Buenos Aires looks different from the river. This private sailing food tour turns Argentine comfort classics—mate, choripán, and Dulce de leche—into a calm 2-hour ride with Tango music in the background. You leave from Marina Punta Chica and head out toward the Luján River and Rio de la Plata for views of the city from the water.

What I like most is the combo of real food done outdoors and the small-group feel. The crew serves mate with shelled peanuts, then fires up a charcoal nautical grill to cook choripán with chimichurri, plus a glass of Malbec. It’s also the kind of experience where Tango doesn’t feel like a separate show—it’s just part of the atmosphere while you sail past the Buenos Aires riverfront.

One thing to plan for: this is on a sailboat, so if you get motion-sick easily or have a water phobia, skip it. Also, it runs on good weather—if conditions are rough, your timing may change.

Key points to know before you go

• Max 4 people, private ride: You won’t be wedged into a crowded boat. It’s genuinely your group out on the water.
• Choripán cooked on a charcoal nautical grill: You’re not eating pre-made food. The cooking happens as part of the experience.
• Mate tasting with shelled peanuts: Expect a classic Argentine start, not just a quick sip.
• Tango music as the soundtrack: You get the cultural vibe while cruising, without needing to hunt down a venue.
• Dulce de leche dessert included: Sweet, simple, and very Argentine—served after the main meal.
• Vegetarian option is available: There’s a vegetarian menu option, with pizza mentioned as an alternative.

The vibe: Tango, food, and a sailboat that stays relaxed

This isn’t the kind of tour where you’re rushed from stop to stop. The rhythm is more like a long, pretty river afternoon: you sail, you snack, you eat something hot off the grill, you sip Malbec, and you listen to Tango music while the shoreline rolls by.

The biggest reason it works is the setting. Buenos Aires looks dramatic from land, sure. But from the river you get a softer view—flatter light, bigger sky, and that long sense of motion that makes conversation easier. Add in the fact that the boat is only 26 feet and takes up to four people, and you end up with a more personal feel than typical group cruises.

Also, I appreciate that the tour uses food that’s truly Argentine: mate, choripán, chimichurri, and Dulce de leche. It’s not “Argentina-themed” in a generic way. It’s the real local comfort list.

Boat size, price, and value in plain language

The price is $300 per person for about 2 hours, on a private sail (up to 4 people) from Marina Punta Chica in San Fernando. On paper, it might sound steep—until you compare what you’re actually getting.

Here’s what you’re paying for, clearly:

• A private 26-foot sailboat ride (not a large group “boat party”)
• Food built around choripán: sausage grilled on a charcoal nautical grill with bread and chimichurri
• Drinks: mate (coffee/tea style mate setup) plus a glass of Malbec
• Dessert: Argentine Dulce de leche
• A cultural soundtrack: Tango music during the cruise
• A flexible vegetarian option (pizza is mentioned as an alternative)

If you’re used to paying for “food tours” that are mostly walking + small tastings, this feels different. You’re getting a real seated-style meal, cooked on board, with views that you can’t replicate from a restaurant table.

Your 2-hour route: Rio de la Plata, Buenos Aires views, Delta El Tigre

The tour timing is short on purpose. You get the best parts—open water sailing and the “Buenos Aires from the river” feeling—without spending your whole day on a boat.

The plan follows this flow:

• Start at Rio de la Plata
• Continue with views of Buenos Aires from the river
• Cruise through the Delta El Tigre area

The overview also notes sailing on the Luján River and Rio de la Plata, which matches the idea that you’re moving through waterways that give you a wide view of the city.

In practice, this route is built for photo-friendly moments:

• You see the skyline from the water, not just from a viewpoint
• You can catch river-light changes as the afternoon shifts
• If you’re lucky with timing, you’ll get the kind of river-sunset experience that people remember for a while

There’s also a quiet, peaceful quality to this kind of sailing. One of the recurring themes in the experience descriptions is that it feels relaxed and easy-going—more calm glide than “tour bus, now move!”

Stop by stop: what each part is good for

Rio de la Plata: settle in and take in the open water

This is your first stretch. It’s where the cruise begins to feel like sailing, not just a dock-to-dock dinner. You’ll be out on the river system early enough to enjoy the breeze and the sense of distance from the city.

This section is also where the mate setup usually happens—so you get the Argentine start early, and you’re warmed up (literally and socially) before food.

Buenos Aires views: the city, framed by water

The tour is designed around the idea that you’ll have a view of Buenos Aires from the river. That’s the whole magic trick here.

You’re not standing in a crowd trying to catch a skyline shot. You’re moving slowly enough to look, talk, and then look again. In past experiences, the highlight has often been the way Buenos Aires lights up as the afternoon turns toward evening.

If you want a “first night in Buenos Aires” activity that doesn’t require a late-night plan, this part fits nicely. You get city energy without committing to a full tour day.

Delta El Tigre: a calmer, greener feel after the city

Delta El Tigre is where the atmosphere shifts. Instead of feeling like you’re only next to a big city, you get more of the river-and-islands vibe—an in-between world of waterways.

It’s also a good contrast to the food experience. After choripán and Dulce de leche, having a calmer water section helps the whole tour feel like a complete afternoon, not just a meal on a boat.

The food and drinks: mate, chimichurri, Malbec, and Dulce de leche

This is where the tour earns its reputation.

