Summer 2026 is already beginning to be outlined and with it a price scenario for families to make a decision: a getaway to the coast or a trip abroad.
The most traditional beach towns on the Argentine coast such as Mar del Plata, Pinamar, Cariló and Villa Gesell They exhibit an offer that shows significant increases, combining local currency, dollars and a disparity in rates depending on location, category and type of service.
Meanwhile abroad, the beaches are irresistible and Brazil is presented as the most tempting destination due to its competitive prices.
The Happy. In Mar del Platathe temporary rental market already has values suggested by the College of Auctioneers and Public Brokers: a studio apartment for 2/3 people prices from $300,000 per weekwhile a department of Two-room for 3/4 people goes up to $470,000 and a three-room for 5 or 6 people starts at $690,000. A three-bedroom villa with similar capacity is offered from $940,000 per week. These figures mark an increase compared to previous seasons, in line with the recommendations of an increase of around 25 percent over last year, taking into account that the inflation of the Lease Contract Index (ICL) rose to 50 percent year-on-year. Regarding hotels, Jesús Osorno, hotel leader, assures that a two double base stars will cost between 40 and 70 thousand pesos; a three star, between 70 and 90 thousand; 4 stars around 150 thousand, while the 5 stars have a free rate. Always depending on the areas, whether Punta Mogotes, La Perla or the center.
Atlantic luxury. Meanwhile, Pinamar consolidates a dollarized model. Rents are agreed mostly in foreign currency: a department of two rooms costs around US$200 per night, or US$4,000 per month, and a spacious house can go up to US$18,000 per month in January. Cariló, with an even more select profile, offers houses for US$ 8,000 per fortnight, with possible reductions of 30 to 40 percent in February. The phenomenon is not surprising, the owners prefer to protect income in hard currency against an inflationary and devaluation context, while tourists with greater purchasing power continue to choose these destinations as a symbol of exclusivity and comfort.
Villa Gesellfor its part, holds the banner of “popular” although with significant numbers. A house for four people costs around $130,000 per night, a two-room apartment costs $60,000, a double hotel room costs $125,000, and a beach tent starts at $55,000 per day. The beach also adds its own. In Mar del Plata, a tent or an umbrella can exceed $70,000 per day, which turns a full week of beach relaxation into a robust expense for any typical family. For example, a tent in Playa Grande per day costs $80,000, while during the entire month of January, it reaches 2 million pesos.
Adding gastronomy elevates the equation even further. Menus per person aligned with inflation, drinks in high-demand paradores and minimum consumption that, in exclusive points, reach figures that are difficult to sustain. Even so, restaurants and cafes in the city are working on promotions, many of them promoted by the “Mar del Plata Te Siente” tourism campaign, to keep competitiveness alive within the Atlantic Coast.
Entertainment also plays a central role in the summer wallet. The Mar del Plata theater season once again opts for the “Friendly Prices”, promoted by Carlos Rotemberg, with tickets that do not exceed $55,000almost 30% below projected inflation.
In another language. Brazil once again emerges as the favorite refuge of Argentines for the summer of 2026, largely because, although more expensive than last year, it remains competitive against the local coasts. Seven-night packages in destinations such as Florianópolis, Búzios or Rio de Janeiro, with flights and a three-star hotel, averages 1.5 million pesos per persona value well below many national alternatives. When comparing with Patagonia, the difference becomes evident: an “all inclusive” in Maceió costs practically the same as a standard hotel in Bariloche.
Another alternative that many Argentines evaluate is abroad. According to the main travel companies, for the 2026 season an “all inclusive” tourist package from one week to a Caribbean destination can cost between $3.2 and $4.2 million per person. For example, a resort in Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) from January 5 to 12 costs about $3,201,647 per adult; while a similar package on the island of Aruba starts at $4.2 million. It is worth clarifying that these values decrease by 30 or 40 percent during the months of March and April, so a valid equation is to vacation abroad in the fall.
Bariloche handles international securities. The costs of a week’s vacation for a typical family are around $6 million, depending on the means of transportation and the plan chosen. Per person, a moderate seven-night plan can cost between $629,500 and $1,200,000.
Vacation within the country or abroad? is the dilemma.
