Hope not. I never knew anything about it until my first visit to Argentina. I wondered why so many people were carrying flasks about with them.
When my wife lived in Scotland she always had at least one yerba mate a day. Her cases were always full of packets of it on our return journey after holidaying here.
Oh, yes! I can imagine that 
Usually, people who drink mate have it every day and maybe several times a day.
Or anybody's with a basic understanding of how diseases spread, for what matters.
I have always drank my mate alone. I started by sipping my husband's mate, and I have also asked him to not share his mate with anyone else. Not even his families.
I remember that on the Subway in NY many years ago there was a campaign to raise awareness on cavities passed from mother to child when she "cleaned" the pacer by sucking it.
Here's hoping they carry on with the tradition.
One worry is the expanding choice of designer drinks now available in cans which are obviously aimed at the younger generation. I fear they might acquire a taste for the booze rather than sharing a mate.
Well... that can be a 'risk' but things change and as generations adopt traditions they, more or less consciously, adapt them to their tastes and habits. But I think the traditional mate experience is unlikely to disappear
That's only being sensible. I'm talking about the years before Covid. I suspect Covid will also make mate drinking even less popular with the young ones. Other drinks will have become more popular.
I really have no idea what will happen in the future! Kids usually don't like it (probably because it's bitter unless their families add sugar) but mate becomes popular among teens. Teenagers share a code, interests, music, and mate is one more thing they can share.
When I first came here it was usual to see people sitting outside sharing a mate with friends...even groups of young ones in the squares. It doesn't seem to be as common a sight now. I wonder if its popularity is waning?
With Covid people stopped sharing mate. You may share it within your bubble, though. Maybe you've heard/read the 'Cada uno con su mate' campaign?
Or even Malbec.
Tea and Malbec are both nice for different reasons. But rather than a beverage, mate is for many people an accompaniment. I'm not sure if it is, in this sense, similar to coffee in the US.
Indeed. We have two hummingbird nests outside. Used to be three but one fell during a storm. Glad to say there were no eggs or young ones in it at the time.
Hummingbird nests? And not one but two??? Lucky you 
Beautiful photos, and yes, the hummingbird garden looks like a magical place. Thanks very much, An expat's wife !
Fortunately, it is possible to see hummingbirds everywhere, not only there!
Display MoreOn of our trips back from Mar del Plata we drove past the whole coastal beach towns so much advertised as summer holiday destinations. Cariló is definitely the poshiest, with several nice shops in the middle of it (although parking is a pain in summer and it becomes too crowded). I liked the big mansions in the wood (which is not a natural forest, it was planned), however the prices are for a family of 10 (or several families) so they are well over our budget.
I liked the feeling of Valeria del Mar. Still not too big and developed like the other places and hopefully not so expensive.
A place where I liked it was Sierra de los Padres, about 30 km from Mar del Plata. It is not on the coast but there is Laguna de los Padres nearby, with woods and fields, horses, and some water sports activities. However, coming all the way from Buenos Aires and stopping right before the sea seems sort of pointless. It is a long drive from Capital.
I am not sure how to add a google map, but here it is!
Yes, Cariló it's a man-made forest. And yes, several families rent one home: I've seen up to 5 cars parked in front of a house, and it wasn't even a huge mansion! It's a pity accommodation prices are so high here because, although tourists keep coming, they have hardly any money left to dine out or to buy souvenirs; that means shopkeepers can't benefit from tourism, really
No! Have never ever heard of the hummingbird garden, but it sounds delightful.
This is the Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/jardindecolibriescarilogolf/
Hmmmm...still not convinced. I suspect if we lived in Buenos Aires my thoughts would be very different though.
I'm not sure I understand how your thoughts would be different?
It's not cheap though, at around AR$13,000 + VAT at 21% per night for a cabin at Punta Cerezo, Carilo, so we're looking for something cheaper. Maybe Mar de las Pampas.
Yes, I know what you mean: the crazy prices are definitely a challenge 😔
Completely agree. The beach-forest mix is scenic and has the added benefit of bringing songbirds to the mix.
I've come several times to Cariló during my childhood, now I live here full time, and I am still amazed by the surroundings; have you visited the hummingbird's garden?
We're looking into a long weekend break in a cabaña for sometime in May. We've been before in winter and loved it because the cabin we rented had its own parrilla just by the back door and it was five minutes walk to the sea.
Very cosy for a romantic break away from the city.
The whole scene seems idyllic! I hope you can make it in May
I've not been to the seaside here. Never fancied it either from the pictures I've seen down Mar del Plata and other places mentioned here. I'm probably wrong but they all look rather uninteresting....nowt else but sand and sea? I like rocky pools,cliffs,picturesque fishing villages....and the odd castle.
Hahaha! Well, Mar del Plata is a big city, the biggest in the area. That's why it's the one with a wider range of activities (cinema, theater, museums, restaurants, cafes, casino, etc.). Maybe I'm wrong but I think that the feature that distinguishes places like Cariló, Pinamar, Mar Azul, and Mar de las Pampas is the beach-forest mix, which can be quite unusual
Well, the whole Atlantic coat around there looks the same to me, but Carilo appeals to me the most.
