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City and municipality in Río Negro, Argentina
Photo: Matías Garay, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Bariloche is in the Río Negro Province, near the Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina. One of the most visited cities in Argentinian Patagonia, it is famous for skiing and is great for sightseeing, water sports, trekking and climbing. Despite being an undeniable tourist magnet, Bariloche is set amidst incredible landscapes which should not be missed by nature-loving travelers. Another claim to fame is its Swiss-like atmosphere and its chocolate boutiques and breweries, and look for the St Bernard dogs on display for tourists.
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Museum of Patagonia
"Stuffed" native wildlife, pictures, and a great section covering the indigenous pre-Hispanic inhabitants of the region.
In the early 1950s, an Austrian scientist named Ronald Richter attempted to build the world's first fusion power plant on an island in a lake in the Andes, the undertaking being known as the Huemul Project. A couple of years and an equivalent of several hundred million US dollars later it came into light that Richter never had got any proof of his design actually functioning in the first place. As the patron of the project, President Juan Perón, was ousted in 1955, Richter was arrested for fraud. Today the ruins of the project can be visited on the island, and the city itself remains a center of Argentinian nuclear research.
Skiing
It has the biggest ski centre in South America, with a skiable area of 2 km² (0.77 sq mi), over 100 km (62 miles) of ski runs, and a lift capacity of 22,200 skiers per hour. It is located 19 km (12 miles) from Bariloche. If you enjoy hiking, there is trail to the Frey refugio which takes about 6½ hours (4 up, 2½ down). Look for the trailhead in the far corner of the parking lot.
Boat excursions from Bariloche (Puerto Panuelo) to Bosque Arrayanes (about AR$160) & Puerto Blest, they also do the trip across to Chile (Cruce de Lagos) (about US$230).
All-day cruise of Lake Nahuel Huapi and the National Park. Numerous stops allow you to wander in Andean rain forest, eat at the Hotel Puerto Blest and enjoy the stunning scenery from the turquoise waters of the lake. Buy the pass for a one hour cruise on Lago Frias which brings you near the snow covered volcano, Tronador. Lago Frias is milky jade green in color and the ride includes a short stop at the Chilean frontier. US$230 per person - also known as Cruce Andino.
Tandem flights by Cerro Otto or Cerro Catedral.
Beautiful view of the lakes and mountains around—hike it (30 min, departs near the bottom of the lift) or take the ski-lift (AR$8000, ~USD$8). Get in with bus #20, 21, 10 from the center and get off at km 17.8. After the Campanario you can go on with the Circuito Chico during the same day.
A forest of rare, orange-colored trees that only grow on a local island (and one in Japan) near Villa la Angostura. There are several cruise boats; the newest (luxurious) ship is called the "Cau Cau". Take the circuit bus out of Bariloche and catch a boat (near the Hotel Llao Llao) and have lunch, hike or bike, and enjoy the afternoon in the forest.
Road of the Seven Lakes
All-day tour by bus to see the seven picturesque lakes between Bariloche and San Martín de Los Andes, with lunch at SMdLA, followed by a return trip through the arid Pampas where you can see much of the local fauna along the way.
Nice 3 km hike starting close to the Lao Lao golf course. Beautiful views to Lago Moreno.
This beautiful 25-km route can be biked or hiked. You can also do it by bus during summer (line 10). If you hike it, take bus 20 towards Llao Llao till "El Muelle". See map above for track.
Viewpoint over the area of Bariloche. Transport there includes in the price of the cable car which cost AR$70 both ways (bus+cable car) or less one way while the other way you can hike or take a mountain bike(9 km from the city, about 2½ hours when hiking down). The rotating restaurant at the top has some impressive vistas of the region (average meal costs about AR$25) and there are some nice hiking trails behind the restaurant.
Considered by many as the best 1-3 days trekking in Bariloche. When it's cold enough you can skate in the lake near the refuge. When there's not too much snow you can climb the granite "agujas" (needles) near the refuge which have ways for all levels, or head to Lago Jakob. There are two ways to get in and out: the main one is from Villa Cathedral (bus #52, every hour), another (a bit longer) one starts from Los Cohiues and goes along the Gutierrez lake (bus #50).
In late spring/summer/early autumn there's a trekking trail to the mountain shelter (not as easy as Otto's). It takes about 3 hours to get there and can be quite tiring, but the views from the shelter are impressive. Be sure to bring along water and some fruit to keep your energy. Colonia Suiza, a Swiss-like borough, is nearby.
