San Antonio de Areco
San Antonio de Areco is a town located on the Areco River, 113 km (70 mi) northwest of Buenos Aires. Founded in 1730, the town is proud of its gaucho tradition, and visitors can explore the surrounding villages and ranches.
Get in
By bus
Pullman and Chevallier run buses from the Retiro Bus Terminal in Buenos Aires between 6.05am and 12.45am, with approximately 18 daily departures. The journey costs between Ar$29 and Ar$37 and takes about two hours. There are also several daily departures from Rosario, costing Ar$60 and taking about four hours.
By car
San Antonio de Areco is accessible by car from Buenos Aires along National Route 8.
Get around
The city centre is compact and can be easily covered on foot, but there are also several radio taxi companies available for hire if one wishes to explore the nearby ranches.
Alternatively, the tourist office at the junction of Arellano and Zebroni on the north side of town has four free bicycles available for hire between 8.15am and 6.45pm.
See
- Museo Molina Campos de Areco, Moreno 279, at junction with Alem, ☏ (54 2326) 456425. Fridays to Sundays, 10.00am to 8.00pm in summer (21 Sep to 25 May); 10.00am to 6.00pm in winter (26 May to 20 Sep). Museum celebrating the life of folk and humorist Argentine artist Florencio Molina Campos (1891-1959). The exhibition includes paintings, advertisement posters and personal artefacts. Every hour on the half-hour between 10.30am and 5.30pm, life-sized sculptures recreate episodes from the life of Don Tiléforo, a fictional character from Campos' stories. Ar$20 adults; Ar$10 students with ID and seniors above 65; Free for children under 12.
Do
- Carriage tours, Ricardo Güiraldes, at junction with Nogueira, ☏ (54 2326) 454780; mobile phone (54 2326) 15404681. Stage horse carriage tours of the city centre are available, but previous reservations are usually required. Ar$40 per person.
- Rowing, Puente Viejo, at junction of Moreno and the Areco River, ☏ (54 11) 1561858877. Flexible hours, by appointment. Rowing supervised by bilingual instructors, available for both individuals or groups. Ar$40 per person.
- Bicycle tours with Hostel Gaucho, Zebroni 308, at junction with Belgrano, ☏ (54 2326) 453625. Cycling tours are available with Hostel Gaucho, both of the city centre (90 min) and of the surroundin countryside (three hours). The maximum number of people in each group is restricted to 6.
- Bamba Chica, Paraje El Tropezón, National Route 8, ☏ (54 2326) 455367; (54 11) 1558937412. Traditional gaucho fair with lunch, tea, horse rides, Indian horse taming demonstrations, music and dancing. Ar$160 adults; Ar$85 children.
Buy
Eat
- Corazonada (Cocina Pura), Casco Historico (San Antonio de Areco). 11 to 23. Chef Paula Mendez Carreras deliver cooking classes and provide personalized gourmet services in her private kitchen/restaurant located in the heart of San Antonio de Areco. Relaxed atmosphere, green, quiet and genuine.Reservations: info@cocinapura.com , www.cocinapura.com
Drink
Sleep
- Posada de la Plaza, Alvear 480, ☏ 2326-452955. A historic building made into a hotel. 350.
Cope
The tourist office at the junction of Arellano and Zebroni on the north side of town is open Mondays to Fridays 8.00am to 7.00pm, and on weekends and holidays 8.00am to 8.00pm. It can be reached at (54 2326) 453165 or direcciondeturismo@areconet.com.ar.[1]
Go next
Pullman and Chevallier run buses to the Retiro Bus Terminal in Buenos Aires between 5.30am and 11.15pm, with approximately 18 daily departures. The journey costs Ar$26 and takes about two hours. There are also several daily departures to Rosario (including at 2.20pm, 6.10pm and 8.50pm), costing Ar$60 and taking about four hours.