San Antonio de Areco
Discover the Argentina of the gauchos just 113 kilometers away from the City of Buenos Aires.
Join those who fall in love with this traditional town of the Pampean plains. Meet the paisanos, the fusion between gauchos and immigrants. Discover the culture of a place filled with history. The criollo music and the native dances. The peñas and guitarreadas. The museums and the Tradition Fest [Fiesta de la Tradición]. Try asado with the hide grilled on a metal cross. Live gourmet experiences at the old general stores.
Walk amidst ancient tree groves, tour eucalyptus trails and visit stylish ranches that will welcome you with luxury amenities. Take part in gaucho activities at hostels and hotels in the countryside: herding and cow milking, horseback riding and sulky rides. Meet craftspeople who work with leather, silver, ceramics and “criollo” looms. Enjoy this place of traditions, declared a “National Heritage Site”.
Geographic location: 113 kilometers from the city of Buenos Aires.
How to get there: By land via Ruta Nacional 8. There are various bus lines which arrive from the city of Buenos Aires and from other places in the province.
Altitude: 26 meters above sea level (average altitude) Climate: warm and humid.
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days.
Recommended clothing: in winter (June through September), take warm clothes, a cap and scarf. In summer (December through March), a light jacket to wear at night will be enough. Also take comfortable (preferably light-colored) clothes, insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. In fall (March through June) or spring (September through December) bring an umbrella or raincoat. Take comfortable footwear.
What to do: Visit the Parque Criollo, the "Ricardo Güiraldes" Gaucho Museum [Museo Gauchesco "Ricardo Güiraldes"], the general stores, which have kept their style for 200 years, the Historic District [Casco Histórico], with its Italian and “criollo” architecture, the “Draghi” Silverware Museum [Museo de Platería "Draghi"], “La Recova” Museum and Workshop [Museo Atelier "La Recova"] and "Los rostros de la Pampa" Immigration Museum [Museo de Inmigración "Los rostros de la Pampa"]; or just relax in the shade of an ombu tree by the Areco River.
Tips: in November, take part of the Tradition Fest [Fiesta de la Tradición], considered the most ancient “criollo” celebration in our country.