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If you’re looking to escape the big city for a bit, doing a gaucho tour is a fantastic option!
Gauchos are an important folk symbol in Argentinian culture, and booking a tour to an estancia (ranch) is a fantastic way to learn more about the Gaucho way of life. Gaucho tours often involve horseback riding, traditional dancing, and horse whispering demonstrations, so they’re a lot of fun – and they take you a world away from the urban landscape of Buenos Aires.
There are lots of different companies offering these tours, and choosing the right one can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we’ve made this list of the best gaucho tours available so that you can book the best experience possible!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE gaucho tour is this all-inclusive full-day experience! You will get to go on a horseback ride, have a traditional lunch, watch a show, learn about gaucho history, and witness some impressive horse tricks.
Check out the 900+ five-star reviews and book this tour here!
- Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
- The Best Gaucho Tours in Buenos Aires
- About Gauchos in Argentina
- Is a Gaucho tour in Buenos Aires worth it?
- Other Activities to do While You're in Buenos Aires
- Where to Stay in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Renting a Car in Argentina
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- AIRALO e-SIM Up To 15% Off With Code "DTRAVEL15"
- What’s an eSIM?
The Best Gaucho Tours in Buenos Aires
1. Gaucho Ranch Tour in San Antonio de Areco
This is the gaucho tour that we did from Buenos Aires, and we loved it! We visited an absolutely beautiful ranch in San Antonio de Areco, which was a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires.
Our guide gave us a quick but very informative tour of San Antonio de Areco and shared lots of fun historical facts with us. Then, when we arrived at the ranch, we were greeted with some warm empanadas and a complimentary beer or wine.
After our drinks and empanadas, we had a quick tour of the estancia before saddling up for a 20-minute horseback ride. You can also choose a sulky cart ride instead if you’re nervous about riding or are traveling with young children. Afterward, we enjoyed a delicious asado (BBQ) lunch and then watched folk dancing and horse whispering.
What really made this tour stand out, though, was our guide, Marcelo. He was so thoughtful and went the extra mile to make sure everyone had a great day.
This highly-rated tour (check out all of the 5-star reviews here) costs $179 USD per person for the premium group experience, which is what we did. It costs only a bit more than the classic option and visits a fancier ranch. Although if you want a private experience, it only costs $245 USD per person. You’ll take off from Buenos Aires around 8:30 am, and the whole day lasts for about 9 hours, including travel time to and from the ranch. In my opinion, it was worth every penny!
Check availability and book this tour online here!
2. Small-Group Gaucho Day at a Farm in San Antonio de Areco
This small-group gaucho tour makes an excellent day trip from Buenos Aires and shows you a very different side to life in Argentina.
You’ll be picked up at around 8:30 am to visit the town of San Antonio de Areco for a quick walking tour. This includes a stop at a popular local dessert spot where gauchos used to drink and a small boutique where they still buy their clothes to this day.
Once you get to the farm, you’ll enjoy welcome drinks and snacks before embarking on a short horseback tour. The guides make you feel super safe, and the horses are very well trained, so there’s no need to be nervous, even if you’re a complete beginner!
At lunchtime, you’ll enjoy an asado with more food than you can imagine. The meat is served bit by bit, so don’t overload your plate all at once because the waiters keep coming around and giving you more food. During dessert, which is either flan or a refreshing popsicle, you’ll watch traditional gaucho dancing, followed by music and a horse whispering demonstration. During the dancing, you’ll also have the opportunity to get up and join in, if you like.
It’s a great way to get out of the city and experience a totally different kind of atmosphere in the countryside – without having to fly to a different part of Argentina!
Check out the reviews and book this traditional small-group tour in advance here!
3. Private Estancia and Guacho Tour
This private gaucho tour allows you to dive even deeper into Argentina’s past, so it’s a fantastic option for history lovers. Since it’s a private experience with just your group, you’ll enjoy a more in-depth tour of the town center of San Antonio de Areco. You’ll also visit a few extra places that aren’t included in the group tour.
One of these places is the Ricardo Güiraldes Museum, where you can learn more about the life of the writer who really put the town on the map. Another is La Olla de Cobre chocolate workshop, where you can find some of the best chocolates around.
