South America
Welcome Kit
Argentina
Bariloche
Visit the capital of adventure. Between snowy mountains, crystal clear lakes and ancient forests, find an oasis of adventures, walks and chocolates.
Enjoy a city declared National Capital of Adventure Tourism and National Capital of Chocolate. Bariloche offers you so much in winter and summer.
Highlights
Lakes and mighty rivers. Fishing, unspoiled Nature and many other activities are the main expectations for which tourists travel to Bariloche.
Snow and skiing, can be enjoyed during the winter season (south hemisphere) in the Catedral Hill complex, the largest ski center in South America, or in the Otto Hill.
For those who simply wish to travel and admire the landscapes calmly, then there is a great variety of walks and excursions on land and lakes.
General Facts
San Carlos de Bariloche, lying on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi and surrounded by mountains and forests, is one of the most attractive cities of Argentina.
Bariloche stands 1,640 kilometers away from the City of Buenos Aires and it offers first-class accommodation and gastronomical services. Furthermore, several tourist operators work constantly to make visitors choose this destination at all seasons.
In the summer, trout and salmonidae fly-fishing and sports recreation (especially hiking, river rafting and walks around ancient forests, as well as climbing most of the peaks surrounding the city) are some of the activities enjoyed by visitors to this great city.
During the winter, the first snowfalls announce the beginning of the ski season and the practice of winter sports at mythical Catedral Mount, considered one of the most important ski resorts in the country.
Mountain biking, sailing and horseback riding with the possibility of camping in the thick forests with rivers and natural lakes, turn the city outskirts into an ideal setting to have fun with the family
Map Location
Documentation
A valid Passport. Insurance information.
Most countries in America and
Western Europe do not require a visa.
Best Time to Go
The best time to travel to San Carlos de Bariloche is between November and February, where the weather is nice, and with little precipitation. On the other hand, if looking to ski, the best season is between July and September.
Clothing
Bariloche has truly changing weather and that is why we can find a great variety of temperatures in the same season. In that sense, in front of the question “What clothes do I put in my suitcase?”, it is important to know that a good, light windbreaker and a raincoat is essential and the best friend of everyone who visits not only Bariloche, but also Patagonia.
In the area, the climate varies greatly according to the season and the activities that a tourist will be engaged in. If a traveler is going to know, contemplate the landscape, travel, etc., without performing any sporting activity, then the informal and comfortable clothes that are worn every day is appropriate.
Also it is always advisable to always bring a good proportion of warm clothes during any time of the year, since the winds are cold and even in summer the nights are usually cool.
For summer, light clothing is ideal, as well as a sun blocker.
Footwear must be comfortable, with a good support for the foot and suitable for walking on stones and climbs. A hat never hurts.
For specific activities such as skiing, trekking, fishing and some adventure tourism activities, the specifications are more punctual.
The practice of any winter sport requires a specific clothing, which allows us to fully enjoy the activity without feeling the bad weather.
There are endless options and brands for which you can opt, which vary in price and composition materials. If you are not a regular skier, you may want to rent the clothing and not buy it, as long as the clothing you rent is of quality.
Ideally, it should be equipped with the famous 3 layers: an interior, an insulation layer and an outer or protective layer against the harsh weather.
Healthcare
Some adventure tours in the area have a specific physical requirement, check if in doubt with your doctor.
Packing
Argentinean flights allow, as their restrictions are limited to 33 pounds (15 kg) per person.
Currency
Peso Argentino.
Major credit cards are widely accepted.
Electricity
Argentina: 220 V – 60 Hz.
Plugs Type C / I
Local Taxes
Foodie
In Bariloche the gastronomy option is very varied. The cuisine has managed to blend the most representative of European cooking with the best of regional dishes. Classic recipes receive additional touches such as the taste of pine mushrooms, fine fruits and all kind of berries that make any recipe a specialty. Bariloche also offers the tourist a number of pubs, snack bars, pasta and pizza, as well as international and regional cuisine restaurants.
Swiss and German influence. In Bariloche you can see the strong influence of the early German and Swiss settlers in the local cuisine. Bariloche offers a large selection of restaurants, where you can taste regional dishes such as Patagonian lamb, wild deer and alpine traditional cuisine such as goulash or fondue.
Hand Crafted Beer. There are a number of very popular boutique breweries where you can try a large variety of hand crafted beer. The beer is often accompanied with the typical Argentine “picadas” consisting of chopped pieces of smoked meats, cheeses and other ingredients that are a special delight for the palate.
Tea houses. ‘The tea houses’ are another icon of the city. They offer delicious cakes, hot chocolate, homemade breads and sweets that are part of the ‘snack’ tradition in Bariloche. The tea houses often have spectacular mountain and lake views which create an unforgettable ambience.