Mate with shelled peanuts

You’ll taste a rich mate infusion, and they pair it with shelled peanuts. This is a classic Argentine combo: warm bitter-herbal mate and salty crunch.

Practical note: if you’ve never tried mate, the best way is to treat it like a first sip ritual. Don’t rush it. Let the flavor hit, then decide if you like it.

Choripán cooked on a charcoal nautical grill

Once you’ve sailed, the crew sets the fire on the charcoal nautical grill and cooks choripán—salchicha asada (grilled sausage) in bread with chimichurri. This is a key detail: the grill is part of the boat’s “stage,” not a restaurant behind glass.

Choripán is simple food, but it’s powerful when it’s fresh. Bread + grilled sausage + chimichurri gives you that bright, garlicky, herb punch that cuts through the smoke and keeps each bite interesting.

Wine: Malbec

You also get a glass of Argentine wine, specifically Malbec. It’s not a festival drink count situation—just one included glass as part of the meal.

If you don’t drink, you can still enjoy the food and the views. Just know that the included pairing is part of the planned flow.

Dulce de leche dessert

For dessert, they serve Argentine Dulce de leche. It’s sweet, classic, and easy to like—even if you’re not normally a dessert person. It closes the meal without needing a second plan after the cruise.

Vegetarian option

They offer a vegetarian menu option. The information specifically mentions the option of cooking pizzas as an alternative for vegetarian diners.

If you’re vegetarian, this is one of the best types of “adaptable” meals: you’re not left guessing whether you’ll find something suitable once you’re on board.

Tango music: cultural atmosphere without a separate ticket

Tango can be easy to overdo. Some tours treat it like an item on a checklist: play music, hand out facts, call it culture.

Here, the Tango component sounds more like atmosphere. The tour description says you listen to tangos connecting with local music while sailing. In other words, it’s part of the cruise environment, not a forced performance.

That matters for your experience. When music fits the setting—quiet river, slow sailing, warm food—it feels natural. It also helps you enjoy the ride even if you’re not a hardcore Tango fan.

Who this tour suits best (and who should pass)

This is an activity with a very specific sweet spot.

You’ll likely love it if:

• You want a private Buenos Aires-area experience without a strict walking itinerary
• You like eating local food that’s actually made fresh
• You want river views rather than yet another city museum stop
• You’re traveling as a couple or in a small group (the max is four)

It’s less ideal if:

• You’re easily dizzy or you have a water phobia (this is explicitly noted)
• You dislike being outdoors in changing wind and weather

Also bring a realistic expectation about timing. This is about two hours, so it’s not a whole-day outing. Think “one perfect afternoon” rather than “covering everything in Buenos Aires.”

Practical tips: what to bring and how to enjoy the boat ride

The tour doesn’t include key comfort items, so plan to bring them:

• Sunscreen
• Comfortable clothes
• A coat and a hat

Even if it’s sunny, river wind can cool you down. And even if you like sailing, you’ll be happier if you’re comfortable from the start.

A few behavior tips that help:

• Eat and sip at a steady pace. The boat is moving, and you’ll enjoy the food more if you’re not rushing.
• Dress for breeze, not just temperature. River air changes quickly.
• If mate is new to you, take one calm sip before you decide you like it.

Hosts and service style: attentive, warm, and easy to talk to

This experience is led by Miriam Escandarani. From the way the crew is described in feedback, Miriam works closely with sailing partners such as Pepe, and sometimes Juan has been mentioned as part of the team.

What comes through is the tone: friendly, warm, and practical. People highlight that the crew keeps things relaxed and makes it easy to ask questions—about sailing, about Argentina, and about what to do next in the city (including Tango dancing suggestions).

That kind of service matters on a small boat. When you’re only up to four people, the difference between stiff and welcoming becomes obvious fast.

When to book and what weather means for your plans

This sailing tour requires good weather. If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s the big thing to watch.

My advice: pick a date when you have flexibility. Buenos Aires plans change easily, and river sailing depends on conditions that can shift.

Also, if you’re the type who hates uncertainty, remember you can still plan a backup day. But if you like outdoor activities and you’re willing to adjust, this tour is worth building around.

Should you book Tango and Choripán on a private sailboat?

Book it if you want:

• A small-group Buenos Aires-area experience that feels personal
• Real Argentine comfort food: choripán, chimichurri, mate, and Dulce de leche
• River skyline views from the water, with a chance for sunset and city lights
• Tango music as part of the atmosphere, not a separate production

Skip it if:

• You’re prone to motion sickness or you don’t like being on the water
• You want a guaranteed indoor experience
• You’re only looking for a quick snack (this is a meal format, not tiny samples)

If you’re deciding between “another city activity” and something that gives you a different angle on Buenos Aires, this one is a smart bet. It combines food you can actually taste, a setting you can’t easily recreate on your own, and a relaxed pace that makes the afternoon feel longer than two hours.

FAQ

How long is the sailing tour?

It lasts about 2 hours.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and your group is the only group on the sailboat. The maximum is 4 people.

What’s included for food and drinks?

You get mate with peanuts, choripán (grilled sausage in bread with chimichurri), Dulce de leche dessert, and a glass of Argentine Malbec.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. A vegetarian menu option is available, and pizza is mentioned as an alternative.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Restaurante MARINA PUNTA CHICA (Marina Punta Chica), and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is it suitable for kids?

The tour is suitable for ages over 5 years old.

What happens if weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled because of poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.