After your private tour of San Antonio de Areco, you’ll head to a nearby estancia for a horseback tour and an asado lunch. Since you’ll have a guide for just your group, you’ll be able to ask lots of questions about life on the farm and its history. There’s also music, dancing, and horse-whispering to enjoy before you head back to Buenos Aires. It’s such a fun-filled day and provides a convenient window into Argentine culture, especially if you only have a couple of days in Buenos Aires.
This private experience covers all the food, transport, and activities we mentioned. I think this is a great option if you’re traveling in a larger group (up to 12 people) or just want to uncover more of the Gaucho history and culture than you would on a shared tour.
Reserve your private tour in advance here!
4. Estancia Gaucho Day at El Ombu de Areco
If you want a fun day trip with music, dancing, delicious food, and plenty of Malbec, then this day trip to El Ombu de Areco Ranch is sure to be a hit!
El Ombu de Areco Ranch is just beautiful, and the grounds cover 400 hectares (988 acres). You’ll get to have a quick look inside the impressive main house, as well as explore the farm by horseback or horse and cart, depending on your preference. You’ll also learn about the history of the gaucho figure and why gauchos are such an important part of Argentine culture.
You’ll also enjoy an al fresco barbecue lunch at the estancia, as well as watching a gaucho cultural show that includes folk songs, traditional dancing, and horse wrangling. And while you enjoy all of this, you’ll be able to sip on as much Argentine Malbec as you please – what could be better?
This tour is also great for families, as kids love the horse riding tour and all of the music and dancing. It’s an awesome way to discover what life is like in rural Argentina and enjoy some delicious food and drink while you’re at it. I also love that there are some vegetarian options available on this tour, so you can still enjoy the barbecue even if you don’t eat meat!
The premium tour costs $168 USD per person and includes all the food, drinks, and transport. You’ll be picked up between 8:30 am and 9 am in Buenos Aires and return to your hotel at around 6 pm. It’s quite a long day, but you can nap in the comfortable air-conditioned van on the way there and back – and all the Malbec will definitely help you to nod off!
Check availability and book this full-day tour online here!
Related Read: Need help planning the rest of your time in Buenos Aires? Our 3-day Buenos Aires itinerary covers all the must-dos!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
About Gauchos in Argentina
So the first thing you’re probably wondering is: what is a Gaucho? Well, a Gaucho is a skilled horseman, known for his brave and wild nature – a bit like a cowboy!
Gauchos are revered in Argentinian folklore and nowadays are seen as quite romantic, but they’re also real people. In fact, our guide informed us that there are still around 50,000 Gauchos living and working in Argentina today.
Historically, Gauchos were actually mestizos, which means that they were of mixed heritage from both Indigenous South Americans and Spanish colonists. Their dual parentage meant that they occupied an unusual place in society, and so they began working as horsemen on the ranches, and the term “Gaucho” was born!
During Argentina’s fight for independence from Spain, the Gauchos played a key role in the conflict and acted as guides and spies, earning a reputation for bravery. Then, after the war, most Gauchos settled in the Pampas region of Argentina.
Another cool thing about the Gauchos is that they invented the asado (aka barbecuing meat over an open flame), which is now an iconic part of Argentine cuisine.
Is a Gaucho tour in Buenos Aires worth it?
Yes, absolutely. It was a really memorable day out and one of the best tours I have done in Buenos Aires. It’s got a little bit of everything: adventure, history, culture, scenery, food, and wine. What’s not to love? I think this is a must-do while you’re in the city.
Learn more about our favorite Gaucho tour and reserve your spot here!
Related Read: Looking for more ways to fill your time in Buenos Aires? Check out our top ten favorite activities here, or check out some of the suggestions below!
Other Activities to do While You’re in Buenos Aires
Spending the day on a gaucho tour is awesome, but there are also plenty of other things you can do in Buenos Aires. Whether you have one day in Buenos Aires or several weeks, you’ll have no issues filling that itinerary. So if you’re looking for even more fun activities, check out some of my favorites below!
- See a tango show – Since Buenos Aires is the tango’s birthplace, you just know the tango shows in Buenos Aires are next level. But seriously, we were blown away by the dancers and the incredible meal as part of this House of Tango Show.
- Go wine tasting – Try some of Argentina’s famous vino on this wine tasting tour in Buenos Aires. As wine lovers, we loved the chance to learn about each unique blend and how Argentina has become a world-renowned wine-producing country! Plus, who doesn’t love a generous wine tasting?
