This northwestern Buenos Aires suburb has grown into a major polo center, with multiple polo fields and clubs. Its modern shopping malls and gated communities draw many residents.
Pilar, 51 kilometers northwest of Buenos Aires, has grown from a rural town into Argentina's polo center. You can watch professional polo matches at nine different fields, explore the 19th-century Parish of Our Lady of the Pillar, or spot toucans and woodpeckers at the Luján River nature reserve. The town's streets are lined with colonial buildings like the Pando-Carabassa Castle, while modern country clubs draw weekend visitors from the capital.
Getting to Pilar
You can reach Pilar from Buenos Aires via National Route 8, a 54-kilometer drive northwest. Regular bus services connect the city to Buenos Aires, and a train line serves commuters between the two cities. The journey typically takes about an hour by car.
Nature and Wildlife
At the Pilar Nature Reserve along the Luján River, you can walk through 297 hectares of wetlands and lagoons. Look for roman cassie trees and Jerusalem thorn plants along the trails. The reserve's mammals include weasels, rabbits, nutria, and skunks. Bird watchers can identify more than 60 species, from yellow-billed toucans to white woodpeckers.
Polo Capital
Pilar is Argentina's National Capital of Polo, with nine professional polo fields spread across the town. The Argentine Polo Association runs its operations from the Pando-Carabassa Castle, a stone mansion from the 1800s. You can watch major national tournaments throughout the year, where Argentina's top players compete on the field.
Colonial Buildings
The Parish of Our Lady of the Pillar from 1856 sits at the center of October 12 Plaza - both are National Historic Monuments. Walk past the Spanish Colonial Revival City Hall from 1896, with its distinctive arched windows and red-tiled roof. At the Alcalde Lorenzo López Museum, you can see local artifacts and documents that tell the story of Pilar's development.
Annual Celebrations
On October 12, locals celebrate the Virgin of Pilar festival. Join the procession as it carries the virgin's image through the streets. The day continues with a civic-military parade where you'll see local school groups, community organizations, and traditional Argentine dance performances.
Golf and Country Clubs
Pilar's golf scene includes several well-maintained courses. The Highland Park Country Club opened its doors in 1948, while the Golfer's Country Club began operating in 1973. More recent additions include the Pilar Golf Club (1992) and the Estancias Golf Club (2008). Each club maintains an 18-hole course and practice facilities.
