Day trips from BA
 

I'm coming down with some friends to BA this week and we're staying 6 nights and I figured atleast one day we should dedicate to a day trip out of the city. I was thinking a day trip out to an estancia or up the Tigre. Any ideas would be appreciated!
Cheers
Howie

Yes Tigre is worth visiting....beauty about it is it's easily accessible so not a lot of travelling to do.
The ferry over to Colonia is also worth doing...pick a good day though. As for visiting an estancia. I have no experience of any near Buenos Aires I just know one or two where I live which can't really be done in a day from the capital. The ones here are very old and the real deal....they are still working estancias and pretty rough and ready. I suspect the better known ones near BA will be more geared up for tourists.
Check this thread out about visiting an estancia.

Enjoy your hol. ^

I am also looking for couple of day trips. Looks like the places you have suggested are good.
How can i get there ? Do I need rental car while I am in BA ? which is the best option ?

I would recommend using a boat to get to Colonia or Tigre. To get the nice touristy feel for the two of them.

An estancia can usually be booked through a your hotel and they can arrange a van to pick you up and drive you out there. Some provide a guide alongside the driver who will take about the history of estancia's and gaucho culture during your ride.

You can check with your hotel which ones they would recommend.

I went on a day trip to this one: http://www.estanciaelombu.com/ombu.htm

They greeted me with empanada's and beer.

There were tons of other people there eating outside for the tour.

Gave tons of meat, a bit of salad, and lots of wine.

The Guacho's played music, then we went to the grounds to watch them put on a horse riding clinic and do their tricks.

Good experience and fine enough food/service.

I think it is a great day trip and really breaks from the hectic streets and diesel fumes of the City.

Watch the spelling... Gaucho's dont like to be called Guachos.... :eek:

I'm guessing Tigre is still most conveniently accessed by the picturesque rail ride - no need for cars and the like, particularly since I think 50% of Porteño males seem to be channeling the spirit of Juan Manuel Fangio, but without the driving skills. ;)

(Who's he? You gotta have a certain, er, maturity to know.)

Colonia del Sacramento can be a nice day - crowded on weekends, dead on Mondays for sure, and of course take your passport and be prepared for international formalities. Take the fast Buquebus boat. Only. And be sure to check the promotional rates on the website.

I want to take a ferry to Colonia this August from BA and was wondering if I should book in advance or that morning? Also if I arrive at Colonia at 10am is it ok to take a 430 pm boat back or is it better to leave there at 830 pm?

I only want the fast boat, and would prob prefer the earlier one if that is enough time, otherwise I would just deal with coming back late.

I haven't heard any need to book in advance especially in August.

There isn't a lot to see in Colonia so you'll have plenty of time to do the usual walking tour, have a bite to eat and still have time to relax by the water before before getting the 16.30 back. It'll be dark by 6.30ish anyway so no point in waiting for the 20.30.

We'd have gone stir crazy if we waited until that long (i.e,. until 20:30). It was on a late July bitterly cold and windy day. This included walking around the historic area, sat at a cafe, walked some more, hired a taxi to show us around the city on a little tour, back into the central area, sat and had a lovely lunch, and then walked back to the ferry terminal, in time for an early-ish check-in so we could choose some preferable seats.

Awesome 430 it will be! Assuming Buquebus is the company of choice for the ferry?

Yes it was a winters day when we went as well although calm and mild so not bad for hanging about. I would definitely try and pick a nice calm day though.

I haven't used the ferry....we flew to MVD for a few days and bussed it from there. Buquebus seems to be the preferred choice though.

If you have extra days, my recommendations are

1). A day trip to La Plata, there is a nice Cathedral and Museum

2). Lujan: visit the Basilica de Lujan and the local Zoo, small but you can touch/feed a tiger and a lion, you can even ride a camel/elephant.

I hear good things about San Antonio de Areco as well. Any one have any comments on it? Looks like an easy day trip, or even an overnight stay.

As far as the ferries to Colonia, any info on their safety records? Its about a 30 mile trip across a huge expanse of sea-- I know it's a different industry, but I recollect the images of that horrendous train accident a few months ago in BA.

It is a huge expanse of river, not sea.
The Buquebus - I've never heard of a major incident.

I was talking to a BA yachtsman the other week and he was telling me how shallow it is.....it's not deep at all.

Yes I've never heard of any mishaps and any time I've seen it it's been very calm. Fog is probably the biggest danger but with modern on board radar it shouldn't be a problem....and it's not really a busy stretch of water anyway.

Never heard of any safety issues with Buquebus.... should be as safe as flying.

Do not rent a car while in Buenos Aires! Take taxis. Renting a car in Buenos Aires would be like doing so in New York or London, just something that is more hassle then it is worth (and it is scary to drive here).

I agree that 98% of visitors have no real use for a rental car in EZE.... having said that, for those that like a driving challenge and may need to visit the suburbs often, then its not that crazy to consider renting a vehicle.

I highly recommend San Antonio de Areco. I don't recommend it as a day trip, though, it's a full 2 hour ride (at least) from the centre of Buenos Aires and too nice and relaxing to just turn around and leave at the end of the day.

We stayed at an estancia which was pricey compared to what you'll spend on most of your Argentina trip, but worth it as a special getaway. When we were there in October it didn't feel too touristy - the area was very homey, cultured, and had this sort of old-world luxury and charm to it. But that was just before the tourist season began so I don't know how it is in summer (November-March).

San Antonio de Areco is an idyllic little town. Very well maintained with pretty historic architecture. The people there were very warm and a good number of them spoke English. I would have saved a bit more time for shopping, had I known there were some wonderful places to buy fashionable handmade clothes, silver jewellery and trinkets for the home. There are a couple of great cafes in the center of town and one near the church with amazing gelato. All in all, a lovely place to visit. I'd even recommend 2-3 nights there.

It would be handy to have a car in the area, but we found that the estancias will arrange for rides to/from Buenos Aires and into and around San Antonio de Areco, all for a flat rate that is probably worth it vs. the hassle and responsibility of renting a car.

One word of caution, though, ATMs seemed a bit unreliable in San Antonio de Areco so I recommend getting all of the cash you'll need before you leave Buenos Aires, and check how estancias accept payment at the time you reserve.

Nice report on Areco... thanks for sharing !!! ^