13- SANTA RITA RANCH
Locality: Carboni, Lobos.
Distance from the Federal Capital: 120 Km

Description: it is a space inviting you to submerge into the dawn of the Viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata, turning relaxation into a trip in time. Santa Rosa was regarded as a frontier estancia, for the City of Buenos Aires was threatened by the natives in the second half of the XVIII century. In order to defend it, forts were created on the banks of the Salado River, each with a chapel and a house that later would give origin to the first ranch houses of the zone.

In the case of Santa Rita, built by the Ezcurra family around 1795, it was raised in front of the chapel that is currently refurbished and kept almost intact. A system of tunnels started at this estancia as a means of escape before the chance of an attack or loot by the former settlers of the place.

Originally the main ranch house had 17 rooms and 7 bathrooms; although the construction was continuously enlarged until 1840.

Nowadays Santa Rita offers this main ranch house, conveniently recycled, and an adjacent construction, which 200 years ago was used as dwellings for the domestic personnel, where you can find rooms for all sorts of tastes; all of them with a view of the park and the forest.

Its imposing park and the dense 40-hectare forest planted more than 150 years ago with avenues of eucalyptuses, casuarinas and ombu trees that frame the main house can be appreciate from every corner of the estancia.

Food is another one of the highlights in Santa Rita; where an exquisite and balanced menu, and the kindness of the hosts, both the owners of the estancia and its personnel, will provide the touch of distinction on an unforgettable stay in this historic corner of Buenos Aires countryside.

Activities: the proposals are varied and they are suitable for all kinds of tastes; you can choose amongst riding on horseback or a sulky across the forest and the creek, playing ball at the jai alai pitch, riding on a bike, or simply practice footing or gymnastics.

14- LA CANDELARIA RANCH
Locality: on the road to Lobos.
Distance from the Federal Capital: 115 Km, and 12 Km from Lobos.
Way of access: the entrance to La Candelaria is located on National Route 205, between Lobos and Roque Perez.
How to get there: it can be accessed by car, going along the highway up to Cañuelas, or by train up to Lobos


Description: the main house is a splendid castle of French design built around the year 1900 in a style that suggests reminiscences of the XVI century. The building is owed to renowned architect Alberto Fabre. Its ample and comfortable living rooms, dining rooms and playrooms are distributed on its main three floors. The interior is lavishly decorated with its entire French suite from that period; in total, the estancia has an area of 2400 square metres.

It has 100 hectares of park in which imposing araucarias, casuarinas, pine trees, eucalyptuses and banana trees stand out; amongst other 200 vegetal species that form a true botanic garden. It also has statues, fountains, a bridge over a narrow watercourse, and stone benches.

It has 25 rooms distributed in the following manner: 12 rooms in the proper castle, eight in the traditional colonial houses (in a suite with a living room heated by a fireplace), two in warm bungalows in the forest, one in a picturesque Dutch windmill, and two in the intimacy of the sun house.

Activities: visits to the chapel, bicycles, golf, swimming pool, tennis, horseback rides, rides on carriages, guided tours, volleyball, soccer and photo safari.


15- LA CONCEPCION RANCH
Locality: Lobos.
Distance from the Federal Capital: 126.4 Km
Way of access: National Route 205.

Description: it is a traditional estancia with a lavish ranch house and an additional chalet. It has a splendorous 200-hectare park designed by Carlos Thays in front of a lake with a cascade and an isle. It has a beautiful neo-gothic chapel as well.

Activities: horseback and carriage rides, rural watching, swimming in a pool of salt water, polo, tennis, horses, volleyball, bowls, playgrounds for children, fishing at the Lobosu Lagoon, ping pong, and golf at ten kilometres from the estancia.


16- LA MARTINA RANCH
Locality: Vicente Casares, Cañuelas.
Distance from the Federal Capital: 55 Km
Way of access: Ezeiza - Cañuelas Highway in 40 minutes; at the descend on Km 51, in Vicente Casares, you make a right turn and then further ahead for just 300 metres

Description: it is a place of reverie that makes of warmth and a personalised attention their welcoming trademark. The estancia has several ranch houses and one of its outstanding characteristics is in it being the seat of a polo school, and the famous polo horses are bred and trained in here. It has two rooms equipped to host business and social events, and a 200-hectare field that shelters 150 botanic species where it is possible to watch all kinds of birds. It has 25 rooms in total, distributed in four houses close to one another.

Activities: polo school, swimming pool, tours, tennis and paddle games, horseback rides and visits to the stables. Practices or polo matches can be appreciated on weekends if it is not raining.