Horseback riding in San Antonio de Areco from Buenos Aires

Gaucho culture, colonial town, horseback riding, and an estancia lunch in one day

A 10-hour private tour from Buenos Aires takes you to San Antonio de Areco, the heart of gaucho country, where you explore the colonial town with a local guide, then ride horses across the Pampas at a working estancia and eat traditional asado under hundred-year-old trees. The tour includes hotel pickup, a bilingual guide, all activities at the ranch, and transport throughout. You choose between horseback riding or a carriage ride to explore the 400-hectare property.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore San Antonio de Areco and Estancia

• Drive one hour from Buenos Aires
• Visit Ruiz de Arellano main square and parish
• See El Boliche de Bessonart pub
• Tour the old colonial town hall
• Visit Mariano Draghi silversmith workshop
• Stop at La Olla de Cobre chocolate factory
• Explore Ricardo Güiraldes Gaucho museum
• Travel to nearby Estancia ranch
• Tour Estancia and ride horses or carriage
• Enjoy traditional asado lunch
• Watch gaucho equestrian and dance show

The experience

You leave Buenos Aires in the morning for a one-hour drive along Route 8 into the Pampas, arriving in San Antonio de Areco as the landscape opens up. The town sits at the center of Argentina's gaucho tradition, and your guide walks you through the colonial center: the main square with the parish of San Antonio de Padua, built around 1730 with materials imported from Europe; the sloping-roofed El Boliche de Bessonart, a pub that has stood for over 200 years; the town hall, a former mansion with period tiles and a deep interior patio. You'll stop at Mariano Draghi's silversmith workshop to see pieces made using traditional techniques, and the Ricardo Güiraldes museum, which traces gaucho life, customs and equipment through the writer's own story.

At midday you head to an estancia 15 minutes outside town, a working ranch spread across 400 hectares. After a tour of the property, you ride horses (or take a carriage if you prefer), into the open fields. Then comes the asado: grilled meats cooked on a traditional parilla, served with salad, drinks, dessert and coffee under the shade of hundred-year-old trees. While you eat, the estancia's gauchos perform equestrian demonstrations and traditional Argentine music and dance.

Your guide is bilingual and licensed, and the team handles all the details: hotel pickup and drop-off in Buenos Aires, the transfer itself in an air-conditioned vehicle, and a welcome with empanadas and drinks when you arrive at the estancia. Vegetarian options are available if you request them at booking.

What’s included

• Professional bilingual guide.
• private hotel pickup and drop-off from Buenos Aires.
• air-conditioned transport throughout the day.
• welcome with empanadas and drinks.
• guided tour of San Antonio de Areco's colonial center, including the parish, town hall, silversmith workshop and gaucho museum.
• horseback riding or carriage ride across the 400-hectare estancia.
• traditional asado lunch with grilled meats, salad, drinks, dessert and coffee.
• equestrian demonstrations and traditional Argentine music and dance performances.
• vegetarian meal option available upon request.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to16h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleInfant seats available

Operated by Areco Tradicion

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so the pace and stops are yours alone, and the guide tailors the day to what interests you most. Choose it if you want to ride horses yourself rather than watch from a vehicle, and if you have a full day to spend. The 10 hours lets you move slowly through the town, spend real time at the ranch, and not rush the asado lunch.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long does the horseback riding last at the estancia?

The estancia visit includes a quick tour of the property followed by a horseback ride (or carriage ride) to explore the ranch. The exact duration is not fixed, as it depends on the day's flow and your pace, but the full estancia experience is part of the 10-hour tour.

What is San Antonio de Areco known for?

San Antonio de Areco is the center of gaucho culture in Argentina. The town preserves colonial buildings from around 1730, including the parish, the old town hall, and century-old bars, alongside workshops where artisans still practice traditional silversmithing and other crafts tied to gaucho heritage.

Is the asado lunch included, and what does it consist of?

Yes, asado lunch is included. It features a selection of grilled meats cooked on a traditional Argentine barbecue (parilla), accompanied by salad, drinks, dessert and coffee, all served at the estancia under the shade of hundred-year-old trees.

Can I choose between riding a horse and taking a carriage at the estancia?

Yes, you can ride horses or take a carriage ride to explore the property. You decide which suits you when you book or on the day.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel in Buenos Aires?

Yes, private hotel pickup and drop-off in Buenos Aires are included, along with all transport throughout the day in an air-conditioned vehicle.