The seaside resort city of Mar del Plata hosted the XII Pan American Games.

Organizers spread the 1995 games throughout Argentina, including Buenos Aires, Parana, and Mar del Plata.

Honoring an agreement that was made after Mar del Plata withdrew their bid for the 1991 Pan American Games, ODEPA selected Mar del Plata as the host city for the 1995 games at their General Assembly in Havana, Cuba in October 1989.

[2] The mascot, Lobi, is a sea lion, an animal commonly found in the waters of Mar de Plata.

The sports of basque pelota, karate, racquetball, squash, triathlon and water skiing appeared on the schedule for the first time.