- Cruise on the Tigre Delta – Escape the city and enjoy Buenos Aires’ natural side on this river cruise. We loved seeing the outdoor beauty and also stopped at quaint, historic towns. It felt way different than the bustling city, and we learned so much with our local guide.
- Try an interactive dining experience – Food is incredible in Buenos Aires, and The Argentine Experience takes it to the next level. When you book this immersive dining experience, you get to make (and eat) your own empanadas, taste world-renowned wine and steak, and mingle with other guests. It’s a night to remember and the perfect way to sample all the local treats!
- Visit the River Plate Museum – The River Plate Museum is one of the biggest sports museums in the world, so it’s a must for any soccer fan. River Plate is one of the most successful soccer clubs in Argentina, and this museum, located in Monumental Stadium, covers the club’s entire history. You can get skip-the-line entry with this museum and stadium combo tour.
Where to Stay in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Now that you know the best things to do in Buenos Aires, you’ll want to find the right hotel to stay at! You don’t need to break the bank to stay here, but if you are searching for a luxurious getaway, you can find that too. Here are my top picks for various price ranges.
Hilton Buenos Aires – $$$
You can’t beat the location with the riverside Hilton Buenos Aires. You’ll be within walking distance to downtown as well as the Playa Reserva Ecológica Buenos Aires. It’s also where you’ll board the boat on the Tigre Delta Cruise! There’s a rooftop pool to relax in or sit down for a meal or drink at the hotel’s restaurant or bar.
The service is exceptional, and the rooms are spacious. It’s a more expensive place to stay at $250-$350 USD per night, but worth it if you’re looking for a five-star experience. So for the ultimate luxury in Buenos Aires, book your stay at the Hilton online here.
Grand Brizo Buenos Aires – $$
If you’re after a stylish mid‑range stay in the heart of Buenos Aires, Grand Brizo Buenos Aires hits the sweet spot. Located on Calle Cerrito—just a few blocks from the Obelisco and Teatro Colón—you’re within walking distance of the city’s best food, culture, and nightlife. The rooms are clean and modern, many with mini‑fridges and city views, and the service is always praised. Big bonuses include a killer rooftop pool, full gym, spa & wellness centre, and a lovely buffet breakfast.
At around $150 – $250 USD per night, it’s the kind of hotel that gives you comfort and convenience without blowing your budget. Check availability and reserve your stay here!
Broadway Hotel & Suites – $
Located in the heart of Buenos Aires, the Broadway Hotel & Suites offers really spacious rooms at a great price. The swimming pool on the roof has amazing panoramic city views and a sun deck to soak up some rays. The rooms feature large windows, minimalistic art deco-type décor, and bathrooms with marble fittings.
You’ll also have plenty of choices for shopping and restaurants nearby. Plus, a junior suite here can be under $70 USD! To snag this awesome deal, I highly recommend you check availability and book online in advance.
Related Read: For a detailed breakdown of the best areas and hotels in Buenos Aires, check out our Where to Stay guide here!
Renting a Car in Argentina
We enjoyed a rental car for our second trip to Argentina when we traveled in Patagonia – and wow, what a way to travel! But the best part was that we only paid $40 USD per day for a 5-person sedan!
But how? Well, if you’re renting a car in Argentina, the cheapest company is Discover Cars. We often get questions from readers asking us if the website is fake because it seems too cheap! It’s a great website and the one we used for our rental.
If you do want to compare prices (and you should), do a quick search on Airport Car Rentals too. They’re another big competitor, and each company often has its own deals to offer!
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Thanks for reading!
Taking a Gaucho tour from Buenos Aires gets you out of the busy city and allows you to see another side of Argentina’s culture. I had such a great time on my tour and would absolutely go again. Hopefully, this blog has helped you find the best gaucho tour!
Of course, visiting a ranch and learning about Gaucho culture is just one of the many things you should do while in Buenos Aires. To help you plan your visit, check out our blog about Argentina here. We’ve also written about many other destinations in South America. Get started with one of the posts linked below:
20 BEST Things to do in Mendoza, Argentina
33 BEST Places to Visit in South America
Ultimate Guide to Visiting Puerto Madryn, Argentina +10 BEST Things to do