Sometimes it seems as if we don't know why we like a place until someone makes us think about it
Too hot all year around, i.e. I like distinct seasons.
Given a perfect world I would live on the SW coast of England or West Wales, but if it had to be Argentine it would be any small coastal town in the Carilo area. But it would have to overlook the sea directly for the storms and sea views.
I wish I have the chance to travel to the SW coast of England or Wales someday! When you say a coastal town in the Cariló area, do you mean that, for example, Mar de las Pampas, Villa Gessel, and Mar Azul would be good options too? I ask you because although they are relatively nearby and have some similarities, they are not the same
The last time went to Iguazu was back in 2006 when my daughter came to see us from UK and I enjoyed all of it. We stayed in a cabaña near a massive swimming pool in the 'jungle' and took boat trips around the falls. The Devil's Throat was very impressive.
I wouldn't live there and given the chance, it would have to be next to the sea, rain or shine.
Great shot and I have no doubts you've spent a wonderful time in Iguazu with your family! Now I wonder a) why wouldn't you live there? and b) which beach towns would you consider living in?
My wife!!
hahahah! Say no more 
I do like the Villa La Angostura area. Being Scottish it reminds me of 'home'. I could live there.
We didn't have as many Italians and Spanish immigrants, but we had Scottish settlers in Argentina, especially in Patagonia. Is there a reason why you don't live there?
We spent several days up in Foz. The falls were of course the main reason for going. I can't say I'd want to stay more than a few days there though. I certainly won't be returning.
I see. It was on your checklist and now it's done! Is there any place you've visited a few times and you'd consider living in? If so, what makes you feel this way?
Display MoreYou can't compare the restaurants and the gastronomic offers with that of Capital, Córdoba etc.
Puerto Iguazú is the only touristic place that deserves that name. The other locations (the Jesuitic Ruins in the south, Oberá in the middle, and Los Saltos del Moconá in the upper right part) are very off the beaten track. They are all small rural places, where one would have empanadas, pizza and asado on rotation every single day.
There is no sea but there are rivers and falls. Also a lot of mosquitoes!
But it is cheap and you can see wild animals (parrots, birds) in any garden and rent a place with a pool.
Posadas, the capital of Misiones, is sadder than San Juan. Dirty and poor.
Just the other day, my SIL offered my husband to go to her place in Mar del Plata for a month and half to pet sit her bunny. But in May-June it is very cold and windy on the coast, and even a MDP lover like my husband said that after 3-4 days in winter it is boring and depressing over there.
This is a very interesting and complete reflection. What I can interpret from what you say is that there is a non-negotiable list (for example, warm weather, rich nature, affordability) and then there are some conditions that may not be ideal but totally bearable (mosquitos, town's livability): is that correct?
In Argentina, for me only somewhere north like Misiones - Puerto Iguazú. Lots of green, warm weather during winter, tourists all year round, near two borders (cheaper flights to abroad from Foç do Iguazu)
I see! Yes, in Misiones can be really hot even in July. And although they don't have beaches, nature is wonderful. What about the town's infrastructure (shops, restaurants, cafes)? I used to visit the place as a kid, mostly in rural areas, so I can't remember how lively it is.
Cariló is nice in the summer for the reason that Rice mentions. However, it is also the most expensive summer place in Argentina, so I don't see it as particularly attractive. I used to spend the summers in Mar del Plata with my husband, and as soon as the summer season was over, it became colder sooner than Buenos Aires, the wind was VERY strong, and temperatures in winter are much lower than in Capital.
As others have mentioned, all the nice places that are open in the summer (restaurants, cafés, bars etc.) are mostly closed. At least, in a city of 1.5 million people like Mar del Plata, business service is working all year round. However, it becomes very quiet and cold. For me, even Mar del Plata become unattractive in winter. It would be okay for a quick getaway for a change of scenery, but I would miss Buenos Aires.
Yes, you are right: price and cold weather can be a disadvantage for some people. If I may ask, which place would be a more attractive alternative?
What's the Internet service like in Carilo? You mentioned fibre optic, so it must be at least 50-100Mbps or more.
I'm sure that would satisfy most digital nomads' needs. Either way, it's a huge improvement on what the coastal Internet used to be down there.
I've just checked the speed: 280 Mb
My wife's always saying that...I do ramble on a bit!!
By the way welcome to the forum. Which country is your husband from?
That's why I said 'I think'
Thanks, for your welcome. My husband is from Siberia, Russia but he's been a nomad for 15 years and about 4 years ago he got the Argentinian citizenship.
In Scotland many of the locations that are idyllic in summer aren't quite as attractive out of season. There is still a market for weekend visitors in some places but it's mostly not worth the hassle for holiday rental owners to have to open up then close and clean a property unless they live close by.
The number of ''digital nomads'' waning to spend money renting a property at the sea
side in winter must be very low.
I think I understand what you mean and I guess that's why rental owners hire housekeepers who welcome visitors and clean up after they live. In any case, as you say, the town can be a nice summer destination but not attractive enough out of season for most people. Only a few of us find fascinating the beach and the forest in autumn and winter, too!