Fish and meat. Mouth-watering salmon and trout, plentiful in the Patagonian lakes and rivers, are eaten fresh as well as smoked and accompanied by a range of different sauces.
For the connoisseurs of meat, Patagonian lamb is a national delicacy. Lamb, wild pig and alpine venison are all very popular and highly appealing local dishes.
Of course you will find a large variety of classic dishes like parilla grilled meat, homemade pizza and Italian style pasta dishes that are found throughout Argentina.
Fruits and chocolates. The area produces a large variety of different berries fruit that enable the production of liqueurs, jams and regional sweets. Local made fresh berry ice creams is always a popular treat!
Curanto. Native Indian tribes like the Mapuches and the Araucanos have had a profound influence on the Patagonian region. The curanto (a term standing for hot stone) is a typical dish that has its origins from these native Indian tribes.
The cooking process starts by digging a pit in the ground. River stones are then placed on top of a roaring fire. Once the stones are heated, they are then removed from the fire and placed in the pit. A bed of leaves is arranged on top of the stones. A selection of meats and vegetables are then stacked on top of the leaves.
The food that goes into the curanto typically includes beef, lamb, pork, chicken, chorizos (pork sausages), potatoes, sweet potatoes, apples and hollowed out pumpkins stuffed with cheese, cream and peas. The food is then covered with leaves and damp sheets to keep the heat from escaping. The final step is to cover the damp sheets with soil. This results in turning the whole cooking process into something that resembles a pressure cooker.
After a couple of hours, smoke and steam start billowing out of the ground. The end result is a delicious meal with its own uniqueness which includes a hint of smoke and a slight earthy flavor. You can experience the curanto every weekend at Colonia Suiza for an unforgettable not to be missed lunch.
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Activities
Nahuel Huapi Lake trips
The catamarans that make daily excursions to Victoria Island, the Arrayanes Forest and Puerto Blest sailing through Lake Nahuel Huapi, are a year-round classic.
The highlight is the option that combines Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest. Another option is to navigate to Blest Port, with the option to spend the night in forest, navigate the Frias Lake, or reach Puerto Varas in Chile – which is the incredible Andean Crossing tour.
Rafting
Rivers in the area go through deep valleys and endless forests in the heart of the Andes Mountains, and an amazing way to enjoy this unique landscape is descending on rafting rafts.
If you are looking for a proposal for the whole family, the one floating on the Limay River is the best option due to its calm and crystalline waters, its backwaters and gentle currents.
Another possibility is to navigate the Manso River, which allows you to appreciate all the beauty and magic of the Andean-Patagonian forest.
Another alternative is stand up rafting: up to six people on a giant stand up paddle board, descending the Limay River.
Canopy and Hiking
Bariloche is the main city within the region with the greatest offer of trekking circuits for those who dare to walk through the mountains contemplating its incredible landscapes.
Also, canopy is one of the adventure excursions most requested by tourists, as it proposes another way to discover nature as a family from the canopy of gigantic trees.
Brewery Circuit
Bariloche has about twenty world-class craft breweries. The beer courts propose to taste smoked bites, pizzas and other delicacies, with a wide variety of draft beer.
Otto Hill
It is one of the most classic and unmissable walks in the city: nothing like going up on a cable car to the top of the hill and having tea at its 360º degree revolving tea house. During the summer the excursion allows you to see the city with unique colors of the season.
Catedral Hill
A true amusement park in nature, including activities for children and the family, self-guided trails, cable cars, chairlifts, a restaurant, trekking and mountain bike circuits and sporting events.
During Winter (South Hemisfere) it is the main ski resort in Argentina.
Visit the beaches
The beaches of Bariloche are an excellent option for those looking to fight the summer heat. Some of the most popular are, Bonita Beach, located 8 kilometers away from downtown and Centenario Beach.
Civic Center + Nahuel Huapi Lake waterfront
They are several important buildings with a similar architecture in three blocks that surround the square. There are several viewpoints to sit and take advantage of being in an incredible place, in front of the Nahuel Huapi Lake and the Andes mountain range.
Short Circuit + Colonia Suiza and Campanario Hill
The Short Circuit runs through the main attractions and crosses two parks: the Nahuel Huapi National Park and the Llao Llao Municipal Park. It begins in the center of the city and continues along Bustillo Av., bordering the the Nahuel Huapi lake.
Colonia Suiza was the first Swiss settlement in Patagonia, where now are several restaurants and bars, mostly made of wood and with farm animals around. The most typical activity is to eat “curanto” (Wednesdays and Sundays), which is a dish cooked on a hot pit on the ground.
Moreover, the view you have from the top of Campanario Hill is something spectacular.
Cerro Tronador and the “Black Snowdrift” Hanging Glacier
The Tronador Hill, an active volcano, in the southern part of the Andes Mountains, indicates the border between Chile and Argentina.