San Antonio de Areco is the gaucho capital of Argentina. A gaucho is an Argentine cowboy and an important part of the culture and history of the country. The gaucho is admired for his freedom and rugged romanticism, and has become a folk hero in Argentina in a similar capacity to the cowboy in the United States. The small town of San Antonio de Areco is a portal into the historic gaucho world of Argentina and only a short trip from Buenos Aires.
How to Get to San Antonio de Areco
San Antonio de Areco is a small town 1.5 hours outside of Buenos Aires. It is accessible by bus or taxi. You can also look into a day tour from Buenos Aires to explore the town.
Taking A Bus
The bus goes from the central Buenos Aires bus station and San Antonio de Areco. The ticket can be purchased online in advance (link below) or directly at the central bus station where you can pay in pesos or with a credit card.
The bus takes between two to three hours to get to there. The bus stop is a 20 minute walk from the center of the town and it is the same location as where you will be picked up to return to Buenos Aires.
If you are visiting for El Día de la Tradición: You should purchase tickets for the bus in advance as it will fill up prior to the event. If you cannot find a bus that departs from the central Buenos Aires bus station, you can look for one that departs from Liniers bus station. This route will take an hour longer but you will still get there!
Taking a Taxi
To get to San Antonio de Areco faster or to go anywhere in the area that is not near the center of the town (such as an estancia hotel experience), you will want to take a taxi from Buenos Aires.
Various Places to Check Out in San Antonio de Areco
The Museo Gauchesco
If you are interested in gaucho history, consider visiting the Museo Gauchesco. This Spanish-only museum is small but it holds artifacts and memorability from the gaucho culture of the region, including the garb, knives, mate cups, etc. The architecture of the museum itself is a great display of the traditional architecture that is emblematic of the time of the gauchos.
The land around the museum is expansive grassy farmland and you may see horses grazing all around. It’s a very different world from the city of Buenos Aires.
Pulperia Lo de Tito
After visiting the museum, you can head to the center of San Antonio de Areco for a traditional Argentine lunch. Pulperia Lo de Tito is the perfect place for a glass of wine, fernet cola and some food, such as a picada (charcuterie and cheese board). The decor and ambiance of the restaurant will transport you to a traditional, small town in the pampas (plains) of Argentina. Also due to the small interior you may end up having great conversations with locals and fellow travelers visiting this traditional destination.
The Town Center of San antonio de Areco
Walking around the town center is a quick walk but the center is full of rich architecture, cute boutiques, and historical restaurants and bars. Spend some time exploring these different shops, especially the silversmith artisans, which is a major specialty of the region and the gaucho culture.
If you want to dive deeper into a traditional experience, then look into a hotel in town.
You can also look into staying in an estancia (a farm that has been converted into accommodations). These are typically all-inclusive experiences with very few rooms.
Boliche de Bessonart Bar
This lively bar is a place frequented by locals and gauchos. This is one of the most popular bars in the town and the energy is often palpable. The bar and ambiance can transport you to another time. It feels traditional and brings the character and charm you may be searching for in a small Argentine town. If you want to try a local drink, ask for a fernet y coca which is a favorite throughout Argentina,
El Día de la Tradición
Every November 10, gauchos (Argentine cowboys) come to San Antonio de Areco to celebrate the gaucho lifestyle. It is a three day celebration with asados (large barbecues), traditional music, animal fairs, artisanal fairs, and rodeos. Visitors are always welcome to experience the lifestyle of these cowboys and participate in the asados.
Locals spend the whole day cooking up the asado that can be purchased and enjoyed during the evening celebration. In the evening, you can enjoy traditional music and take part in local customs. If your trip to San Antonio de Areco times up with this celebration, it will be an unforgettable way to participate in this special gaucho culture.