Private Tour to San Antonio de Areco: Gaucho town & Estancia from Buenos Aires
Description
We definitely offer the most complete, entertaining and customized Gaucho Day you can find in Argentina ! Take a deep dive into Argentina’s gaucho culture on this day tour and explore with a local guide who knows the intimate details of life in the Pampas! We will show you around our colonial town. We’ll visit buildings which previously held and century-old bars, the parish of San Antonio de Padua and various local craftsmen, including the Draghi silversmith workshop. You’ll finish the morning with a visit to the Ricardo Güiraldes Gaucho museum and its pulpería La Blanqueada. At midday we’ll take you to a nearby working Estancia (ranch), where you’ll ride horses to the open fields, feast on a traditional asado lunch (barbecue), and watch equestrian demonstrations and dance performances. Our official licensed travel agency is made up of a warm and welcoming team, who share the same passion for history and Gaucho traditions. In addition, all our guides and drivers are bilingual.
Tour Options
Itinerary
At one-hour drive from Buenos Aires along the National Road “number 8” (Ruta 8), the vast plains of the Pampas make an appearance and show us their vastness. When we arrive in San Antonio de Areco, we have arrived at the centre of Gaucho culture.
For those who love culture and History, the best way to start your visit is to go and see the main square called Ruiz de Arellano, home to the parish of San Antonio de Padua. You’ll get to know the story of how the first Spanish conquistadors, importing from Europe noble materials as wood and floor tile, began to build the city around 1730.
The pub El Boliche de Bessonart opened more than 200 years ago. Its sloping frontage like the Tower of Pisa, its render of period, its uncommon roof, and its two main rooms help the pub stand the test of time.
From 1885 when it was built, up to 1966 when the town decided to buy it, the town hall, right in front of the parish, is an old colonial mansion which belonged to one of the wealthiest families in town. Today you can visit it and admire its large interior patio, its period tiles, old well and wrought-iron grids.
This museum exhibits a private collection illustrating the evolution of silversmith styles in Argentina, from the nineteenth century to the present day. In Mariano Draghi's workshop, you’ll get to see unique pieces inspired by traditional techniques.
The artisanal chocolate factory La Olla de Cobre is renowned throughout the province. People of Buenos Aires come specially to San Antonio de Areco to buy their delicious chocolates and their famous alfajores. An essential stopover for gourmets.
The Ricardo Güiraldes museum offers different perspectives on Argentina’s past, specifically in relation to the gauchos: their customs, equipment, how they earnt a living ... It also explores the life of the writer Ricardo Güiraldes’ personality.
Accompanied by your guide, you’ll head to an Estancia, located 15 minutes from town, in the middle of the Pampa plains. After a quick tour of the Estancia and a horseback ride (or carriage ride) to explore some of the 400 hectare property, you’ll be invited to enjoy a delicious asado lunch served under the shade of hundred year old trees. You’ll then have the chance to watch and admire the Estancia’s gauchos’ performance of equestrian dexterity, as well as listen to and watch traditional Argentine music and dance.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up from any Buenos Aires hotel or from the address of your choice in Buenos Aires
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Reviews(124)
We loved the place, the rooms were very comfortable and well-decorated... and the wood-burning stove in each one was the cherry on top. I also have to highlight all the facilities and the food... But the highest score is for the service... all the people who work there are very warm and 100% available to the guests.
