Estancia Las Mercedes

Robert E. Lowe was born to a second generation New Zealander in Wellington and arrived in Argentina in 1908. The potential of the Maté tree plantations, then known as the green gold, attracted him to buy an Estancia near Iguazu, the famous waterfalls that are situated on the border of Argentina and Brazil. Three generations on, Edith and her daughter Cristina have opened the gates of Estancia Las Mercedes and its 650 hectare patchwork of rolling hills, lush green fields and spacious semi-tropical woodland to receive guests.

Accommodation & Activities

Mercedes can accommodate up to ten guests, it has a nice swimming pool and the corrals of the horses are situated nearby. The Estancia is near to the Iguazu falls.

The front of the main house

Cristina, the daughter of the owners, studied horses in the Spanish Riding School, and keeps an immaculate herd of Criollo horses mixed with American quarter-horse on the farm. These lovely horses along with the rolling hills, lush green fields and open woodland make Mercedes an ideal place for both beginner and experienced riders.

Cristina cantering through the lush green woodland of the Estancia.

Pato is the national sport of Argentina. It is sort of a mix between polo and basketball and it is great fun to watch or play. Cristina and her family have often sold horses to the local Pato club and spending a day with them is one of the most enjoyable things you can do in the region.

Children learning to play Pato.

As well as horses, the Estancia has several Canadian style canoes and to gently paddle down the Piray Guazú river, that runs through the Estancia, is a lovely way to pass an afternoon.

Paddling down the Piray Guazú River.

Alternatively, for those who prefer to keep their feet closer to the ground, the Estancia has several bicycles and there are several stunning trails leading round the farm – ideal for both cyclists and walkers alike. Walking these trails is also the best way of seeing the local birdlife.

Bicycling through the forests.

Then, within a short drive from the farm, it is possible to visit an Orchid nursery garden and a Maté factory – Maté is a tree, the leaves of which are made into a tea that is widely drunk throughout the southern cone of South America.

Unloading the Maté leaves from the harvest.