Only 23 kilometers separate it from Mar del Plata, the city that captivates without distinguishing age or preferences, that great love of all Argentines. But the one from Chapadmalal it is a much more exclusive charm. One more discreet, wild and natural, and that until not so long ago used to be a niche. The growth of your proposals accommodation, gourmet and escapes from surf, however, for about five years; he put it on the map as one of the most interesting destinations. And the big move this summer seems to be the consecration of it.
surfer mode
What distinguishes this destination from others? Beach? To begin with, its broken landscapes. Its still largely virgin landscapes and its cliffs that offer sunsets to remember are highly appreciated in times of crowding in coastal cities. And on that road Chapadmalal seduces with its conditions for surfing. This is how Dela saw it, the travel venture of surf for women of Pía Neira and Loli Lanusse, whose initial trips were to Brazil but with the pandemic they found their perfect alternative in this Argentine destination. Since both partners were living in the area, it was even easier for them to network to manage the meals, yoga classes and general experiences that usually complement their proposal. “The first one was in December, and it went so well and with such ideal waves to learn that in March we are going to do six days of pure surfing and yoga, with time during the day to relax, go to the beach or even remote home office,” he describes. Neira.
That spirit of relaxation, learning and connection with nature is a big part of what defines this place. “It combines countryside and sea with spectacular energy. In season it can explode a bit, but during the year it is very quiet. In fact, that is why we organize trips outside of the strongest dates, so that they can really appreciate what Chapa is”, encourages Pía.
Luis Leonard, founder of Bai Bai, a surf house and travel startup with this spirit, thinks similarly. “I believe that the Chapadmalal that we know today is a place that arises from the search for a new lifestyle as a result of the pandemic, in encounter with the proposal of the countryside and the sea that the place offers. That is why there are plans closely aligned with nature, gastronomy, surfing, yoga, music and a touch of spirituality”, he reasons. And it is that on these beaches you can live experiences similar to Australia, California or Santa Teresa (Costa Rica), but only four hours from Buenos Aires. Born nine years ago offering trips that brought together all these aforementioned interests, in Bai Bai they were witnesses and participants in the growth of the area. For this reason, this year they redoubled their commitment and opened a specialty coffee and a gastronomic proposal with menus with organic cuisine and signature cocktails.
Eat and sleep
Another winning leg of Chapadmalal is its interesting gastronomic proposal. From the hand of its young public and eager for novelties, spaces are emerging that combine the freshest products with the sound of the sea always nearby.
A great pairing, for example, is achieved by Cachalote, whose star is the clay oven, where they cook pizzas and homemade dishes such as ratatouille or braised tail with baked potatoes, among others. “You can come to eat relaxed, watch some surf videos, listen to live music with a DJ or band or sit in the garden with the stove to see the stars”, they seduce from the venture. Right in front of the sea, its imprint is steeped in the desire to surf and live in contact with nature of its creators. “We work at night and surf during the day, and Cachalote has that joy and relaxation,” they describe.
If the idea is instead to go during the day, Luva is a warm space where you can have a good cup of coffee accompanied by homemade pastries, where the star is the carrot cake. “I always thought of it as something intimate where my friends would come, and that’s how it was: today the clients became my people,” explains Luisina Varisto, creator and alma mater of the space that she attends every day. Also meters from the sea, he says that his greatest charm is listening to the waves and the sound of birds from the premises, and that although the area has grown a lot lately, the dynamic of nature and relaxation remains in force and is what more attracts.
A little over a year ago, Blossom was also added to the gourmet map of the area. Initially only with cafeteria service (as they had been doing for a long time in a kiosk called Punto Chapa), when they moved to a garden they added more items to the menu. “We do a search to find recipes that allow us to enjoy all things delicious while honoring the diversity of foods and techniques that we have available. The result is an inclusive menu, where there are options for different needs or food choices”, describes Micaela Alonso Iriart, co-founder. For example, the vegetarian sandwich on homemade bread with agroecological gouda cheese, smoked mayonnaise, green leaves, your choice of marinade and tomato, or the salty crumble that comes with pumpkin and cheese, aubergines and Roquefort or dried tomatoes with caramelized onions.
And if lodging is what you are looking for, Casa Pampa is a complex of houses overlooking the sea and immersed in the wildest green, but with all the comfort. It is that it also offers indoor pools, spa, underground cellar, signature drinks and a restaurant where you can enjoy dishes from the sea and the countryside. “The sophistication of everyday life, the assembly with the environment without altering it and the harmony with the ecosystem is the luxury that the enjoyment of this space represents”, detail its owners. Easily accessible and with beaches hidden between the cliffs, its cabins are surrounded by dunes and vegetation and offer the most perfect communion of the “Chapa experience”.
True to its essence
In this second summer after the outbreak of the pandemic, the growth of Chapadmalal is more noticeable than ever. And it was that parate of the world that prompted many to rethink their way of life, and this was a chosen destination to settle. Transforming the “home office” into a “beach office”, the town grew and enriched itself with different profiles, although they all coincided in their love for nature. “There is a particular magic of this area that comes from the hand of many neighbors who brought their investment, an idea, a profession or a trade and merged it with what the place offered them. That is what gives Chapa its identity, a sense of community and an energy that it likes”, they analyze from Blossom. “The pandemic taught us that plans sometimes fall apart, but what really touches us and fills us with life we can count on the fingers of the hand,” synthesizes Pía Neira. For more and more people, the vibe of life in Chapadmalal responds very well to that search.
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