in La Plata, Argentina. It was established in the year 1948 by an architect named Le Cosbusier.
- Moreno Square: Moreno Square is a park in the city of La Plata. It is located in Calle 12 & Calle 50, La Plata, Argentina. It is a spacious square surrounded by imposing historical buildings and lush green trees.
- zoo de la plata zoo and botanical garden: Zoo de La Plata Zoo and Botanical Garden is a zoo in the city of La Plata. It is a large public zoo featuring an array of animals.
- Palacio Municipal: Palacio Municipal is a town hall in the city of La Plata. It is located in La Plata, Argentina. It is an executive seat of the Government of the city.
- Pasaje Dardo Rocha: Pasaje Dardo Rocha is a cultural center in the city of La Plata. It is located in Calle 50 575, La Plata, Argentina. It was established in the year 1887.
- San Martin Square: San Martin Square is a park in the city of La Plata. It is located in Av. 7, B1900, La Plata, Argentina.
- Paseo Del Bosque: Paseo Del Bosque is a park in the city of La Plata. It is located in Av Iraola, Casco Urbano, La Plata, Argentina. Nowadays it is becoming one of the famous places in the city.
Explore
The town offers various opportunities to the tourists and the locals to experience the Ancient culture, diverse cuisines, sunny beach coasts, and the hospitable people. Many places in La Plata are must-visit ones. Visiting these places will help you explore and learn about the history, culture, and significance of the area on a first-hand basis. It is an oasis for every traveler as it offers both natural and urban places that will make your visit a memorable one. While exploring, you will be able to indulge in the world-famous Argentina cuisines that will only enhance your La Plata’s experience.
City Parks
One thing you should know about La Plata is that it does not lack parks. The city is big, and it has a big collection of parks and other such places. It has big open spaces and greeneries where you can spend time with your children and other family members. The views are one thing you cannot take away from parks.
Here are some famous city parks in the city:
- Plaza Moreno
- Plaza Azcuenaga – La Plata
- Reacreative Alberdi Park
- J.J. Castelli Park
- Alberti Park
- Plaza Belgrano
National Parks
Argentina gives you plenty of options if you want to see the natural creatures living openly in the wild. If you’re interested in seeing wild animals in this part of the country, there’s this one park that boasts a wide variety of faunas in La Plata. We are listing down a few of them that may not exactly be located in and around the city but are not very far away from the city.
- Ecas
- Parque Saavedra
- Parque Alberti
- Plaza Rivadavia
- Plazoleta Del Libano
- Jardin De La Paz
- Jardin Zoologico Y Botanico De La Plata
Beaches
Many people fantasize about spending time at a beach, and it could be that it is what you do when home. Thus, they are curious about beaches when in a new city. If you fall under this category and visit La Plata, you are in for a treat as it has beaches for people to explore and relax.
- Playa Varese
- Playas De Chapadmalal
- Playa Grande
- Punta Mogotes
- La Perla
- Playa Chica
- Playa Escondida
Landmarks
In simple terms, we can say that a landmark is a high or long structure that people can quickly locate, helping them keep track of places. When there is a landmark around, it helps with directions and eliminates losing your way. Foreigners are usually happy and gleeful to know of landmarks in the city, and you would see them trying to keep it in mind as no one loves losing their way while exploring.
Some of the landmarks that would help you in La Plata are:
- Dardo Rocha Square
- Plaza Belgrano
- Saavendra Park
- Plaza Malvinas Argentinas
- Provincial Museum Of Fine Arts Fmilio
- Palacio Piria
- Planetarium Of La Plata
Museums
People say that it is sometimes impossible to keep count of museums in La Plata as there are many. The city's idea is to preserve adequate information for the coming generations and help foreigners with knowledge about the city. If you love to know about the cities you visit, we know that you will love or desire to pay a visit to any of its museums. Some La Plata museums are:
- Museo De La Plata
- Planetario Ciudad De La Plata
- Museo Del Automovil Y Ramos Generales Coleccion Rau
- Museo Y Archivo Dardo Rocha
- Museo De Arte Contemporaneo Latinoamericano
Eat
If you want to explore Argentina’s cuisine and La Platan food culture, you can find many restaurants, cafes, and eateries where you can indulge in mouth-watering local food items. Many traditional and modern restaurants serve a wide variety of dishes of many international cuisines. By exploring Argentina's food and drink culture, you will be able to get a piece of in-depth knowledge about the history, culture, and traditions prevailing in the city. Many traditional restaurants serve mouth-watering local food items that are made using standard practices. You can also find many La Plata restaurants that serve American, Italian, English, Indian, Greek, Indonesian, and Chinese cuisines.
