If you're wondering where to try polo in Buenos Aires Province, the answer doesn't necessarily have to be one of the traditional clubs in Pilar or Cañuelas. Just a few minutes from the center of Mar del Plata, in the heart of Parque Camet, you'll find Argentina Polo School — a school designed specifically for people who have never ridden a horse before and want to experience Argentina's national sport without the exclusivity or technical demands often associated with the world of polo.
Polo Beyond Buenos Aires City
When people think of polo in Argentina, Pilar is usually the first place that comes to mind. Located in the northern area of Greater Buenos Aires, it is home to high-handicap clubs and some of the world's most prestigious tournaments. It is undoubtedly one of the epicenters of professional polo, where legends such as Adolfo Cambiaso have played and top-level competitions take place. However, access for beginners in this area can be more limited — and often more expensive.
Buenos Aires Province offers other, lesser-known but equally authentic alternatives. Tandil, further inland, offers peaceful estancia experiences with multi-day stays combining horseback riding and polo. Meanwhile, on the Atlantic coast, Mar del Plata offers something few destinations can match: the opportunity to take a polo lesson in the morning and spend the rest of the day at the beach.
Argentina Polo School: Polo for Beginners in Parque Camet
Located in Parque Camet, a large green area in the northern part of the city, Argentina Polo School has built its entire experience around a group of people who might find it difficult to access the sport elsewhere: people of all ages who have never ridden before or even had any previous contact with horses.
The school offers lessons for both adults and children, as well as polo practices, horseback rides, and personalized experiences. Instruction is available in Spanish, English, and Russian. The program is designed to progress step by step:
- Basic introduction: beginner horseback riding, mallet handling, and an understanding of the rules of the game.
- Skill development: tactical training, teamwork, and handicap improvement for players who already have some experience.
- Personalized training: one-on-one coaching for those looking to reach a more advanced level at some of the country's top polo grounds.
- Tournaments and experiences: during the high season, the school organizes competitions and activities ranging from private matches to countryside rides, designed to immerse participants in Argentine polo culture.
Why Mar del Plata Offers Something Different
The biggest advantage of trying polo in Mar del Plata compared with other areas of Buenos Aires Province is the combination of experiences the city offers. After a lesson in Parque Camet, the coast is only minutes away — something neither Pilar nor Tandil can offer in quite the same way.
For families traveling with children, this proximity between the polo field and the beach can be a decisive factor when choosing where to experience the sport.
Mar del Plata is also Argentina's most popular seaside resort and one of the largest cities in Buenos Aires Province, with well-developed tourism infrastructure, including hotels, restaurants, and excellent connectivity. This makes it easy to include polo as part of a coastal holiday without having to organize an entire trip around the sport.
Tips for Planning Your Polo Lesson
Before booking your experience, keep these general recommendations in mind:
- Choose the high season if you're interested in tournaments. Competitions and special activities are usually concentrated during the busiest months of the polo season.
- Confirm prices and availability directly with the school, as these may vary depending on the time of year and the type of experience you choose, whether it's an individual lesson, horseback ride, or group practice.
- No previous experience is required. The program is designed for complete beginners, both in horseback riding and mallet handling.
- Combine polo with the beach. Taking advantage of the proximity to the ocean is one of the most appreciated aspects of the experience for visitors.
Conclusion
For anyone looking for where to try polo in Buenos Aires Province without the exclusivity of Pilar or the logistics of a multi-day estancia stay in the countryside, Argentina Polo School in Mar del Plata offers an accessible, educational, and unique alternative.
With the added advantage of combining polo with the Atlantic coast, it provides a different way to discover one of Argentina's most iconic sports while visiting one of the country's most popular tourist destinations.
