| Author | Message | ||
     Sandra Unregistered guest |
I'd like to visit a ranch while in Buenos Aires January 7-11. If you can recommend one that is close that 2 people can visit for 1-2 days, I'd appreciate it. Ideally, we'd travel from Uruguay on 1/7 to the Ranch and spend 1.5 days on the ranch. | ||
| Roberto (Admin) Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 4 Registered: 12-2004 |
Sandra, there is a great ranch in the heart of San Antonio de Areco, Gaucho land. It is not that far and well worth the trip. San Antonio de Areco is about 120 km from Buenos Aires, I'd say a two hour trip. If you do not know anything about this place, it might be the most important piece of history when it comes to 'gauchos'. Anyway, we can get you a day and a half for about $120 (USD) per person. This means, picking you up at your place of stay early in the morning, sleeping at the ranch and bringing you back to your accomodation late in the afternoon next day. This price includes all meals. In addition, the cost of the trip is about $75 (USD) per person, roundtrip, in a private car. So you are looking to be spending about $195 per person. If you feel this is within your price range email Erna at erna@speedy.com.ar for bookings or more information... or keep questions coming  | ||
| aaron badenhop Unregistered guest |
I have a group of 13 people interested in staying for 4 or 5 (in July) days on a ranch near Buenos Aires. If you can contact me with suggestions, that would be great. | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 23 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hello Aaron and welcome to our forum. Yes, I can provide you with many suggestions and pricing. Bear in mind that July is our winter and ranch stays will be somewhat colder than staying at a hotel in the city. Anyway, I will email you privately with a few ideas just to get the ball rolling. | ||
| Pamela Unregistered guest |
We would like to find a ranch which offers combination of polo (for an experienced player) and activities for non-polo players (i.e. horseback riding; tennis; swimming; hiking, etc.) does not necessarily have to be near Buenos Aires. Thanks. | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 39 Registered: 12-2004 |
Dear Pamela, I think your best bet will be to contact Estani at El Polo Ranch. There is some information on our website at polo in Argentina and polo season in Buenos Aires. I think Estani is the right person and will offer you the best deal, including non-polo activities. He can be reached at estani@elrincondelpolo.com. If this is not what you are looking for contact us again for a few other alternatives. | ||
| laurenhirshfield Unregistered guest |
Hello- My boyfriend and I are in the process of planning a trip to Argentina this coming winter (their summer). Ideally, we'd like to spend 3 or 4 days in buenos aires, and then explore a ranch (either just outside BA or in Patagonia or Bariloche or mendoza) for 4 more days. Any ranch recommendations either driving distance from BA or flying somewhere else would be much appreciated! thanks so much! Lauren | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 95 Registered: 12-2004 |
Dear Lauren, choosing your ranch experience will depend a lot on what your goal is. Not all ranches *have been created equal* in Argentina. The southern ones can be very large and very active in that they raise cattle and sheep. To the west, ranches and their owners may be more hospitable than in other locations and grow more alternative crops. My own personal opinion is that nothing compares to ranches in San Antonio de Areco in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, about 120 km distance. This location has been and still is the quintessence of what Gaucho life represented in our history. Here, there are many ranches to choose from, including my favorite one -La Bamba-. Most ranches located in San Antonio de Areco are full of history dating back to the early 1800's. La Bamba itself was built around 1830. You can definitely spend many days here checking out other ranches, visiting the small town and going back in time to learn more about our roots. | ||
| Aimee Unregistered guest |
I am going to be flying into Argentina on Sept 25th (leaving Oct 2) and would like some suggestions on things to do/places to stay in and out of buenos aires. We would like to visit a ranch for about 2 days and I would like to see a polo match, if possible. We'd also like to see about finding an apartment in BA for the days when we're not on the ranch. Can you suggest any places to find apartments/homes for rent? | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 114 Registered: 12-2004 |
Aimee, you can consult with PoloRanch but I am pretty sure you may only be able to see matches for the Tortugas Open as per the schedule below: * The San Jorge Open will be played from Aug. 30th - Sept. 11th. * The Jockey Club Open will be played from Sept. 13th - Sept. 25th. * The Tortugas Open will be played from Sept. 27th and Oct. 15th. We do not specialize in the rental market although we have helped many customers in the past. Having said this, I believe there are other services you can contact for a more professional orientation. Check with Aparmentsba.com, Bytargentina.com or Apartmentsrental.com.ar. Some of our passengers have contracted their services in the past although we haven't had any personal experiences. The first one is owned by Mr. Koh who sometimes posts in this forum under the nick 'Saint'. As for ranches, look into the San Antonio de Areco area where there are several interesting choices. This is our favorite spot for ranch stays and tours because it has the additional feature of being enmeshed in Argentina's past and gauchos' life and history. We recently heard good things about Estancia "Los dos Hermanos", in Zarate. This ranch seems to have specialized in horse rides and it is operated by the owners themselves. You can find more information at www.estancialosdoshermanos.com/index2.html. | ||
