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Buenos Aires Day Trips: San Antonio de Areco

Catherine

By | May 5, 2011

San Antonio de Areco, the quaint gaucho town nestled in the Pampas, makes for a great escape from the chaos of Buenos Aires. Filled with cowboys, saloon-style bars and leather goods, San Antonio de Areco is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the traditional gaucho culture that characterizes Argentina.

Founded in 1730, San Antonio de Areco’s cobblestoned lanes, colonial architecture, and free-roaming horses will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. To this day, the small town is considered a city of historic national interest by the Argentine Government as it continues to honor and celebrate gaucho culture. San Antonio de Areco is about a 2-hour bus ride from Buenos Aires and is about $10 US dollars.

Must see

1. Museo Gaucheso Ricardo Güiraldes– To truly understand and appreciate the traditional Argentinian spirit, this museum is a must when visiting San Antonio de Areco.
2. Puente Viaje– This picturesque bridge is great for taking some spectacular views of the city, especially during sunset.
3. Chocolateria La Olla de Cobre– Get your sugar fix at this little chocolate factory and don’t forget to try the alfajores.

What to do

Wander around the parks and plazas

Flanked around a towering 18th century church the Ruiz de Arellano Plaza is the center of town. Complete with leafy trees, cobblestone paths, and al fresco dining options, the plaza makes for a great place to dine at a local parrilla, stop for a coffee, or wander around a bit and take some photos. Only a few blocks away, the tranquil Río de Areco makes up the northern border of the town, and winds through Parque San Martin, a charming little park and the perfect spot to relax or enjoy a picnic.

Visit an Estancia

Travel back in time and experience the gaucho life for yourself by visiting a nearby estancia. Estancia Ombu, one of the highest-rated estancias in the area, is a 750 acre fully functioning cattle ranch, complete with horses, cattle and the gauchos themselves. Spend a day exploring the land on horse or bike, enjoying the swimming pool, and experiencing a traditional asado (Argentine barbecue) lunch.

Other estancias that are near San Antonio de Areco that are worth visiting are:
1. Haras San Blas– a great place for families to enjoy the unique landscape and relax.
2. Estancia la Cinacina– located between the backwater of the countryside and the town’s historic center, this estancia is considered one of the oldest in the region which is highlighted by the various colonial building.
3. Estancia La Porteño– declared as a National Historic Monument for having conserved the Creole-style architecture, this estancia was also the place where the famous writer Ricardo Güiraldes wrote some of his best work as he was inspired by the customs of the gauchos.

Gaucho Festival

The city hosts the country’s biggest celebration of gaucho culture in the country in November. Fiesta de la Tradicíon is filled with displays of horsemanship, live music, folk dancing, and of course a lot of delicious grilled meat. Thousands of gauchos and visitors flock to San Antonio de Areco to compete and enjoy the festivities, and the normally sleepy town comes to life. If you find yourself in Buenos Aires in November, making the trip to San Antonio de Areco for this festival is definitely worth it.

Accommodation

The hotels and hostels reflect the country style of San Antonio de Areco and embrace its coy and simplistic vibe. The average price of a hotel room is between $30 and $40 US dollars per night. Some of our favorite hotels are Hotel Agro, Santa Ana Hostel Boutique and Casa B, all close to the city center so you can truly soak up all of the small-town charm.

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