San Carlos de Bariloche travel guide
San Carlos de Bariloche Tourism | San Carlos de Bariloche Guide
You're Going to Love San Carlos de Bariloche
San Carlos De Bariloche is situated in the Río Negro province of Argentina, nestled in the foothills of the Andes. Surrounded by beautiful lakes and mountains, the city is famous for its winter sports.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit San Carlos de Bariloche
1. Skiing
San Carlos De Bariloche has some of the best skiing in Argentina. You can also try ice skating on one of the frozen lakes.
2. Chocolate
San Carlos De Bariloche is famous for its chocolate and has countless varieties sold in stores throughout the city.
3. The Unique Architecture
The city is also renowned for its Swiss-style architecture; you will even see St. Bernard dogs around town.
4. Outdoor Sports
In summer, you can try hiking, kayaking, rafting, horse riding, and lots of other outdoor activities.
5. The Steam Train
Take a day trip along Lake Nahuel Huapi on the Tren Histórico Steam (Historic Steam Train), built in 1912.
What to do in San Carlos de Bariloche
1. Mountaintop Views Of Nahuel Huapi
Accessed by ski lift, the Cerro Campanario, or Bell Tower Hill, features breathtaking views of the Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi. In spring and summer, visitors can delight in seeing the great variety of indigenous plants and flowers. At the peak, hikers can enjoy lunch at La Confitería with views of the Nahuel Huapi and Perito Moreno lakes, Victoria Island, El Trébol lagoon, the San Pedro and Liao Llao peninsula, and the Otto, López, Goye, Catedral, and Capilla mountains, as well as the city of San Carlos de Bariloche.
2. Natural Animal Reserve
Established in 1971, Los Arrayanes National Park is a spectacular nearly seven square mile reserve within the Quetrihué Peninsula on the shores of the Nahuel Huapi Lake. The remarkable 300 to 600-year-old arrayán trees house condors, eagles, hawks and woodpeckers. The wooded area can be accessed by boat from several points of the Nahuel Huapi lake, or on a five-mile hiking or mountain biking trail, which begins at the port of Villa La Angostura. This path, full of ups and downs, showcases pudú and huemul deer, guanacos, mountain monkeys and foxes.
3. Wondrous Water Resorts
A series of seven picturesque lakes, Camino de los Siete Lagos can be viewed on a bus tour from Bariloche to San Martín de Los Andes. The return through the Pampas gives guests a chance to see much of the local fauna. Travelers will also have the chance to stop in Villa Quila Quina, a summer town, which offers one of the best natural water resorts in the heart of Mapuche Curruhinca. At Villa La Angostura, guests can practice sailing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking or fishing from November to April.
4. Endless Ski Slopes
The largest ski resort in South America, Cerro Catedral features over 62 miles of ski runs, and lifts with a capacity to bring 22,200 skiers up the mountain per hour. The area also has a popular trail, which takes hikers to the Frey Refugio, a picturesque lodge on the shores of Toncek Lagoon. Built in granite, the interior of the inn is wood-paneled and features a kitchen and a large dining room with a cozy wood chimney. Dorms on the first floor offer mattresses, blankets and pillows and can comfortably accommodate up to 40 people.
5. Explore Patagonian History
The Francisco P. Moreno Museo de la Patagonia, a natural history and anthropology museum founded in 1940, was designed by architect Ernesto de Estrada. The building was constructed in polished green tuff, cypress and fitzroya and features a slate roof. The museum showcases different exhibits including a collection of fossils and geological treasures, artifacts from the Stone Age, displays of the Mapuche, Yámana, Selknam and Tehuelche cultures, as well as Patagonia history exhibits, which cover the early years of Spanish colonization to the Argentine War of Independence.
1. Mountaintop Views Of Nahuel Huapi
Accessed by ski lift, the Cerro Campanario, or Bell Tower Hill, features breathtaking views of the Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi. In spring and summer, visitors can delight in seeing the great variety of indigenous plants and flowers. At the peak, hikers can enjoy lunch at La Confitería with views of the Nahuel Huapi and Perito Moreno lakes, Victoria Island, El Trébol lagoon, the San Pedro and Liao Llao peninsula, and the Otto, López, Goye, Catedral, and Capilla mountains, as well as the city of San Carlos de Bariloche.