| Wanda Dindore Unregistered guest |
I will be in Buenos Aires from March 20 thru April 17 of 2006. I will have at least two weeks of free time and I want to spend it on a working ranch as a participant guest. I went to "Feista Gaucho" on a one day tour in November 2005. I was very much impressed and want to spend more time actually experiencing your ranch life. I could not find out the name of this ranch or location but know it was just a couple of hours away from BA. This is the one I would prefer but I am open to others. Could you please send me information and cost so I can finish my plans for this trip? For your information I have a backgound in farming and ranching. Thank you so much. Sincerely, Wanda Dindore | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 222 Registered: 12-2004 |
Wanda, there are about 1000 ranches just hours from the city... Any information you can give us will help locate it. Still, your best bet to "work on a ranch" as a guest will be to contact the ladies at comarcas and ask them. They may know more how to handle this request since we really have no experience on this. I will email you their contact information at your yahoo email. | ||
| Santiago Bengolea New member Username: Santiagov Post Number: 10 Registered: 8-2005 |
I can personally recommend 3 ranches of different profiles a) Los dos Hermanos : Horseback riding oriented and BBQ. Say Hi to Pancho and Ana from Me. b) In Areco . La Bamba . Beautifull estancia where Patricia Foster the manager is key. c) Villa María in Marcos Paz , a very elegant estancia with a Tudor house building and a park desined by Thays ( lake included) . This estancia was owned by some relatives and have there been many times . | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 226 Registered: 12-2004 |
We love 'La Bamba' | ||
| Santiago Bengolea New member Username: Santiagov Post Number: 12 Registered: 8-2005 |
Roberto : know the origin of the name ? It was owned by an Irish who named the estancia "La Bahamba" .. really don´t remeber the Irish meaning...guess it was related to the tree "corridor" the estancia has.. Isabel Aldao is very nice too. They are doing a good job there. I visited the estancia a month ago and in our table was a CEO for Harley Davison ! Lots of fun with his stories "on the road" | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 228 Registered: 12-2004 |
Must have been a hells' angel? I mean the harley guy not Isabel. Interesting about the origin of the name... | ||
| rac717 New member Username: Rac717 Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2005 |
I have to add, I just got back from 2 weeks in BA. I got a chance to spend a day in San Antonio de Areco & it's absolutely wonderful. I would highly recommend the area. | ||
| david sinclair Unregistered guest |
Dear Roberto, i am a photographer fromm the uk working on a new book about the horsemen of the world and falconery. I am arriving in ba 3o/12 for a month and need to find two ranches that would be happy to accommadate me ..working if requied in order to get the images i need. My stay can be extended as 2 months was allowed in Arabia but has been delayed. So... i m here at short notice. I really need to capture the working relationship of man and horse. Perhaps you may know of a cultural or ranching organisation that can help me at such short notice? Any help will be appriciated... from anyone!!With thanks David | ||
| rac717 New member Username: Rac717 Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2005 |
David - what type of riding are you looking for? Traditional gauchos working cattle? Hunters/Jumpers? Polo? I have some friends that might be able to be of assistance..... | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 252 Registered: 12-2004 |
David, I wish we could help but those dates are tricky. You can check with the girls at Comarcas.com.ar. They may be in closer contact with ranch owners than us. Your inquiry may require a different approach also. rac717 seems to have some answers too... I am sorry. | ||
| Administrator Unregistered guest |
Test | ||
| Melissa Daley New member Username: Mrd Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2006 |
I will be travelling to Buenos Aires in September with my husband and 3-year old daughter. As part of the trip, we would like to "base" ourselves on a working estancia for about a week. For us, some important features would be: driving distance to BA (the 12-hour flight is quite enough travel time for the 3-year old!), a range of animal activities my daughter could participate in (I'm thinking things like feeding chickens, petting sheep, trying to milk a cow although I understand Argentina cattle are more meat focused than dairy, etc.), and additional activites either on the estancia or nearby (like hiking, crafts, wineries, etc.) in case horse-back riding is not the "hit" I expect it to be. I would also prefer a smaller establishment for a more "authentic" feel - do not want to travel all that way only to find myself at a New York style "dude ranch"! From the little that I know, it looks like San Antonio de Areco could be a good area for us but the only estancias I've been able to locate there are La Bamba and El Ombu. Should I restrict myslef to choosing between those two or are there others we should consider? Thanks for any help you can provide! Melissa | ||
| Juan Fontenla New member Username: Callmejuan Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2006 |
