If you want to just sit back and relax in the beautiful countryside of Argentina, listed below are some of the best estancias outside of Buenos Aires. Here you can unwind and de-stress in luxurious accommodation in the heart of the pampas. These estancias offer a full realm of activities and facilities, including swimming pools, gardens, and world-class cuisine.

Santa Rita
The Santa Rita estancia was built in 1790 and is completely restored for a nostalgic and cozy atmosphere. One of the charms of this estancia is its history, with its origins dating back to the times of the Virreinato legacy. The Ezurra family, the original owners, owned 16,000 hectares of frontier land when they first purchased it in 1790. In 1890, the estancia was sold to Antonio Carboni, the provincial senator. Santa Rita remained in the Barboni family until it was purchased in 1988 by the Nudemburgs.

Located in Partido de Lobos, which is 120 km from Buenos Aires, all 9 rooms have a fireplace, a private bath and excellent views of the countryside. The estancia is usually bustling with main activities of raising sheep, cattle, and horses. During your stay you have the opportunity for horseback riding, trekking, biking, swimming in the pool, and working with the gauchos in daily ranch activities.

Charcra El Vinten
This estancia is unique in that it lies atop an 82 ft. cliff that overlooks the Baradero River. Here you can enjoy the amazing view of the thousands of acres of wild islands that border the Parana River. Charcra El Vinten is located only an hour and a half from Buenos Aires, making it a possible day excursion or an overnight stay to add to your Argentina itinerary.

With three rooms available, enjoy the coziness and the big windows that open up to tranquil views of the riverside. Take an afternoon tea in the gallery or a moonlight dinner on the terrace, or rest under shade trees by the swimming pool near the cliff. Other activities are horseback riding, fishing from the pier, and water sports.

Estancia Villa Maria
Villa Maria is paradise and classic luxury in the heart of the pampas. The stately Tudor Mansion was built at the turn of the twentieth century by the distinguished architect, Alejandro Bustillo. Located just 50 km from Buenos Aires in Maximo Paz, the grounds cover 110 acres, with 75 of it a sprawling park.

The mansion is furnished in the 19th century colonial style, making you think you've gone back in time. There is also a swimming pool by the veranda that is decorated with statues and marble benches. Here you can relax in style. Villa Maria can accommodate up to 30 people, all with views of the surrounding park and lake. A weekend stay includes full room service, drinks and cocktails, and special activities and amenities. There are a wide variety of activities at the estancia that are both relaxing and are an introduction to Argentinean estancia culture and tradition. You have your choice of evening tango and folk dancing shows, polo games, and gaucho horsemanship shows. You can either bike, walk, or horseback ride as your way of exploring the estate and the nearby area.

Estancia Juan Geronimo
Just 2 hours of Buenos Aires, the Juan Geronimo is hidden behind the north end of Samborombon Bay in the town of Veronica. The estate is huge, encompassing 10, 365 hectares. There are such a wide variety of habitats and wildlife that UNESCO has named it a World Biosphere. You will find grasslands, old growth tala forests, and reedbeds off of the River Plate.

The estancia dates back to 1901, when it was built by Ernesto Tornquist. The Tudor mansion is furnished with period colonial furniture and cozy, old-country style décor. The estancia can house up to 24 people in 11 rooms overlooking the lake. Besides being a country lodge, the estancia is also completely self-sufficient. They have their own tea-house, nursery, carriage house and stables, a dairy and slaughterhouse, a mill, and a chicken farm. Lucky for you, the meals are delicious local specialties coming right from the land.

With the array of different ecosystems and beautiful, wide-open countryside of the Pampas, the grounds are perfect for day outings on horseback, by foot, or by bike. There are also opportunities to go on a photo safari, canoeing and fishing on the lake, and tennis courts.

Estancia La Horqueta
Also close to Buenos Aires is Estancia La Horqueta, which is located 70 km from the city in the town of Chascomus. The Tudor-style mansion gives the feeling of luxury with its elegant, old world charm. Enjoy all the comforts of a city hotel in the untamed heartland of Argentina. Relax in the sprawling fields filled with old-growth trees, gardens, and lagoons, all under the canopy of the bright blue sky of the Pampas.

La Horqueta offers a variety of activities including horseback riding lessons and guided trail rides for all skill levels. There is also canoeing in the lagoon, a swimming pool and solarium. In the evening sit by a bonfire under the stars, or go for a moonlight horseback ride for a memorable experience.

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