2. Natural Animal Reserve
Established in 1971, Los Arrayanes National Park is a spectacular nearly seven square mile reserve within the Quetrihué Peninsula on the shores of the Nahuel Huapi Lake. The remarkable 300 to 600-year-old arrayán trees house condors, eagles, hawks and woodpeckers. The wooded area can be accessed by boat from several points of the Nahuel Huapi lake, or on a five-mile hiking or mountain biking trail, which begins at the port of Villa La Angostura. This path, full of ups and downs, showcases pudú and huemul deer, guanacos, mountain monkeys and foxes.
3. Wondrous Water Resorts
A series of seven picturesque lakes, Camino de los Siete Lagos can be viewed on a bus tour from Bariloche to San Martín de Los Andes. The return through the Pampas gives guests a chance to see much of the local fauna. Travelers will also have the chance to stop in Villa Quila Quina, a summer town, which offers one of the best natural water resorts in the heart of Mapuche Curruhinca. At Villa La Angostura, guests can practice sailing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking or fishing from November to April.
4. Endless Ski Slopes
The largest ski resort in South America, Cerro Catedral features over 62 miles of ski runs, and lifts with a capacity to bring 22,200 skiers up the mountain per hour. The area also has a popular trail, which takes hikers to the Frey Refugio, a picturesque lodge on the shores of Toncek Lagoon. Built in granite, the interior of the inn is wood-paneled and features a kitchen and a large dining room with a cozy wood chimney. Dorms on the first floor offer mattresses, blankets and pillows and can comfortably accommodate up to 40 people.
5. Explore Patagonian History
The Francisco P. Moreno Museo de la Patagonia, a natural history and anthropology museum founded in 1940, was designed by architect Ernesto de Estrada. The building was constructed in polished green tuff, cypress and fitzroya and features a slate roof. The museum showcases different exhibits including a collection of fossils and geological treasures, artifacts from the Stone Age, displays of the Mapuche, Yámana, Selknam and Tehuelche cultures, as well as Patagonia history exhibits, which cover the early years of Spanish colonization to the Argentine War of Independence.
Where to Eat in San Carlos de Bariloche
Alto El Fuego is an excellent steak restaurant on 20 de Febrero, while Rapa Nui on Mitre is a great place to try out the local chocolate desserts. Expect to pay around AR$200 for a meal in a budget restaurant and AR$400 in a mid-range establishment.
When to visit San Carlos de Bariloche
San Carlos De Bariloche is a popular ski resort and winter is the season for such sports, but summer is also a good time to visit and explore the countryside.
How to Get to San Carlos de Bariloche
Plane
San Carlos De Bariloche International Airport (BRC) has frequent connections to other major cities in Argentina. A taxi into the city costs around AR$150 and the number 72 bus costs AR$12.
Train
There is just one train a week into San Carlos De Bariloche, which runs from Viedma on a Friday; tickets cost AR$180.
Car
Driving to San Carlos De Bariloche from Buenos Aires will take around 22 hours on Ruta Nacional 5. Major roads are in good condition.
Bus
San Carlos De Bariloche has frequent bus connections to Buenos Aires and there is also an international service from Osorno in Chile. The bus from Buenos Aires costs from around AR$900.
Airports near San Carlos de Bariloche
Airlines serving San Carlos de Bariloche
Where to stay in San Carlos de Bariloche
Belgrano - this is an upscale neighborhood close to the center. It is mostly quiet and residential with some good hotels and guesthouses.
Popular Neighborhoods in San Carlos De Bariloche
Playa Bonita - this is a pretty lakeside beach area around five miles from downtown. There are lots of hotels and watersports available from the beach.
Melipal - this is another beautiful lakeside area. It has good shops and lots of cafes and restaurants.
Where to stay in popular areas of San Carlos de Bariloche
Most booked hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche
How to Get Around San Carlos de Bariloche
Public Transportation
The local bus service is good, with fares from AR$2.25 to AR$4.45, depending on the distance traveled.
Taxi
Taxis cost AR$23 for the meter drop and then AR$25 per mile.
Car
San Carlos De Bariloche has good roads and some beautiful driving routes. Car rental is around AR$800 per day.
The Cost of Living in San Carlos de Bariloche
Shopping Streets
The main shopping street is Mitre, with lots of stores selling local produce like smoked meat and cheeses along with the famous chocolate.
Groceries and Other
A quart of milk in San Carlos De Bariloche costs AR$28.50, while a dozen eggs is AR$18.