Located about a 4.5-hour bus ride away, Tandil is a little too far for a day trip, but makes for a perfect weekend getaway. With a population that barely surpasses 100,000, Tandil treats visiting tourists like visiting royalty. The locals are more than happy to offer advice, directions, or just join in a round of meandering chit-chat. For those of you whose perfect getaway combines an old-fashioned town with local flavor and a healthy dose of fresh air within a reasonable travel distance from the big city, this is the place for you!
Meats and Cheeses
Tandil’s cheeses are nationally renowned. You’ll notice several queserías (cheese factories) around town and an abundance of stores that sell these savory treats along with sausages and other locally produced goods.
Since this sleepy town is famous for these deli goods it makes for the perfect place to enjoy a traditional Argentine picada. The word picada comes from the verb picar (to pick at) and usually consists of a wooden tablet with cubes of cheese, ham, sausage, salami and green olives. The cubes are consumed with toothpicks and, depending on its size, can serve as a meal. There is no better place to purchase these products and try a tasty picada than Epoca de Quesos (located at the corner of San Martin and 9 de Julio). This local snack spot is located in one of Tandil’s oldest buildings, with a meats and cheeses store upfront and a nice quaint and rustic restaurant in the back. It even boasts two of its own beers, a blond and a dark, which are well worth sampling.
What to do
Cerro Movediza
Hundreds of years ago, Tandil was famous for a huge granite boulder that inexplicably remained balanced in a position that defied explanation for decades. The rock eventually tumbled, but the spot remains an attraction and the government has since installed a replica that shows what the boulder looked like during its final days.
Lago del Fuerte
On the edge of town sits the Lago del Fuerte(Lake of the Fort), a popular destination amongst both locals and tourists thanks to the serene and picturesque surroundings. A hike around the lake takes about an hour, and kayaks and row boats can also be rented to enjoy some time on the water.
Horseback Riding
There is a neighboring mountain range that is best explored by horse. There are several companies that offer horse-back riding excursions. An experienced guide takes you on a scenic route through the mountains, explaining all the various flora and fauna on the way.
Nightlife
Tandil nightlife boils down to pretty much two bars: Antares and Bar Tolomé, which are both usually quiet on weekdays, but pick up on the weekends. Bartolome often has live music, and Antares is the craft brewery out of Mar de Plata that serves a rotating list of high-quality microbrews.
Where to stay
For lodging, there are quite a few modest hotels located just across the street from the bus terminal. For a cozier stay, check out Hostería de las Cascadas, a quaint guesthouse tucked at the foot of the Tandil Sierras. Just a short 10 minute drive from downtown, this hotel is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the surrounding nature. If you’d rather stay in the city center, Mulen Hotel Tandil is a contemporary and environmentally friendly hotel located right in the heart of downtown.
More ideas for day trips and weekend getaways:
For a chill day trip to a suburban waterfront neighborhood in the Buenos Aires province check out San Isidro.
For a bustling small river town perfect for kayaking, canoeing and boat tours head to Tigre.
For a true Argentinean gaucho experience complete with horses and a traditional asado, consider staying at an Estancia in San Antonio de Areco.
Just a 1.5 hour ferry ride away, the quaint and colonial town of Colonia is perfect for escaping the chaos of Buenos Aires and collecting another passport stamp.
