San Antonio de Areco & El Ombu Ranch Day Trip

FromARS 320
11 hours
Buenos Aires, Argentina

About this activity

Experience the rich culture and traditions of Argentina on a full-day trip to San Antonio de Areco and El Ombu Ranch, featuring guided tours and a traditional barbecue lunch.

Highlights

  • Explore historic San Antonio de Areco
  • Visit the renowned El Ombu Ranch
  • Experience traditional Argentine gaucho culture
  • Enjoy a delicious asado (barbecue) lunch
  • Discover local artisan shops and museums

Full description

Immerse yourself in Argentina's rich cultural heritage with a full-day excursion to San Antonio de Areco and El Ombu Ranch. Begin your journey with comfortable round-trip transportation from Buenos Aires to the charming town of San Antonio de Areco, known for its colonial architecture and vibrant gaucho traditions. Explore the town's historic streets, visit local artisan shops, and learn about its history through a guided tour. Next, head to El Ombu Ranch, a traditional estancia where you'll experience the authentic lifestyle of the Argentine gaucho. Enjoy a hearty asado (barbecue) lunch, featuring a variety of meats cooked over an open fire, accompanied by local wines and traditional dishes. After lunch, participate in activities such as horseback riding, folk music performances, and demonstrations of traditional skills. This day trip offers a unique opportunity to connect with Argentina's rural culture and traditions, making it a memorable addition to your travel itinerary.

Included / Excluded

  • Round-trip transportation from Buenos Aires
  • Guided tour of San Antonio de Areco
  • Traditional Argentine barbecue lunch at El Ombu Ranch
  • Personal expenses and gratuities

Itinerary

1

09:30 am: We will meet at the Monument of the Libertador José de San Martín (Plaza San Martín) to start the full-day excursion through the gaucho area of Argentina.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

10:00 am: Depart from Buenos Aires to San Antonio de Areco by bus and enjoy a pleasant ride of 2 hours to the north where we will go through farms and rangelands.

Duration: 2 hoursAdmission: YES
3

12:00 pm: We will arrive at the town and depart for Estancia El Ombú.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
4

At Estancia El Ombú we will be welcomed with a reception of typical Argentine empanadas. In addition, local gauchos will do a demonstration of their skills such a race ring, a rodeo action and grazing skills.After seeing this kind of gauchos activities, we will have lunch. 01:00 pm: At lunch, we enjoy the ``Fiesta Gaucha`` with beautiful and folk dance show. We`ll have a typical gaucho asado (argentinian barbecue) lunch with sausage pork, chicken, ribs and more. 02:30 pm: After having lunch we will start with the multiple activities that Estancia el Ombú offers. In the serene pampas we can ride a horse or a sulky. To live a more rural experience we will take walks through the ranch. We will also have a beautiful and large pool, ping pong tables, soccer, volleyball and bicycle tours.

Duration: 5 hoursAdmission: YES
5

05:00 pm We will leave the ranch towards the town and we will make a tour of it where we will visit the Plaza Ruiz de Arellano de Areco, which receives its name from the rancher who founded the town in 1728 and we will get to know the immense history that behind this beautiful town.

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
6

06:30 pm: From the bus terminal of San Antonio de Areco we will departure for Buenos Aires by bus.

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
7

9:00 pm: The bus will finish its route at the bus terminal in Retiro

Duration: 2 hoursAdmission: YES

Meeting point

Start Location

Unknown location

Important information

Know before you book

  • The tour operates in Spanish; English-speaking guides may be available upon request.
  • Vegetarian or dietary restrictions can be accommodated with prior notice.
  • Children under 6 years old may require a booster seat; please inform the operator in advance.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for walking and outdoor activities.
  • Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
  • Consider bringing a camera to capture the picturesque landscapes and cultural experiences.

Cancellation policy

0

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Traveler reviews

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A Gaucho Day experience!

Debora, the tour guide, was great! Diego, the driver, was a safe driver. The Gaucho show was amazing! Brian's Gaucho performance with the horse at the end of the show was a great finale.

floraw298Mar 8, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Paid but not received

T was off! Evening called off Before that different gaucho tour but was really different, but no money back

alfons_oFeb 3, 2026VIATOR

Authentic Argentinian Ranch Experience with gauchos

Authentic Argentinian ranch experience with real gauchos and a working ranch. The beef empanada snacks before our horse ride were the most amazing empanadas I’ve had! Save plenty of room because the lunch is an outstanding feast with many varieties of meat prepared many ways yielding such a superb meal! The traditional dance demonstration was heartfelt and beautiful and the horse whisperer was unique. The setting is peaceful and stunning. Highly recommended!

maycS4646RIJan 12, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Old town and old ranch...

The town was amazing with its old houses. There were many craftsmen and interesting to see their workshops and their work. After the town it became El Ombu Ranch, with mandatory horseback riding and a fantastic barbecue dinner...after dinner performance by local artists.

267lennartjApr 7, 2025TRIPADVISOR