A working cattle ranch with seven generations of family history.
Estancia La Tomasa is a 2,000-hectare cattle ranch in the Argentine Pampas, around three hours from Buenos Aires, near Cacharí. Still owned by the same family after more than 180 years, it offers a rare chance to stay in a female-run working estancia.
The guest house sits within the original 1893 casco, restored in 2022, with five bedrooms, shared living spaces, home cooking, riding, gaucho traditions and the wide-open rhythm of life on the land.
What we love about Estancia La Tomasa
- The warmth of Luisa and her daughters, who run the estancia together.
- The sense of staying in a real family home, not a polished set piece.
- Riding across open Pampas fields with long horizons.
- The food: fresh eggs, kitchen-garden produce, homemade jams, breads, and proper asados.
- The chance to see daily cattle-ranch work with the gauchos, depending on the season.
- The restored 1893 house, with thick adobe walls, period furniture, original artworks, and views across the fields.
Ride, eat, and settle into life on the Pampas.
Days at La Tomasa are shaped by the working rhythm of the estancia. Ride out with the gauchos across open fields, beginning with a shorter outing if you are new to horses, or spend longer days in the saddle if you are more experienced. Depending on the season, guests may be able to watch or join parts of the farm work, from moving cattle between pastures to weaning, branding, checking crops, or seeing the team at work in the yards.
There is time, too, for quieter moments: picnics or afternoon tea by the lagoon, birdwatching, capybara spotting, a swim in the converted water-tank pool, or a historic tour of the farm and old railway station connected to the Gibson family story. Meals are a central part of the stay, served around the family table or outside after a day’s work, with Pampas cooking and subtle British influences carried through the recipes.
When to Travel
September to November and March to May
La Tomasa is open year-round. Spring and autumn are especially comfortable for riding and spending long days outside, while summer brings hotter afternoons and time by the pool. Winter can be cooler and wetter, but suits fireside evenings, hearty food, and a quieter atmosphere. A stay of three to five nights works well, with two nights as a minimum; including at least one weekday gives a better chance of seeing the ranch in action.
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