Buenos Aires: Polo Lesson Day Trip with Farm Pickup

Summary

Learn polo on a Buenos Aires farm with pros and city pickup

You’ll ride out from Buenos Aires for a real polo lesson on a working farm, learning from professional players who make you feel right at home (even if you’ve never been on a horse). Expect hands-on instruction, plenty of laughs, all your equipment provided, and roundtrip transport so you can just focus on enjoying yourself.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed wasn’t the horses or even the fields, but this smell — grass after rain, leather saddles, something sweet from the farmhouse kitchen. We’d left Buenos Aires behind in a minivan just an hour earlier, watching the city fade into low green countryside. When we arrived, our instructor (Martín — he shook my hand like we’d met before) grinned at my sneakers and said, “Don’t worry, everyone starts somewhere.” I still think about that welcome.

I’d never held a polo mallet before. Martín showed us how to grip it — “like you’re shaking hands with your breakfast,” he joked — and then we met our horses. Mine was called Luna. She looked at me sideways, patient but definitely smarter than I am. There was a moment when I tried to ask her to move and she just… didn’t. Martín laughed and shouted something in Spanish I only half caught (I think it was encouraging?). The lesson itself felt like learning to dance on horseback; hitting the ball is way harder than it looks on TV. My arms are still sore.

There were a couple of other travelers in our group — one guy from Germany who’d never ridden before either, and a local woman who grew up watching matches outside the city. She told me about her grandfather’s stories of old polo tournaments while we waited our turn. The air was cool but not cold, and every so often you’d hear distant dogs barking or someone whistling from the stables. Lunch smells drifted over as we practiced turns (I got hungry fast). Honestly, I didn’t expect to laugh so much at myself trying to hit that tiny ball.

Afterwards, as we drove back toward Buenos Aires in the late light, I felt tired in that good way you get after trying something new with strangers who don’t feel like strangers anymore. If you’re curious about polo — or just want a day out of the city where people actually look you in the eye — this day trip is worth it for that alone.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Polo lesson and countryside visit

• Meet at city center
• Travel to countryside by minivan
• Receive polo lesson from professionals
• Learn riding techniques and polo rules
• Return to city center

Top questions

Do I need horseback riding experience for this polo lesson?

No prior horseback riding experience is needed; horses are matched to your skill level.

How do I get to the polo farm from Buenos Aires?

Round trip transport by minivan is included from a central meeting point in Buenos Aires.

Is equipment provided for the polo lesson?

Yes, all essential player equipment including helmet and mallet is provided (except boots).

What languages does the instructor speak?

The instructor speaks both English and Spanish.

Are there age or health restrictions for this tour?

The minimum age is 6 and maximum is 70; participants should have moderate fitness and good cardiovascular health.

What should I wear for my polo lesson near Buenos Aires?

A casual dress code applies; comfortable sport shoes are recommended since boots aren’t provided.

Is lunch included during this day trip?

No lunch is mentioned as included in this experience.

Can children participate in this activity?

Yes, children aged 6 years or older can join with adult supervision.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off from a central meeting spot in Buenos Aires, all necessary player equipment except boots (so bring comfy sport shoes), plus personal instruction from an English/Spanish-speaking pro at the farm before heading back to town together.