Traditional Local Restaurants
The local meals of any city are usually a delight as it helps your taste buds explore. Below are some of the traditional local restaurants in La Plata, where you can enjoy the perfection of these meals without any regrets:
- Akari Sushi Bar
- Thionis
- Vipentto
- Casablanca
- Mezzogiorno
- Panaderia Y Confiteria Le An
- Rimbaud
- Cinco Sabios Brewing Co
Vegetarian and Vegan
If you are a vegetarian, you do not need to worry when you are in La Plata as there are many restaurants to attend to your needs. With these places, you will get to enjoy traditional meals properly with your regular choices. Some of these vegan restaurants are:
- La Compostera
- Curry Green Market And Coffee
- Bambuc
- Lotus Comidas Naturales
- Mama Vegana
- Tomillo Veggie
- Mohini’s Cucine
Street Food
We understand that many people are lovers of street food, so we cannot ignore highlighting their choices when visiting La Plata. Although you can get these street foods from kiosks and stores, you can also get them in some restaurants. It is not hard to find as almost everyone in the city is eating one of them. There are also many food stalls across the city and some of the top tourist attractions where you can buy street food. Some of the top places to purchase street include:
- Criollo White Corn
- Chaura
- Sorrentinos
Drink
There is no doubt that the local people love to drink regularly, especially on special occasions with friends and family. There are many local alcoholics and non-alcoholic beverages that you can see in the local cafés, restaurants, bars, and pubs in La Plata. People in Argentina love to drink, especially at gatherings and special occasions. The locals are simple and laid-back ones that prefer enjoying the time they have. The city offers a wide variety of wines from the different areas of the country.
These drinks will help you understand the significance and increasing popularity amongst the locals. Here are some beverages that you can try while exploring the city. You have dozens of big, small, and medium-sized bars to choose from. You can enjoy almost all types of drinks that you get in any good western restaurant and bar.
Tap-water
One of the most frequent questions that foreigners ask concerning their holiday city concerns the water if it is suitable for drinkable. If La Plata is the city you are traveling to for a holiday, we will encourage that you make the conscious effort of boiling your water before drinkable. The source of water in La Plata is questionable as it is said to have high levels of metal, so it is unsafe for drinking and even brushing. You will not be extra or doing too much if you boil your water before using it to brush. After all, it is best to safe than to be sorry. If you think that the process of boiling is stressful, and you would not be able to keep up, you should buy bottled water while there; it will serve the purpose of drinking and brushing.
Organic Cafés
There is a national movement in Argentina where organic food is gaining immense popularity and recognition as the local people realize the importance and need for such food to their health. You will find many organic food stores and cafés in the city of La Plata that serve locally sourced food items and avoid harming the natural environment.
- Panera Bread
- Galazio Restaurant And Bar
- Wee Bean Coffee Roasters
- Kaow Thai
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Breweries
Drinking is a way of bringing people together in the city, and you would see it in the number of available bars, breweries, and distilleries. It is always easy to strike up a conversation at these places as the drinks make everyone more relaxed, and the atmosphere is friendly. Some people say that it is not a complete visit to any local house if you have not been offered a drink. Thus, it is safe to say that there are many breweries and distilleries in La Plata. Since these people do not joke with their drinks, you are sure that you will get to select from many excellent options. You can add touring breweries and distilleries to your to-do list while in La Plata.
- Patuxent Brewing Company
- Brewer Charles H
- Foster’s Grille
- Mully’s Brewery
- Scorpion Brewing Llc
- The Greene Turtle Sports Bar And Grille
Activities
It is easy for foreigners to get bored when in a new city as it is not their terrain. However, this will defeat the aim of going on a holiday as you should engage in different activities that would keep you busy. Understandably, it is not every time that new ideas of things will enter your head to do. Allow us to save you the stress and tell you that you can engage in either fishing, canoeing, or kayaking while in La Plata, as there are available water bodies to help with this.
