travel from B.A to Punte de Este
 

Any suggestions as to the best way to go from Buenos Aires to Punte de Este in Uruguay? Also, is anyone familiar with any Estancias in close proximity to B.A.?

Besst way from Buenos AIres to Punta del Este is by plane. There are several direct flights daily.
Regarding estancias I am not familiar but I am sure that a good agency such us [email protected]
can help you and offer you a good deal. I have used them several times the last time I bough tickets for Senor Tango and other tours and on the whole it was very good deal. Buena suerte.

you will certainly be recommended the estancias in the area of San Antonio de Areco. A good idea before coming to the buenos aires hotel is to stay in one ranch near the airport (Villa Maria)for 24 hours and then do your way to the city.
As for a seaside resort, Punta del Este is the best if you want to cross to uruguay but you could easily take the plane to go to Carilo a very forested area 400 km from buenos aires and if you are for relaxing days near the sea Mar de las Pampas will do the trick.
Not cheap for Argentinians but affordable when you pay in dollars.

Hi we stayed at Ombu http://www.estanciaelombu.com/
and flew there on a 4 seater plane...it was a blast.

i also recommend el ombu de areco as a nice place to stay the day and overnight.
if you come from ezeiza there is one only a few km which is spectacular, same price Villa Maria. the following day after 24 hs in a ranch you come to buenos aires to cope with the noise and the heltic city life.