The Gaucho

Discover the secrets of the traditional inhabitant of the plains: a symbol of the Argentine identity.

Do you know the origin of the word "gaucho"? Some say it was the way Spanish colonizers called beggars. Others, that it comes from the word "chaucho", which in Arabic means cattle herder. Do you know who used to be called a gaucho? The criollo or mestizo man who lived in the countryside in Argentina in the 18th and 19th centuries. A nomadic horse rider. A cattle raiser. A boleadoras thrower. A rodeo and taming expert. Discover the gaucho history. 

 

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Gauchos turned horses into their best friends. With them, they not only did their daily chores but also took part in fights for the independence. Due to their bravery and rebelliousness, gauchos became an emblem for low classes, a fighting and popular hero, a symbol of the Argentine identity. Discover the Gaucho Martín Fierro: more than a literary work, it is the great national poem. Learn more about the gaucho legend. 

 

Geographic location: mainly in the surroundings of San Antonio de Areco, 113 kilometers from the city of Buenos Aires.

How to get there: by land via Ruta Nacional 8. There are various bus lines which arrive from the city of Buenos Aires and from other places in the province.

Altitude: 26 meters above sea level. (average altitude). Climate: warm and humid.

Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days.

Recommended clothing: in winter (June through September), take warm clothes, a cap and scarf. In summer (December through March), a light jacket to wear at night will be enough. Also take comfortable (preferably light-colored) clothes, insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. In fall (March through June) or spring (September through December) bring an umbrella or raincoat. Take comfortable footwear. 

What to do: in San Antonio de Areco, visit the Parque Criollo and the Ricardo Güiraldes Gaucho Museum [Museo Gauchesco Ricardo Güiraldes]. Spend a day at a tourism ranch in the area and taste a good asado while watching a folklore dance show. 

Tips: tourism ranches should be booked in advance. In November, take part in the Tradition Fest [Fiesta de la Tradición], considered the most ancient criollo celebration of the country.

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