Buenos Aires: Polo Match, Lesson & BBQ Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (461 reviews) 98% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/27

Duration9h

GroupUp to 35

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Argentinian countryside polo day with match lesson BBQ lunch

You’ll leave Buenos Aires behind for a day surrounded by horses and laughter—watching pro players in action, tasting empanadas and Argentinian wine under shady trees, learning polo basics from locals who make it look easy. Between bites of barbecue and your own wobbly swings on horseback, you’ll find yourself grinning more than you expected.

Step-by-step itinerary

Polo match, lesson, and BBQ day-trip

Depart Buenos Aires hotel by minibus
Admire countryside and learn about polo
Arrive at polo center, enjoy empanadas and wine
Listen to talk about polo horses and breeding
Watch a live high-energy polo match
Have Argentinian barbecue lunch with wine
Relax by pool or take a countryside stroll
Attend polo safety briefing and lesson
Practice polo skills with expert instructor
Play a mini polo game with novices
Return to Buenos Aires hotel

The Experience

The first thing I noticed was the soft thud of hooves on grass—way before I saw any horses. We’d just pulled up after leaving Buenos Aires behind (the city always feels louder when you come back, by the way). Our guide, Lucía, waved us over to a shaded table where trays of empanadas and glasses of Malbec were waiting. She laughed when I hesitated over my Spanish—“Don’t worry, everyone here mixes up ‘caballo’ and ‘cabello’ at least once.” The air smelled like fresh bread and something smoky drifting from the grill. I didn’t expect to feel so relaxed so quickly.

Watching the polo match was honestly wild. I mean, thirty horses thundering past while players swung mallets like it was nothing—I kept losing track of the ball. Lucía explained the rules as we watched (I only half-followed), but mostly I just stared at the speed and how even the horses seemed to know exactly what to do. There was this moment during one chukka when everything went quiet except for hoofbeats and shouts in Spanish, then suddenly someone scored and everyone cheered. It’s hard not to get swept up in that energy.

Lunch was this proper asado—grilled meats piled high, salads tossed together last minute, more wine than I probably needed. Someone’s uncle (or maybe not?) kept offering seconds. Afterward a few people swam in the pool; I took a slow walk around instead, watching sunlight flicker through eucalyptus leaves. Then came our own polo lesson. They matched me with a very patient horse named Tango—who definitely knew more about polo than I did—and handed me a mallet (“taco,” which still makes me smile). My swing was… let’s say inconsistent. But our instructor cheered every attempt anyway.

I still think about that feeling: wind on my face, sunburn creeping up my neck, trying not to drop the mallet while everyone else laughed along with me—not at me, thankfully. On the drive back to Buenos Aires, Lucía asked if any of us would take up polo for real now. No promises—but there’s something about that day that sticks with you.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Buenos Aires, entry to a countryside polo club where you’ll watch a live match played by professionals, enjoy regional empanadas with local wine on arrival, savor an Argentinian BBQ lunch (with vegetarian options), take part in a beginner-friendly polo lesson with all equipment provided by expert instructors—and there’s time set aside for swimming or strolling before heading back into town.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Argentina Polo Day