Visit the black glacier (ventisquero negro), see the Cerro Tronador and a waterfall over an overhanging cliff named Saltillo de las Nalcas, near the village of Pampa Linda. The busride takes about two hours, and costs AR$90 return or AR$45 one-way (Transitando, 20 de Febrero 300, Bariloche). There is an additional entrance fee to the national park of AR$50 (foreigners). With this bus, you have to hike the last 7 km to the glacier, which is a beautiful experience as there is a hiking trail and the road shows amazing landscape. Some tourist buses take you right to the sights. Near the lookout there is confiteria which sells overpriced food although location is remote and the place astonishing.
Up to 4 days of hiking with nice tails, and a hostel, to and from Bariloche. Consult with the local national park office.
Salsa evening every Friday, 01:00-05:00.
Has, according to some, the best meat in Argentina. There are two restaurants in town, and one located about 8 km out of town. Ask a taxi driver to take you there. Be aware that if you arrive after 20:00, you may have to wait in line for 30 min or more, especially if you are a party of 6 or more. El boliche de Alberto has a meat version of the restaurant which specialises in meats such as beef, chicken or pork etc. and there is a pasta version which serves a variety of different pastas.
Also called "El Refugio Del Montañes", this family-owned restaurant has a homey atmosphere (especially compared to the tourist-trap feel of El Boliche de Alberto) that adds to the experience. The meat is very good, you don't have to wait 2 hr to enjoy it, and the location is conveniently on one of the main avenues in Bariloche. However serving sizes are quite small and pricey (AR$200 for a modest 2-person dinner with dessert and no wine)
Casita Suiza
One of the best regional restaurants in Bariloche. You also can ask Swiss specialties like fondues, raclettes and pierrades.
A splurge restaurant with great specials, salads and sandwiches and especially good pasta.
Small sandwich shop that serves delicious food in massive portions. Offers many types of sandwiches and just about any type of topping for them that you can think of for low prices. The owner is very friendly and speaks Spanish, Hebrew, and a little English.
Large restaurant with several dining rooms on two floors. Very popular with waits of over an hour common. Milanesa is the house specialty. Food is good, served in large portions and reasonably priced.
Popular Mexican restaurant serving traditional Mexican food with an all-you-can eat taco special. Veggie options available.
Traditional Argentinian food with German influences. Dishes included lake trout, venison, etc. Rustic atmosphere.
Italian restaurant serving pizza, pastas, and other dishes.
Popular local bar.
Nice variety of food and great beer. The barley wine is especially potent. Two-for-one pints during happy hour, every day 18:00-20:00.
Brewpub serving large, reasonably priced meals. Casual place with a menu that's heavy on the beef with burgers, steaks, and homemade empanadas stuffed with diced meat.
Small brewery with huge windows looking out onto the lake. Beers are mostly lager styles, including a pale lager, a fairly light bodied bock, and a strong beer called Gran Torobayo. They also have an obligatory IPA for those who aren't tired of that over-tired style.
Popular place to eat and drink so reservations are suggested if you're coming for dinner. Good selection of beers with a bold creamy stout, a kolsch, an IPA, some seasonal offerings, and an amazingly aromatic and fruity framboise (raspberry beer). Food is mostly Germany with large portions. The milanesa is good as are the burgers.
Fun brewery in the town center. Serves a variety of house beers with the most popular being their sweet raspberry ale. Food options include an all-you-can-eat deal on pizzas or tacos, or you can order other dishes off the menu including burgers, fries, and onion rings, which are made fresh and generously served.
Good food and beer coupled with incredible panoramic views of the nearby lake and mountains. Beers were mostly ale styles with an IPA, brown ale, and a fruity frambuesa. Hearty portions of well cooked and presented food. The matambre a la pizza is a favorite as are the fajitas (which serves 2).
By Pass
Offers a very elegant environment with lots of laser effects and nice music.
One of the oldest dance clubs in Bariloche. It is quite nice and it offers laser effects but not as colorful as other dance clubs.
This is a must-visit place. It has wood-like walls and it is designed in such a way that it is easy to get lost if you don't know your way around. It has a very quiet place with a huge window showing the Nahuel Huapi lake. There are no laser effects but the bartenders are experts and it is worth watching them doing all sorts of tricks.
Four floors dance club full of light, colors and sounds. Good laser show and nice atmosphere.
Futurist-looking disco. Open since 1993.
Just a few blocks from the city center. Big, spacious rooms, cozy common spaces for relaxing,watching TV or DVDs, listening to music or playing games. Free internet and breakfast, a well stocked kitchen, and very friendly owners. They can help you with any tourist info you need, and rent bikes. Minihostels.com members get 10% off.
