You’ve booked a polo or riding holiday and finally your departure date is approaching… which begs one very important question: what should you pack for a Polo Holiday?
There’s no doubt that packing for a polo holiday takes a bit more thought that your average beach vacation. Here at El Venado Polo School, we’ve pulled together some of our best packing tips to help you get sorted.
1 – Boots.
A polo vacation means spending a lot of time in the saddle – and a pair of well-fitting riding boots will make this time so much more comfortable. If you don’t have a pair of polo boots, that’s fine. A pair of sturdy riding boots with a smooth sole and low heel will do just fine. If you only have short boots, we do recommend investing in a pair of half-chaps or gaiters. These provide extra protection and grip in the saddle, and are much less costly than a pair of polo boots! If you don’t have a pair of boots, don’t stress – at El Venado we have plenty of pairs that guests can borrow. And if you happen to have a new pair of boots, remember to take the time to break them in before you come (or bring a box of band aids!). Long riding socks are a good idea too.
2 – Riding pants.
Just like boots, riding pants can make or break your holiday, comfort-wise. When playing a match, polo players usually wear white jeans, but these aren’t necessary when you’re not competing. A comfortable pair of riding breeches or stretch jeans will work fine (bring at least two pairs). Here in Argentina, the local gauchos wear relaxed fit cotton drill trousers called bombachas de campo (field trousers). These are extremely comfortable to play in, so we recommend buying a pair while you’re here!
And while we’re talking pants… your choice of underwear is important too. For men, try to steer clear of loose boxers or you might regret it!
3 – Long-sleeved shirts.
If you’re heading off on a polo vacation, it’s likely you’ll be visiting Argentina during the warmer months. But while it’s tempting to pack only t-shirts or polo shirts, we highly recommend bringing some light, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts as well. When the sun is hot or the bugs are out, these provide invaluable extra protection. Trust us!
4 – Bug spray & sunscreen.
As we just mentioned… the sun and the insects are two things you will need protection from in Argentina. In the warmer months, temperatures reach into the 90s Fahrenheit (30s Celsius). This means a good quality sunscreen with high SPF is a must. Similarly, a heavy duty insect repellent that contains DEET.
5 – Helmet (if you want to).
If you have a helmet that fits you well, feel free to bring it with you (a lot of people do). We all wear helmets when we play chukkas at El Venado to ensure players’ safety – if you don’t have one, we can lend one to you for the duration of your stay. The same goes for kneepads, gloves and mallets.
6 – Casual clothes to wear around the estancia.
When you’re not on a horse at El Venado, you’ll be chilling out around the property – so remember to pack some comfortable clothes such as shorts, jeans, t-shirts, and flip flops or espadrilles. Even in warm weather, don’t forget to throw in a sweater just in case, and a swimsuit so you can enjoy the El Venado swimming pool! The atmosphere is pretty relaxed so you won’t need anything too formal. Thanks to our daily laundry service, you also won’t need to pack too much of anything.
7 – Pharmacy essentials.
Unsurprisingly, playing polo for several hours a day can take its toll on your body, even if you’re fit. For this reason, we suggest bringing a few essentials just in case: Ibuprofen, band aids, allergy tablets and deep heat lotion. Some guests also find it’s useful to pack some tape for strapping wrists.
8 – Camera.
From stick and ball sessions to apre-polo drinks, there will be many moments you want to remember from your time at El Venado. So don’t forget to bring your camera or camera phone so you can record them all! We also love it when guests share their photos on social media (don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram).
9 – Adaptors.
In Argentina, the standard voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Our power plugs and sockets are type C and type I. This means that, depending on your country of origin, you may need an adaptor to use your electrical appliances in Argentina. If you’re not sure, find out here.
10 – Local currency.
In Argentina (especially in rural areas) the currency used is the Argentine peso. It can be hard to get pesos outside of the city, so we recommend getting some ahead of time at the airport or even before you leave. At El Venado, you will need very little cash, as everything is included in the cost. However, we do take trips into the local village, Pila, where you may want to buy some souvenirs or supplies. Our staff also prefer to receive tips in pesos.
While these tips are specific to a polo vacation here at El Venado, they will also be useful for many other kinds of riding vacations. And remember, if you’re ever in doubt, check with your tour operator or host. They will have ‘been there, done that’ and they’ll know just the right advice to give.
Got a suggestion we should add to our packing list? Please email us at info@polodays.com so we can include in!