It does not matter if you are a professional or novice in these activities. You will find it easy if you are a professional, but beginners will see it as an exciting process as it allows them to learn something new. The locals of the city as always ready to teach people the ropes of these activities, and it paves the way to friendships. If you spend time learning any of these activities, the idea of being bored will be eliminated. Thus, you should engage in them while in the city.
Yoga and Retreats
Yoga is comparatively new in Argentina, regarded it with deep suspicion. The locals believed that yoga is an outlandish practice that can brainwash people and leave their traditional beliefs. But as time passed, yoga became instant popularity amongst La Plata. You will find that almost every block and neighborhoods have some yoga or pilates classes. You will find that some outstanding yoga schools are taught by experienced teachers and are quite affordable. Here are some reputable and experienced schools in La Plata for Yoga and Pilates classes.
- Shabach Yoga Studio
- Live Out Loud Yoga / Pole Prodigy
- Breathe Pilates Place
- Boddhiwell Dream Retreats
- Stefan Edmund Yoga
- Renewu Relaxation
Accommodation
The accommodation facilities in La Plata are some of the very best in the country. There are accommodations for tourists, such as solo travelers, backpackers, campers, families, couples, and even women. There are many diverse options, even for budget travelers, to make their trip and stay convenient and comfortable. The city center area has some of the most accommodation facilities ranging from grand hotels to guest houses. You can also try couch-surfing, which is a new trend of sleeping at someone else's house for a particular period. Couch-surfing can be free or charged, depending upon the host. To make your accommodation more comfortable and convenient, prefer doing advanced research and inquiry before visiting La Plata. It will help you in avoiding wastage of time and resources. Also, avoid advance payment at the most, or you might get scammed.
Green Hotels
With the recent widespread green hotel or eco-hotel concept, many hotels in La Plata have converted themselves into environmentally friendly and sustainable hotels. Although the recycling investment can be costly, it has proved to be very beneficial in the long run. The hotels can generate higher profits and maintain cost-effectiveness. Using environment-friendly products and managing the carbon footprint is essential in the modern era.
- Holiday Inn Express La Plata
- Best Western La Plata Inn
- Deluxe Inn
- The Greene Turtle Sports Bar And Grille
- Texas Roadhouse
- Hilton Garden Inn Waldorf
Hostels and Guest Houses
For those who prefer to stay at places where they can get the best experience of the local La Plata culture, the hostels and guest houses serve to fulfill the tourists' desires. These places are cheaper than hotels and can maintain the proper utilization of their resources without much effort. These places are ideal for backpackers and solo travelers.
- Unico Eco Hostel Boutique
- Deptos Temporarios Lp 54
- La Plata Hostel
- Hospedaje 41. Hostel
- Hoste Casa Do Sol
- Bohemia Hostel
Apartments
At the same time, you might want to consider the option of renting an apartment only when you are staying in town for longer durations or if you are traveling with a bunch of people that you know and are willing to stay with you in the apartment, this makes it extremely comfortable and cost-efficient. You will have many such options available to you. However, not all apartment owners may feel comfortable renting out their properties to foreigners, but things are changing. They would like to earn some passive income from their apartments that otherwise would have remained vacant. Renting an apartment in the city of La Plata is quite a decent endeavor. However, this shall require you to do your research thoroughly. The neighborhood's safety, the actual state of the apartment, hidden terms and conditions concerning the apartment, the possibility of nosy neighbors, and much more. If you have a known contact willing to rent out an apartment, you can be sure of it and go ahead.
Couchsurfing
Couch-surfing is a relatively new concept of accommodation and is quite popular in La Plata. Couch-surfing refers to sleeping and using the facilities of someone's home for the particular time the host and the guest have mutually agreed. It is quite a popular and convenient mode of accommodation and helps in saving money. Most La Plata are welcoming and friendly in nature and love to help tourists learn about their culture, history, and places. You will find that the hosts are often college students who often let tourists stay home by charging some small amount. Before you visit the city, prefer to see a couch-surfing place and set a deal beforehand to avoid any discomfort or problems.