Hi Melissa, according with your directions I suggest www.campoelpensamiento.com.ar the website is in spanish but you can contact the manager Mrs. Silvia Moore in english via email: smoore@fibertel.com.ar for any questions or arrangements. Have a nice trip! | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 521 Registered: 12-2004 |
Off the beaten path, also look into 'Chascomus' with 40,000 people. It is an area located 120 km (70 miles approx.) from the city. Many different things to do in their small downtown and several nice ranches nearby. For sure, only l-o-c-a-l-s! In San Antonio, these days, you hear a *lot* of english if that tells you something. Research estancias such as "La Fe" and we will be happy to put you in contact with the owners.  | ||
| Tom Woodson New member Username: Diverdown48 Post Number: 6 Registered: 6-2006 |
Hello all The ranches in Argentina are called Estancias. I hope I spelled that correctly. We have a beautiful one for you to see. I will be arrainging day trips soon so put me on your calander por favor. A real live gaucho and his family. Beautiful horses and cattle. A range land by the sea. It is a beautiful place. I will be there in a week or so. Hasta Luego Tom  | ||
| Melissa Daley New member Username: Mrd Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2006 |
Excellent suggestion, Roberto! I'm finding tons of estancias in the Chascomus area that look like they would fit our needs/wants and I have a much better feeling about Chascomus than I did about Antonio de Areco. I need to do a bit more digging before I even know what else to ask (as a librarian, it is in my nature to do a lot of research!) but I'm sure I'll have some more questions. Just wanted to thank you first before I really start picking your brain! Have to say, in browsing through some of these threads, you really seem to understand what people are asking and it is wonderful to see such thoughtful, considered responses. Thank you! Melissa | ||
| Melissa Daley New member Username: Mrd Post Number: 3 Registered: 6-2006 |
Well, I'm back at planning our vacation and I think I've actually narrowed my estancia search down to 3. Have any of you been to 2 or more on my list? Care to compare/contrast your impressions? The three are: La Horqueta, La Fe, and Los Viboras. I'm having such a hard time making up my mind! Thanks, Melissa | ||
| michael foley New member Username: Mike Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2006 |
Looking for a cheap ranch to visit for about 2 or 3 nights. The real gaucho experience is what we are after and comfort is not that important. In the Buenos Aires area or north of it would be preferred but all suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks | ||
| Ricardo New member Username: Gromit Post Number: 7 Registered: 12-2007 |
Hello, We would like to take a road trip down to Chascomus area from BA. Would it be advisable to rent a car on the out skirts of BA so to limit drive time in the city? We are going to be looking for real estate ( an estancia) so feel we need our own transportation to explore. Any suggestions/recomendations/precautions? We will need over night accomodations and are taveling with three year old. | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 1473 Registered: 12-2004 |
Ricardo, chances are if you rent in the "retiro-constitucion" area, say along the 9 de Julio ave. or close, you will be almost in route as you will have to head towards the highway that connects Buenos Aires - La Plata. Briefly, you drive through that highway until it joins highway #2 (Alpargatas), and then straight towards Chascomús. There should be two tolls along the way and 1 more when you reach Samborombón. Precautions? Yes. Signs are very small and watch for tailgating (not as rude behaviour as it may be in the US). Must pay attention at all times! Chascomus has many down-to-earth small cabins type of lodging and is a favorite destination for fishing aficionados. I will see if I can get any recommendations later... | ||
| Melody Gandy New member Username: Mgandy Post Number: 1 Registered: 9-2008 |
My father and I will be in BA from 1st - 8th December. We are hoping to spend a couple of days on a polo ranch and the rest of the time watching polo that is being played in the lead up to the final of the Argentine open and then the final itself which I believe is on the 6th December? Can you please suggest a suitable ranch (not too expensive) and also advise how we go about purchasing tickets for the polo or if it is possible to do a package so that we are staying at a ranch AND going to watch the polo matches? Many thanks | ||
| J Tomanchek New member Username: Thomashawk Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2008 |
We are traveling to Buenos Aires in November and would like to have a dia del campo at a ranch near BA. We would like to be picked up at our hotel in the AM and return in the PM. What recommendations can you make for this activity? | ||
| Anna Burns New member Username: Annagoestravelling Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2009 |
Hi there, Me and my housemate are heading to S.America in June (just in time for winter...lovely!). We're both interested in spending some time on a ranch (2/3 days in Mid July - if they're still open then?) to experience, as authentically as possible, what it's like. However, we've got a few limitations. 1) we won't have our own transport to get there 2) our Spanish is some-what limited (but steadily being worked on so hope to improve) and 3)as recent graduates, we're not working on a huge budget here! Ideally, i think we'd appreciate somewhere welcoming, with activities for the not-too-advanced horse riders, and finally if possible not too far off our route of heading up to Iguazu from BA. I know it's a lot of requirements to meet, bur any help/advice would be much appreciated - it's a once in a lifetime trip and hoping to get everything just right!! Thanks a lot |