Punctual and friendly 8.30 pickup from the hotel and smooth drive to SF which takes about 90 minutes. Delightful guide Camilla in SF who explained about the town and gaucho culture. Interesting visits to the gaucho silversmith, leather workshop etc. Camilla came with us to the estancia which was El Ombro and featured in our guide book. She looked after us during the stages of the visit which made it very easy. The welcoming drink and empanadas were fab. Then horse ride or buggy ride to see a bit of the ranch area. Inside for the bbq meal which (surprise surprise) was very meaty. You have to be careful what you pick if bones/fat are not really your scene. But it was a bbq. Overall the estancia was a good experience but dropped a star for me based on the meat. But our guide Camila was excellent, five stars, and we had interesting conversations over lunch about life in Argentina. Super English. Another smooth drive back to BA and we were back at our hotel just after 6pm. Good driver Snr Adrian. So a very good day out from BA learning about gaucho culture. Thank you
Dear Nigel, Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the journey to San Antonio de Areco and that Camila’s insights into gaucho culture made your visit so special. She and Sr. Adrian will be delighted to hear your praise! Regarding your feedback on the meal, we appreciate your honesty. We always strive to provide an authentic Argentine experience, and as you noted, a traditional asado is a celebration of meat. In Argentina, many of our most flavorful and traditional cuts—such as the tira de asado (short ribs)—are intentionally grilled with the bone and a bit of fat, as this is what gives the meat its soul and signature taste. However, we also serve a wide variety of other cuts, including bife de lomo (tenderloin), entraña (skirt steak), matambre (flank), chicken, and achuras (traditional appetizers), to ensure there is something for every palate. We are so glad that, despite the "meaty" surprise, the estancia provided a memorable day out for you. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you back to Argentina in the future! Warm regards,
This was the most wonderful experience! From the time our efficient, thoughtful and communicative driver, Adrian, showed up at our doorstep, we had an amazing time. Julieta, our local guide (works, lives and is a teacher in San Antonio de Areco, so was very plugged in with the history of the area, community and knew all the local artisans we visited giving us some unique access opportunities!) She was very informative and extremely responsive to our needs throughout the day, often going out of her way to make certain things happen or go more smoothly for us. She was really wonderful wirh my 6yo daughter too. I originally didn't really know if we needed/wanted the town historical portion of the tour, but in retrospect now I feel it was vital to understanding the history of the region and culture of the Gauchos and hence really enhanced the day's experience (as opposed to just showing up at the Estancia with no context). The afternoon at the Estancia itself was a dream -- my daughter was so thrilled to ride a horse and the food, cultural show (this is not just a tourist gimmick, I asked and they only have real gauchos and local artists performing), gaucho-horse handling presentation and really the entire ambience were all fantastic. It was truly a splendid day and I couldn't recommend this tour and company more highly!
A great day out seeing not only the estancia but also San Antonia Areco. Plenty to see and do. Horse riding was a bit tame but I guess they have to cater for beginners.
We were looking for an escape from the city buzz and ended up having a magical day in San Antonio de Areco. If you want to experience the true essence of the Argentine gaucho in a romantic and polished setting, this experience is a must. Highly recommended, the experience includes transportation. My wife and I had a great time.
This was a wonderful day out of the city onto a ranch. We had a private driver from the city, and even though he couldn’t speak a lot of English, he did a Translate app to talk to us, which we appreciated. Camila met us in Areco and we had the private tour around the historic area and several shops. She is a local and really understands the gaucho culture here. The driver took us along with Camila to the Estancia for a wonderful day. Lots of food, dancing, music and horseback riding. Beautiful location. Highly recommend this tour. It is a ways out from the city so there’s a one and a half to 2 Hour drive in each direction.
Overall, the experience was very good. However, the tour of the town was a little long in the heat with no option to stop for a drink. Be sure to carry water. Once on the ranch, it was great with an option for either horseback ride or carriage ride along with a good meal and lively music/dancing and horse demonstration!
We did this trip on our last day in Argentina. Our driver picked us up at the hotel and took us to San Antonio de Areco where we met our guide. She was so sincere in her love for Argentina and for the gaucho lifestyle - it was really endearing and made the experience so much better. We came away understanding the gaucho culture so much more than we thought we would. The town is just lovely and the Estancia Ranch offered trail rides and carriage rides as well as a lunch with more food than anyone could eat. The dancing and horse show were also very interesting. I was afraid it would be cheesy but really enjoyed our day.
This was one of the highlights of our trip to Bueno’s Aires. Veronica, our tour operator, was incredible. So warm, informative and wonderful energy. We had an amazing time exploring San Antonio as well as the gaucho history and experience with the people, food, horses and culture. I would highly recommend.
This excursion was one of the highlights of our trip. I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys horses, nature and beautiful countryside. And if you are fortunate enough to receive Facundo as your guide then your day will be perfect!