Camping
Although camping is not an actual form of accommodation as it cannot serve long-term, it still falls under accommodation as it helps for the period of days that anyone would engage in it. By camping, you are leaving your immediate environment's comfort and going to a place that is in tune with nature. These places often do not have the luxury of beds, and campers end up sleeping in tents. However, there are some campsites with adequate lodging facilities that almost liken it to a hotel. Some people do not understand why anyone will leave the luxury of their homes and decide to camp. However, those who have ever had a camping experience can explain that the feeling is different and fulfilling.
- Camping Sosba
- Casa Novak – Camping Pesca
- Camping Acpp
- Camping Sagrado Corazon La Plata
- Truckers Camping La Plata
How to Get There
Understandably, it is not all means of transportation that might be available from your home to the city you want to visit. If La Plata is your destination, you should know that there are many ways of getting into the city. But, it is not all means that might be suitable for you. The proper thing that any tourist should do is research the available means of transportation to La Plata from their current location.
Air
La Plata Airport is the only airport in the city, and it is located about 5 km from the city center. The airport is large and comfortable, and it is fast and easy to get through customs and passport control, collect your luggage, and off you go to explore the hidden gems of the city.
Bus
You can use a bus to get to the city, and you can also use it to move around. It could be that you want to visit somewhere exciting in another city, and you are wondering how you can get there. You should know that some of the city's buses operate long distances so that you can use them anywhere within the country.
Train
Many people love enquiring if these train stations are far from the city center and what available option they have to reach the city. You should know that each of the train stations is close to metro stations, so you should locate one once you alight from the train.
Hitchhiking
The idea of hitchhiking is to stay on the road and flag down a vehicle going your direction. Some drivers might not want to stop for strangers, but you would get a ride as someone would be compelled to stop. It may be that you can hitchhike for free in some other places, but it does not work that way in South American cities.
Others
Shared rides are another means of reaching the city. It could be that you want to order a taxi that would take you there, but the amount is too expensive, and you cannot cover it alone. In such a case, you need to look for someone who is also going to the same destination and is willing to share a ride. This way, you both would share the expenses, and it would not be on you alone.
Moving Around
Moving around this city is easy as there are many means of transportation such as walking and driving. But, if you need a green means of moving around the city, you can decide to use a skate or bicycle. With these means, you know that there would be no pollution to the environment, especially as they do not disseminate fumes. Your conscience would be clear that you are playing a role in protecting the environment.
Walk
Some people do not like to walk around in a new city because they fear being robbed. This is understandable, but you do not need to worry as the city is a safe space for locals and foreigners. Another reason why foreigners do not fancy the idea of walking is because they fear that they might miss their way, and this is something they wish to avoid.
Bicycle
Some people use bicycles as a means of transportation, while others use it for exploration. Irrespective of why you are using a bicycle, be assured that it is safe as the city has cycle paths to ensure that cyclists do not collide with cars. The road also has a flat structure, so it does not impose any harm. Your safety is assured if you are using a bicycle in the city.
Electronic Vehicles
Knowing that you can get an electronic vehicle if you desire, the next question for foreigners is how safe it is to use such in the city. It is expected that everyone would have safety procedures at the back of their mind, and you would not want to use something like an electronic scooter on a busy road to obstruct cars. This way, you would get a less busy environment. You should also use it at the edge of the road to avoid any stories that would touch the heart.
Public Bus
Using a public bus is the most standard means of moving around in the city, and the advantage is that it is cheaper than other forms or means of transportation you would find. However, it would help if you understand Cyrillic as most bus signs are written in it, making it confusing for foreigners. Tourists usually depend on the locals' help for understanding when it comes to languages and signs that they do not understand. Asides from the regular buses, you would also see trolleybuses in the city.
Tram, Train and Subway
Using trams is another means of moving around in the city, but it is usually slow, so people only use it when they are not in a rush to go somewhere. If you are hurrying somewhere and get on a tram, you would be frustrated as the slow movement would ensure that you miss your appointment. It will help if you understand the country or bits of it before using a tram as its operations are in that language, and it gets confusing for foreigners.
