Is La Plata worth staying overnight or is it a day trip from Buenos Aires?

La Plata is 56 km from Buenos Aires and often done as a day trip, but an overnight stay lets you properly explore the Natural Sciences Museum, the zoo, the cathedral interior, and the Pasaje Dardo Rocha without rushing. It's also cheaper than Buenos Aires.

What is the best area to stay in La Plata?

The city-centre blocks around Plaza Moreno are the most convenient base. The cathedral, the Casa de Gobierno, and the main museums are all within a 15-minute walk. Accommodation here ranges from business hotels to budget posadas.

How far is La Plata from Buenos Aires Ezeiza airport?

Ezeiza (EZE) is approximately 80 km from La Plata - about 1.5 hours by car or remis depending on traffic. Aeroparque (AEP, Jorge Newbery) in Buenos Aires is 60 km away. Many visitors fly into Ezeiza and continue to La Plata by road.

Does La Plata have good transport to Buenos Aires for a day visit?

Yes. Frequent buses (Costera Metropolitana, El Rápido) run from La Plata to Retiro, Constitución, and Plaza de Mayo every 20–30 minutes, taking 60–90 minutes. The Ferrobaires train also runs, though less frequently. La Plata makes a comfortable and affordable Buenos Aires Province base.

Where to Stay in La Plata | The Argentina Guide

La Plata is the planned capital of Buenos Aires Province, laid out on a grid-and-diagonal street system in 1882 and purpose-built as an administrative city distinct from Buenos Aires itself. What sounds like a bureaucratic origin has produced a genuinely interesting place: one of the most complete Neo-Gothic cathedrals in the Americas, a Jurassic Park-calibre natural sciences museum, 18 national parks within the city limits, and a young, student-heavy population thanks to the National University of La Plata. Staying overnight rather than day-tripping rewards visitors with a calmer Buenos Aires Province experience. Here’s where to stay in La Plata.

Where to Stay in La Plata: Area Breakdown

Plaza Moreno and City Centre

The Plaza Moreno is La Plata’s monumental heart - a 4-hectare square with the Cathedral at one end and the Casa de Gobierno (provincial government palace) at the other. Both are extraordinary buildings: the cathedral is one of the largest in Latin America and was under construction for 113 years (1884–1999). The blocks around the plaza and along Avenida 7 (the main commercial axis) have the highest concentration of accommodation in the city. Everything is walkable from here.

Who it suits: First-time visitors, those coming specifically for the cathedral and museums, business travellers.

La Plata University District (Around Avenida 1 and Diagonal 78)

The university area has a younger, more informal feel - hostels, student restaurants, and vinyl record shops. It’s a 15-minute walk from the city centre and well-connected by city buses. Accommodation here tends to be cheaper, and the neighbourhood is livelier in the evenings.

Who it suits: Backpackers, those visiting students or academics, travellers who prefer neighbourhood energy to monument proximity.

Near the Bus Terminal

La Plata’s bus terminal is on Diagonal 74 and Calle 42, 1 km from the Plaza Moreno. A cluster of budget and mid-range hotels sits within walking distance - useful for arrivals and early departures, though slightly removed from the main sights.

Who it suits: Transit visitors, those arriving late by bus from Patagonia or the coast.

Budget Accommodation (ARS 20,000–55,000/night as of 2026)

Hotel Corregidor - Calle 6 Nº 1026, city centre. A no-frills but central three-story hotel popular with university visitors and budget business travellers. Doubles from approximately ARS 28,000 per night, private bathrooms. Three blocks from Plaza Moreno. The front rooms face a quiet street; ask for one away from the bus route if noise is a concern.

Hostel La Plata - Calle 45 Nº 516, near the bus terminal. The city’s main backpacker hostel, with dorms from approximately ARS 14,000 per person per night and private doubles from approximately ARS 38,000. Common areas with a good communal kitchen; the staff have solid knowledge of student-priced restaurants and free museum entrances.

Apart Hotel Los Tilos - Calle 2 Nº 645, city centre. Self-catering apartments with kitchenettes, popular with visiting academics and families. Studio apartments from approximately ARS 48,000 per night. Good for stays of three nights or more, where self-catering saves money over restaurant-only eating. Quiet neighbourhood near the Pasaje Dardo Rocha.

Mid-Range Accommodation (ARS 80,000–160,000/night as of 2026)

Hotel Corregidor 4 Estrellas - Calle 6 Nº 1026 (superior version of the above). A step up from the budget floors - better mattresses, buffet breakfast included, and a small business centre. Doubles from approximately ARS 90,000 per night. The same central location with improved fittings; a practical choice for business travellers.

Hotel Benevento - Calle 54 Nº 334, city centre. Three-star with 45 rooms, indoor pool, and a restaurant serving standard Argentine fare. Doubles from approximately ARS 110,000 per night, breakfast included. The pool is a real advantage for summer stays; La Plata’s December–February temperatures regularly exceed 35°C. Six blocks from the Cathedral.

Hotel San Marcos - Calle 54 Nº 523, city centre. Reliable four-star with a calm interior, comfortable rooms, and a business-friendly setup that makes it popular with provincial government visitors. Doubles from approximately ARS 130,000 per night. Breakfast buffet is extensive; the coffee is better than average.

Hotel Cementerio - Diagonal 74 Nº 894, near the cemetery and city centre. Despite the name (it faces the city’s historic cemetery, one of the more architecturally notable in Buenos Aires Province), this is a pleasant mid-range option with a pool, good wi-fi, and rooms that are significantly larger than the price suggests. Doubles from approximately ARS 120,000 per night.

Luxury Accommodation (from USD 80/night as of 2026)

Hotel Avenida - Avenida 60 Nº 902, near the natural sciences museum. The most upmarket full-service hotel in La Plata. Four-star with 70 rooms, restaurant, and spa. Doubles from approximately USD 80 per night (as of 2026). Standard rooms are comfortable and well-maintained; corner rooms on upper floors have diagonal street views that show off La Plata’s planned city geometry. A short walk to the Museum of Natural Sciences and the Zoo.

Howard Johnson La Plata - Diagonal 79 Nº 91, city centre. The only international chain property in La Plata. Reliable standards, a rooftop pool, and a location three blocks from Plaza Moreno. Doubles from approximately USD 90 per night (as of 2026). Breakfast is included and the quality is consistent. Good option for travellers moving between La Plata and Buenos Aires who want predictable comfort.

La Plata Accommodation Tips

The city grid is unusual: La Plata uses a numbered-street system on a diagonal grid - streets run northeast-southwest as well as north-south. “Diagonal 73” and “Diagonal 74” refer to specific named boulevards. Google Maps handles it well but be prepared for some initial confusion when walking.

Museum entrances: The Museo de Ciencias Naturales (natural sciences museum) is worth at least three hours of your day. Entrance as of 2025 was free for Argentine residents but charged a small fee for foreign visitors - confirm current prices at the door. The Cathedral charges a small entry fee for the underground crypt and roof tour.

Getting to La Plata from Buenos Aires: Frequent bus services from Constitución (Line 129, Costera Metropolitana) depart every 20–30 minutes and take 60–90 minutes depending on traffic. The bus from Retiro also works but is slower. Driving from Buenos Aires takes 45–75 minutes via the Autopista Buenos Aires–La Plata.

Parking: La Plata has a managed central parking system. If driving, ask your hotel about nearby garage parking (cocheras) - on-street overnight parking in the centre requires a permit and towing happens.

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Where to Stay in La Plata: Best Hotels and Areas for Every Budget