“SAILING TOUR: Tango and Choripan (typical Argentine food)

Sailing tango and choripan on a small boat is a very Argentine way to start an evening: you get the food, the sound, and the river views in the same two hours. This is a private ride on a 26-foot sailboat (up to 4 people) from Marina Punta Chica with hosts like Miriam Escandarani, and often crew such as Miriam and Pepe.

I love that the day mixes real “Argentina in your hands” moments like sipping mate and eating choripan cooked right there on the charcoal grill. I also like the calm pace, plus the tango music vibe while you watch the city appear from the water, then glow again as the light changes.

One consideration: the ride is on open water, so if you get motion sick easily or have a strong water phobia, this might not be for you. Also, the experience depends on good weather, so you’ll want flexible plans.

Key Highlights You Should Know Before You Go

• Private sailboat for up to 4 people, so the mood stays personal.
• Rio de la Plata to Buenos Aires views, with a river approach that feels different from the usual city sights.
• Mate with peanuts in the shell, a small ritual that sets the tone fast.
• Charcoal grill choripan with chimichurri, cooked and served during the sail.
• Malbec wine plus Argentine dessert, including dulce de leche.
• Tango music while you sail, a soundtrack that fits the food theme.

From Marina Punta Chica to the Rio de la Plata: What This Ride Really Feels Like

This tour is built around one simple idea: Buenos Aires works great when you see it from the river. You leave from Marina Punta Chica, then head toward the Luján River and the Rio de la Plata, where the city shows itself from a calmer angle. The boat is small, a 26-foot sailboat, which means the trip feels close, not like you are sitting on top of a crowd.

The best part is the pacing. You are not rushing between stops in a van. Instead, you move through open water, enjoy the food in a natural order, and let the city come and go around you as the light shifts.

And yes, tango is part of the experience, but it is not a staged performance. You’ll listen to tango sounds that match the mood, which works well when the rhythm of the water is doing half the job.

Your Two-Hour Itinerary: Rio de la Plata, Buenos Aires Views, and the Delta Area

The trip runs about two hours, and it follows a straightforward route: first Rio de la Plata, then Buenos Aires views, and finally time in the Delta El Tigre area.

Stop 1: Rio de la Plata, where the air changes fast

Once you’re out on the water, the Rio de la Plata gives you that wide, breezy feeling you do not get inland. This is where the tour starts setting expectations: you’re not sightseeing from a photo spot. You’re on the water, watching the horizon and the river edges change.

You’ll also start with a taste of mate and peanuts. That early snack matters. It keeps you fueled for the next steps, and it makes the food portion feel connected to place, not just tacked on.

Stop 2: Buenos Aires from the river, not a rooftop

As you continue, you get views of Buenos Aires from the water. That is a big deal in a city where most viewpoints are either high up or very urban. From the river you can see shapes and lines without the same density around you, and the skyline tends to feel more layered.

If you like sunsets and city lights, this part is your payoff. The pace stays relaxed, so you can watch the change without rushing to get photos.

Stop 3: Delta El Tigre, a quieter shift

The Delta El Tigre stop gives the trip a softer, more natural texture. You’re still close to Buenos Aires, but the river setting becomes more about waterways and space. This helps the whole experience feel balanced, food first, city views in the middle, and then something calmer to end.

No, you are not getting a nature safari here. But you do get that “different side of Greater Buenos Aires” feeling, and it helps the two hours feel complete instead of stuffed.

Mate, Peanuts, and the Start of an Argentine Food Mood

Before the cooking, you’ll taste mate with shelled peanuts. This is one of those details that makes the tour feel genuinely Argentine. Mate is not just a drink, it is an easy social habit, and the peanuts give you something salty and crunchy to balance it.

I like this order because it warms you up to the flavors before the hot food arrives. Mate also helps if you’re coming straight from the day’s walking and you need a gentle reset.

One practical note: you can want a hat and sunscreen if the sun shows up. The boat can be breezy, so sun can sneak up on you.

The Choripán Moment: Charcoal Grill Cooking Onboard

The highlight food moment is choripán, a grilled sausage served in bread with chimichurri. What makes it special here is that the cook happens on the water on a charcoal nautical grill. That means you get that classic grill aroma in a setting where it feels like a party in motion, not a restaurant meal.

Choripán is popular for a reason. The bread and chimichurri make it bright and punchy, and the sausage gives you the hearty core. Even if you think you know chimichurri, eating it right with hot grilled sausage tends to shift your opinion.

They also offer a vegetarian menu option. The alternative mentioned is cooking pizzas for vegetarian guests. If you have dietary needs, you should let the operator know in advance so the menu can be adapted. If you skip that step, you risk getting a less perfect fit for your preferences.