Sustainable Shopping
Many people might not understand what sustainable shopping means, and we are here to break down the explanation. Different people have varying beliefs on what is healthy and essential, and this also extends to different regions and locations. A type of clothing might be what the people in your present town hold in high value, but it is not valued in your previous city. If you understand their explanation and go ahead to buy the things, you are doing sustainable shopping. Every foreigner is encouraged to do sustainable shopping as it shows that you care for your host environment and are ready to contribute your little quota and help in any possible way. If you notice this, you should ask questions on why they place importance on certain items. From their explanation, you will see some health or environmental benefits attached and get support when people purchase these items.
Food Markets
We would assume that you already know some of the local delicacies of La Plata since we have talked about some of them. There are several markets across the city that are dedicated to selling fresh food. They sell both local and international food, processed or unprocessed.
Flea Markets
There are several flea markets across the city of La Plata that offer both an exciting shopping experience and a chance to mingle with the locals. Most of them sell various things at reasonable prices, some of which are found in local shops. However, they tend to double the price when selling to tourists.
Second Hand Stores
The trend of second-hand stores has caught the world by a storm. Numerous stores have opened where people can buy things they wouldn't usually afford for less than half the price.
Eco-Fashion
You will find that eco-fashion is a viral trend among La Plata people. Many models and brands serve such clothing items, which is why it is gaining a lot of popularity. Eco-fashion clothes help in minimizing the impact on the environment and health of society. Organic cotton, recyclable fabrics, plant-based dyes are used to make eco-fashion clothes. While looking for eco-fashion stores, prefer local businesses as they sell products sourced from the local environment. Eco-Fashion or Sustainable Fashion is a concept that is becoming quite popular in the city.
Recycling
You will find many second-hand stores and recycling stores in La Plata, where you can give your reusable waste. With the growing awareness of environmental protection, Argentina has the highest recycling rate in South America. La Plata's government has adopted various measures for the proper disposal of trash, and about 60% of the population follows these measures. Choosing to give away or donate items that are of no use to you can support people who cannot buy these items at their original prices. The green containers are used to dispose of glass items because of such extensive measures for proper recycling.
Waste
The city is not the dirtiest globally, but they need to put more effort to waste management. The government and many organizations advocate against littering as they strive to keep the city clean always and avoid health issues. However, some people are stubborn and usually violating such advocates. It may be that strict laws need to be put in place for them to comply, but we urge all foreigners to ensure that they effectively manage their waste by disposing of them only in designated areas. The waste collection method is quite strict, with residents having to adhere to specific segregation methods, packing, points of disposal, and even time of disposal.
Work and Study Abroad
There are many famous universities and colleges in the city to see exchange students in abundance. If you are an international student in this country, you should not fear that locals will dominate the educational institutions as you would also see many foreigners. Since the city is amongst the best in South America, tales of ye quality of their universities and colleges spread, and students in other schools will want to do exchange programs in the city. There are several programs for exchange students in the city, and you need to find out from your current University if they are affiliated with any of the institutions.
Exchange Student
Many universities in Argentina and La Plata partner with schools in other countries to have a student exchange program. Thus, you should check if your school partners with anyone in the city if you desire to visit the city. Many students usually jump on this opportunity, and you can do so as well. During the student exchange program, you can thoroughly learn South American culture, and is a plus as you also get to explore the city. The town offers comprehensive exchange programs and scholarships too.
Au Pair
Many people are usually ready to work in this city, but some might encounter issues finding jobs as it may be that many are also applying for the same position. You will see some people downcast because they cannot seem to secure a job, and this is where the idea of Au Pair comes into pair. Au Pair is almost similar to Couchsurfing as it pairs you with a host you would work for and get paid in return. It is a win-win situation as it saves you the stress of searching for a job, and the host gets their job done quickly.
Volunteering
One of La Plata’s reasons for a safe and clean city is because of the many volunteering activities that take place. As a tourist, it is essential to give back something to the community of the city you are visiting. Volunteering is one of the best ways of learning about the deep-rooted problems and needs of the town. You will find that the volunteers and the locals give their full support in resolving the issue at hand. You can find many volunteering organizations in the city of La Plata that focus on various societal and environmental problems like protecting the environment, humanitarian rights, animal protection, child protection, etc.