Any fair day is a good day to go to San Antonio de Areco to escape the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires.
The ideal time to visit though is during the gaucho festival, which celebrates the ‘Day of the Gaucho’ on the 10th of November.
Gauchos and their horses from all over Argentina come galloping through the cobbled streets to compete in cowboy competitions in a festival that resembles a grand country fair.
When to go:
San Antonio de Areco is lovely anytime of year, but it’s particularly nice in October, November and December.
Even in the heat of January in February it’s a little cooler than Buenos Aires and you can always head to the ‘el pileton,’ the lovely local pool to cool off.
Getting there:
-By car: Take the Panamerican Highway towards Pilar, then head 115 km down Route 8. Be sure to carry small bills; there are two tollbooths on the road.
-By public transport: Nueva Chevalier, with 17 buses daily, is probably the best option to arrive at San Antonio de Areco from Buenos Aires via public transport.
Reserve your ticket with a Visa or MasterCard by phone by calling 011-4000-5255 or just purchase them in Retiro, at stand number 67 or 73.
The trip takes about an hour-and-a-half and costs under US$ 10.
Getting Around:
San Antonio de Areco is easily explored by foot or bike but to reach some of the estancias or cool pueblos outside of town you may need to call a remis, or car service.
Here are some local ones:
—Remis Sol
Tel: (02326) 455-444
—Remis Express
Tel: (02326) 452-254
Money:
Many businesses in San Antonio de Areco only take cash, there are three easy-to-find ATMs in town around the central plaza.
It may not be the easiest town to change money on the black market — you will definitely have to ask around — and there is no Western Union here.
There is a Giros More office though to transfer money to yourself.
They work with the company Remitly. If you sign up with this link, you get a $20 signup bonus.
Aristóbulo del Valle 374
Tel: 011 4811-5532
Food and Drinks:
-Cafe de las Artes-$$ — A lovely eatery with the San Antonio de Areco’s best ice cream.
Bolivar 70
Tel: (02326) 456-398
-El Boliche de Bessonart-$$ — A hip eatery with sidewalk dining overlooking the central plaza
Corner of Segundo Sombra and Zapiola
-Puesto La Lechuza-$$/$$$ — A parilla with steaks, asado, picadas and empanadas.
Live music on Saturday nights
Victorino Althaparro 423
Cell: (02326) 15-40-5745
Hours: Weekends only, until late
Shopping:
San Antonio is famed for its leather and silverwares, shoppers will find plenty to take home just wandering around the town.
-La Bagula
Arellano 59 (Best value for traditional clothes for adults and children)
-Novecento
Arellano 152
(Inexpensive alpargatas, traditional canvas sandles, in a small arcade of artisan shops)
Attractions:
-Ricardo Güiraldes Museum
Camino R. Güiraldes.
Tel: 45-5839.
Hours: Wed-Mon, 11 am-5pm AR$ 4.-
Closed Tuesdays
-Usina Vieja Museum and Cultural Center
Alsina 66
Hours: Tue-Sun, 11am—5 pm, AR$ 1.50-
Book a Full Day tour at a Ranch in San Antonio De Areco!
Special Needs/Tourist Office:
San Antonio de Areco is recommended for disabled or special needs travelers who want a taste of Argentine cowboy life — the government has undertaken special initiatives to make the town accessible.
Patio del Moreno, a newer hotel right in the center of town is also fully accessible.
Visit the San Antonio de Areco tourist office downtown at the corner of Zerboni and Arellano for any special requests or call them at (2326) 453-165 any day of the week from 8 am until 7pm.