Vegetarian option detail matters because it keeps the meal from feeling like an afterthought. You are still part of the same onboard “food moment,” not waiting around for a separate plate.

Tango Is the Soundtrack, Not the Script

Tango shows up in the experience through music while you’re sailing. The point is not to teach you how tango history works. It’s to set the vibe, a little romantic, a little rhythmic, and right there with the river sounds.

This works especially well if you like subtle culture integration. You’re not pulled into a lesson. You’re just listening as the boat moves, and the music becomes part of your memory.

Also, the crew tends to share culture context in conversation. People have praised the warmth and the ease with which the hosts answer questions about Argentine culture and the boats themselves. If you’re curious about where to go next for tango dancing or where to eat in the city, you can usually ask and get practical suggestions.

Wine and Sweet Finish: Malbec Plus Dulce de Leche

After the grilled choripán, you’ll have a glass of Argentine wine, specifically Malbec. This is a nice pairing in spirit, since grilled meat flavors and Malbec are a familiar match in Argentine dining. You do not need to be a wine nerd for it to feel right.

Then comes dessert: dulce de leche. It is famous across Argentina, and it makes a simple closing. The sweetness also balances all the savory, smoky flavors from the grill, plus the salt from the peanuts and chimichurri.

The tour includes snacks around mate and also includes the dulce de leche tasting. The overall feel is like a full meal experience, not just a snack tour pretending to be dinner.

Price and Value: What 300 Per Person Buys You Here

The price is 300 per person for about two hours, private for up to 4 people. That might sound high until you break down what’s actually included.

You’re paying for a small private sail on open water, with crew, the onboard setup for cooking, and the food and drinks. Included items are mate with peanuts in shell, choripán with bread and chimichurri, dulce de leche tasting, and Malbec. There’s also a vegetarian alternative option.

If you’ve ever paid more for a city dinner and still felt like the setting was generic, the value here is the combination. You’re not only eating Argentine food. You’re eating it in motion, with Buenos Aires around you from a river viewpoint.

For me, the key value is the size. A max of four people keeps the experience calm and personal, especially when the hosts are the ones guiding the pace.

Who Should Book This Sail, and Who Might Want Something Else

This is a great fit if you want a different kind of Buenos Aires outing. You get culture through tango music and through food, but you’re also getting a real sensory change, wind on your face, water movement under you, and city views that feel more cinematic than typical viewpoints.

It also works well for couples and small groups because it is private and relaxed. People have described it as peaceful and easygoing, which makes sense given the short duration and limited group size.

You might want to skip it if you know you get dizzy easily, or if you have a strong water phobia. The water setting is the whole point, so it’s not the place to test your nerves.

And if you’re traveling with very small kids, note the minimum age is over 5 years old. Plan for comfort and bring protective clothing, since you will be outdoors.

Practical Tips Before You Go (So You Enjoy It More)

Here are the small things that can make or break a boat afternoon.

• Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a light coat if the day feels cool. The wind on the water can be sneaky.
• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that work around a boat deck. You want stable footing without fuss.
• If you have any food restrictions, tell the operator ahead of time. They mention adapting the menu, and you’ll get a better result when they can plan.
• Check your timing preferences. The operator suggests other days and times are available, so if you care about light and sunset, you’ll want to pick accordingly.

Should You Book This Tango and Choripan Sail?

I think you should book it if you want an Argentine experience that’s not locked inside a dining room. The combo of mate, choripán cooked on a charcoal grill, tango music, Malbec, and dulce de leche is a smart package for a short outing. The private size, calm pace, and Buenos Aires river views make it feel worth the price if you’re looking for something special without turning it into a long day.

I’d pass if you’re motion sensitive or you dislike being on open water. And if your schedule is rigid and you hate weather-related changes, keep some buffer since the experience depends on good weather.

FAQ

How long is the sailing tour?

The tour lasts about two hours.

Where does the tour start, and where does it end?

It starts at Restaurante MARINA PUNTA CHICA, B1644 EAF, Victoria Buenos Aires, in the area of Cmte. Luis Piedra Buena 3482 to 3498, and it ends back at the meeting point.

What food and drinks are included?

You get mate with peanuts in shell, dinner choripán with bread and chimichurri (with a vegetarian menu option available), dulce de leche for dessert tasting, and a glass of Argentine Malbec wine.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. A vegetarian menu alternative is offered, and pizza cooking is mentioned as the alternative.

Who can participate?

Most people can participate. It is suitable for ages over 5 years old, but it is not recommended for travelers who are easily dizzy or who have a water phobia.

What happens if weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.