Chascomús travel guide

This quaint historical town, 126 km south of Buenos Aires, is worth visiting to enjoy the vibrant combination of gaucho culture and fine 19th-century architecture, creating an atmosphere of colonial refinement with a Wild West feel. Chascomús was founded in 1779, when a fort was built as protection against the indigenous tribes. In 1839, it was the site of the Battle of the Libres del Sur (the Free of the South), and its streets are full of well-preserved buildings dating from the mid-1800s, and lined with mature trees. Despite the strong historical significance, the town has a lively feel and its position along the eastern edge of the huge Laguna Chascomús gives it an attractive costanera, which comes to life in summer. The tourist office (Av Costanera España y Espigón de Pesca, T02241-430405, http://www.chascomus.com.ar, and http://www.chascomus.net, daily 0900-1900) is four blocks from the main avenue, Las Astras. You can take a boat out on the laguna, or head to a couple of fine estancias nearby.