Well-priced for the experience. Located in a quiet area, you can easily travel in and out of town on Bus 50 while enjoying the true natural beauty of Patagonia. The campsite is located on a huge, lush yard complete with trees, large outside grills, a crystal clear Patagonian river available for kayaking, 24/7 hot water, Wi-Fi, clean bathrooms with showers, and kitchen use. The owning family, who also live on the property, address any touristic questions or concerns. Kayaks are also available for guests to use on the river passing through the yard or on the nearby Lake Guiterrez.
Costa Azul Apart offers 21 cozy apartments that feature standard amenities like cable TV and a private toilet and bath. Some of its amenities include Wi-Fi access, car rental and tour assistance, and room service.
Named after the owner's dog.
Offers an amazing panoramic view. Excellent public areas, especially the kitchen. Free breakfast, Wi-Fi internet and has a computer for use but it is very busy and hard to get access to. Won't make reservations if you arrive after 14:00.
You can feel at home with Tato and Sandra, who are building a big "quincho"/barbecue saloon.
Marcopoloinn Hostel
Modern, clean hostel. Free breakfast and dinner, fast internet, Wi-Fi. Lots of party folk. Good value.
Modern, clean hostel. Free breakfast, fast internet, Wi-Fi. Very good free breakfast buffet for guests. Very quiet.
Free breakfast, internet. 6- and 8-bed dorms, one double room and two quad rooms.
Despite having all the charm, cosiness, cleanliness of the "Boutique Guesthouse" in its name, and with a homey feeling to top, the price could definitely put it in the Budget section if you are not looking for a dorm. The hosts Juan and Lucia are warm, friendly, welcoming and helpful. Good kitchen, Wi-Fi, free (homemade!) breakfast. The rooms are cozy, however you will not get views of the lake (except in the upstairs communal area) and the bathrooms are definitely small. Nevertheless, the place is perfect to have a relaxed stay away from the party crowds.
Edelweiss Hotel
The 3-star Hotel Tirol Bariloche is in the city´s heart, 100 meters from the main street and has spectacular views over Lake Nahuel Huapi. It has private parking inside the hotel and free Wi-Fi throughout the building.
Grand Hotel Bariloche is a 9-story hotel (3,000 m².) They offer 75 rooms organized in singles, doubles, triples and apartments.
The hotel offers Super King beds, dry heat and steam saunas, Finnish bath, Scottish shower, fitness center, and a heated interconnecting indoor and outdoor pool.
Galileo Boutique Hotel is located along the base of Cerro Catedral in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. Major landmarks, such as the Nahuel Huapi Lake and the city’s Civic Center, are within proximate distance from the hotel. Feel as if you’re in the Swiss Alps when relaxing in Galileo Boutique Hotel’s luxurious Rooms, Suites, and Apartments, each adorned with quaint cypress wood frames and geometric roofs. They have great early bird discounts. In winter is right next to the slopes and in summer you can trek to Refugio Frey from the hotel´s parking lot.
Beautiful alpine style hotel, built in 1939 (and renovated sincr), adds to the dramatic backdrop of the mountains. A classic resort: there's a golf course, boating, and much for the wealthy to see and do. Nightly rates were around USD300 in Dec 2004, so the AR$8 coffee might be the way to go in order to enjoy the view, the ambiance, etc, without paying an arm/leg to stay there overnight. Excellent service, slightly OTT decor. About 25 km from the city centre and about 35 km from Cerro Catedral.
Modern hotel (not all suites as the name might imply), with all the benefits (spacious rooms, free Wi-Fi, stunning panorama views, clever design touches) and drawbacks you expect from a boutique hotel. The suites themselves are not traditional suites, but rather larger rooms with a couch and a balcony. 3 km from the city center.
By train
The once-weekly El Tren Patagónico slowly winds along the vast open plains on a 19-hour journey from Viedma on the Atlantic coast stopping by in San Antonio Oeste and several remote outposts along…
By car
To go by car to Bariloche from Buenos Aires takes about 22 hours.
By bus
If you decide to travel by bus you can choose between different companies, such as "Via Bariloche", "El Crucero del Norte", "Andesmar", etc.
By boat
You can arrive or depart Bariloche by taking a series of ferries that wind through several lakes and connect by short bus rides from the Pacific at Puerto Montt, Chile.
On foot
It is actually possible to hike from Cochamó, Chile, which is close to Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas, to Bariloche, passing by the famous and picturesque La Junta.
Excellent public bus service, served by just one company (since 2017): My Bus. The only exception is if you want to visit Dinahuapi, then you should catch a bus of "Las grutas".
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