Wondering where to stay in San Antonio de Areco, Argentina? This gaucho town boasts lots of estancias, guesthouses and unique stays!
San Antonio de Areco is a sleepy town in the pampas and it’s a popular weekend destination from Buenos Aires. A big part of the experience is immersing yourself in gaucho culture and rural living and that involves visiting or staying at an estancia!
Estancias are traditional ranches or farms primarily used for rearing cattle and growing crops and you can find them all over Argentina.
The estancias in San Antonio de Areco range from high-end properties that offer full room and board plus numerous activities to smaller estancias closer to town at a more accessible price range.
Accommodations are quite varied; aside from estancias, you can also find cute guesthouses set in colonial homes and unique stays featuring converted train wagons.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the best places to stay in San Antonio de Areco. You’ll find something for all tastes and all budgets, and one thing is for sure, all of these properties capture the country spirit of the pampas!
Where to Stay in San Antonio de Areco
Estancias in San Antonio de Areco
There are so many estancias across Buenos Aires Province and many of them are located in and around the town of San Antonio de Areco! These range from luxury estancias to smaller family-run establishments with a more rugged feel. Here’s a selection of places for you to consider:
1. Estancia La Cinacina
We were pretty set on staying at an estancia since that is part of the experience of coming to the self-proclaimed gaucho capital. During my search, I stumbled upon Estancia La Cinacina which dates back to 1870.
The beauty of this estancia is that it is located in the west end of town, yet it’s only 6 blocks away from the main square, Plaza Ruiz De Arellano. Almost all of the other estancias in San Antonio de Areco are located on the outskirts of town and require a car, however, this property allowed us to explore on foot for the length of our stay.
Breakfast at the estancia was abundant and we really enjoyed it. It featured two baskets of baked goods (one filled with medialunas or sweet croissants), jams, cereal, yogurt, freshly squeezed orange juice, tea, coffee, and an abundance of fresh fruit like watermelon, plums, grapes and apples.
The estancia has a huge pool which is open during the summer months, and they also offer horseback riding and massages for an additional fee.
If you’re looking for an estancia experience close to town that won’t break the bank, this is a nice mid-range option. We found the staff to be friendly and attentive, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay!
Book your stay at Estancia La Cinacina.
Address: Bartolomé Mitre 9, San Antonio de Areco
2. Estancia La Madrugada
Estancia La Madrugada offers a rural experience with a touch of luxury. This is an exclusive property featuring only 3 suites.
The farmhouse has been renovated, however, it still manages to retain its traditional charm. The rooms lead out to a tranquil garden and an aguaribay grove.
The estancia offers a three-course menu and outdoor barbecues with ingredients sourced from the organic garden for a farm-to-table dining experience.
Activities at Estancia La Madrugada include horseback rides through the countryside, guitar sessions by the campfire, or exploring the gaucho town of San Antonio de Areco.
While this property is located on the outskirts of town, the estancia does offer free bikes for guests to ride into town. It’s a 5-kilometre ride or about 15 minutes – alternatively, you can ask them to book you a taxi into town.
Book your stay at Estancia La Madrugada.
Address: Camino del Yameo, San Antonio de Areco
3. Estancia El Ombú de Areco
El Ombú de Areco is a historic estancia set in the outskirts of San Antonio de Areco. It dates back to 1880 and it’s been in the hands of its current owners, the Boelcke Family, since 1934.
The estancia has 11 guest rooms, all of them refurbished, each with a private bathroom and vintage decor.
Guests can choose from double, triple and quadruple rooms, and they also offer interconnecting rooms in case you’re visiting with a large family.
Estancia El Ombú de Areco offers full board; which means breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner. There’s no reason to leave the estancia during your stay, unless of course, you want to explore the area.
As far as activities, guests can enjoy 2 horseback rides per day, plus they have swimming pools, bike rides and leisurely walks through the property.
This estancia also welcomes day visitors. You can read more about our experience visiting El Ombú de Areco for their estancia day and gaucho tour.
Book directly via Estancia El Ombú de Areco.
Address: Ruta 31 Cuartel VI, Villa Lía, San Antorio de Areco
4. Estancia La Bamba de Areco
La Bamba de Areco is an estancia hotel set in the pampas on the outskirts of San Antonio de Areco, and it is one of the oldest Argentinian colonial-style estancias in the area. It is also a Relais & Chateaux property.
The estancia dates back to 1830 when one of its post houses formed part of the Camino Real or Royal Road that connected Buenos Aires to the northern part of the country.
The estancia’s name La Bamba derives from the Celtic word Bahamba meaning ‘place of rest and hospitality’.
This was one of the first estancias to open its doors to visitors back in the 1980s and it was renovated in 2009 while still retaining its colonial essence.
This estancia hotel has 11 rooms and suites featuring dark wooden floors and antique furnishings, and offers views of the pampas, gardens and polo fields.
It’s one of those exclusive places, where again, there’s no need to leave the estancia during your stay because everything is provided.
Book directly via Estancia La Bamba de Areco.
Address: Ruta 31 Km 7.5, San Antonio de Areco
Guesthouses in San Antonio de Areco
5. Hotel Draghi
Hotel Draghi is a small centrally-located hotel just one block north of the central square, Plaza Ruiz de Arellano.
The hotel is run by the Draghi family, a respected name in town when it comes to the silversmithing tradition – you can read more about the Draghi Museum and Silversmith Workshop in our travel guide to San Antonio de Areco.
Hotel Draghi features 9 rooms with access to an internal garden with a swimming pool.
They serve a continental breakfast featuring bread, medialunas, deli meats, cheese, eggs, granola, jam, yogurt, juice and more.
The hotel connects to the Draghi Museum and Silversmith Workshop via a garden.
It has a great location in the heart of the old town which means easy access to cafes, restaurants, shops and other attractions.
Book your stay at Hotel Draghi.
Address: Matheu 380, San Antonio de Areco
6. Hotel Antigua Casona
Hotel Antigua Casona is a bed and breakfast set in a traditional colonial-style home. It features a covered gallery, an inner courtyard, and an outdoor swimming pool.
Guests can choose between double and triple rooms with private bathrooms, all decorated with antiques and vintage furnishings.
The property stands in the heart of the old town making it a great choice for travellers who want to explore San Antonio de Areco on foot. It offers easy access to restaurants, bars and local attractions.
Book your stay at Hotel Antigua Casona.
Address: Segundo Sombra 495, San Antonio de Areco
Unique Stays in San Antonio de Areco
7. Los Vagones de Areco
If you are looking for a unique stay in San Antonio de Areco, then you’ll want to check out Los Vagones de Areco. This is one of several glamping sites near Buenos Aires.
This property is located on the outskirts of town, so you will need a car to get there, but the reward is a one-of-a-kind hotel set in restored train wagons!
They are located 7 kilometres from the old Vagues Train Station (now a museum), and 14 kilometres from the town of San Antonio de Areco.
This train hotel is a place to disconnect from city life and enjoy rural living; it’s a place where you can enjoy long walks through the plains, play croquet, take a dip in the swimming pool (during the summer months!), and come together for a communal campfire at night.
Los Vagones de Areco has 7 rooms set in various antique trains each featuring en suite bathrooms, vintage furniture and decorations, and a small private deck.
Book your stay at Los Vagones de Areco.
Address: Vagues, San Antonio de Areco
GROUP TOURS – If you’d rather join a group tour to travel in Argentina, check out Gadventures.
CAR RENTAL – To explore Argentina beyond the cities, the best way to do so is by renting a car. Discover Cars offers rentals across the country.
BUS TICKETS – Bus travel is a great way to see Argentina. BusBud offers numerous routes.
TRAVEL INSURANCE – Don’t leave on your trip without booking travel insurance. You can get a quote on SafetyWing.
HOTELS – Booking.com offers accommodations to suit all budgets and travel styles.
TOURS – For a variety of tours and activities, have a look at Viator.