San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina: all holiday information, attractions, a guide with photos 2019

Usually when traveling, I tend to get to know the most colorful and authentic corners of each country. Therefore, San Carlos de Bariloche, which is called the "Argentine Switzerland", at first did not bode well for me. However, it turned out that my fears were in vain. Of course, Bariloche really has the most popular ski resort in Latin America, so he got such a flattering name. But the city itself, as well as its surroundings, turned out to be very picturesque, interesting and Argentinean colorful.

How to get there

To get to Bariloche, you first need to fly to the capital of Argentina - Buenos Aires. You can read more about how to do this in a review article about the country. Next, tourists have a choice: domestic flights or a bus. I’ll tell you more about each method in more detail.

By plane

As I wrote above, the easiest way to fly to Bariloche from Buenos Aires. In high season, local airlines also offer direct flights from El Calafate, Rosario, Salta and Brazilian Sao Paulo, but the large selection and reasonable prices of tickets from the capital determine the choice of most tourists.

It is important to remember that there are two airports in Buenos Aires: international (EZE) and domestic (AEP). And each of them offers flights to Bariloche. The choice of airport for departure will mainly depend on the time you can spend on your stay in the capital.

The largest number of flights flies exactly from domestic airport. Flights are offered by Andes, Latam and Aerolineas Argentinas. The cost of return tickets starts from 150 USD. This is a good option if you spend some time in Buenos Aires. But if you just arrived from Russia (of course, to the international airport), and do not have at least 4-5 hours of free time, this option is better to take away, since the airports are quite far from each other.
Departure from the international airport Allows you to avoid the tedious transplant and transfer costs. But such tickets will cost significantly more - from 300 USD in both directions. Compare prices, for example, here. In addition, Argentine Airlines offer only 1-2 flights a day in this direction, so adjusting to your arrival from Russia will be a little more difficult.

Bariloche Airport. How to get to the center

The small Bariloche Airport is 14 km from the city.

Getting to the center is very simple: a city bus number 72 leaves from here every two hours. The ticket price at the time of my trip was a little less than 2 USD. The road to the center takes exactly 30 minutes. You can also take a taxi, which will cost you 20-25 USD.

By bus

Buses are the most popular way to travel throughout the region. You can get to Bariloche with the help of this comfortable transport from many Argentinean cities, as well as from Chile. In my opinion, this is a great way to see the country, if Bariloche is not the only purpose of your trip.

True, the price of this option is almost no different from air travel. For example, a trip from Buenos Aires and back will cost you 160 USD, and in time it will take about 20 hours one way.

Tickets for Argentine buses can be bought in advance online. In this case, they will cost as much as at the box office. But this method gives a huge advantage: you can choose one of the front seats on the second floor, right in front of the panoramic window. Thanks to this feature, a standard trip turns into a fascinating tour of the picturesque roads.

Bus stations Bariloche

Most buses arrive at the bus terminal (Terminal de bus), which is 3 km from the main square. From here you can easily get to the center by public transport or taxi.

Some bus companies have private terminals. For example, Via Bariloche brings tourists to its own station within walking distance from the center.

By car

You can get to Bariloche on a rented car from other cities of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. As far as I know, the situation with Chile is a little more complicated - at the border they require special permission for the car.

Traveling through the incredibly beautiful surroundings of northern Patagonia can be overshadowed by only two circumstances: high rental prices (from 50 USD per day) and a large number of toll roads.

By ferry

You can get to Bariloche by boat from the city of Puerto Montt in Chile. This is a good option for those who want to get to Argentina from the Pacific Ocean. After all, road routes between the two countries run through the Andes, making the trip tiring. Here, tourists are invited to swim on a picturesque lake, enjoying wonderful views. But such a trip will cost a lot - at the time of my trip, prices started from 200 USD.

hint: San Carlos de Bariloche - the time is now 10: 02 October October Time difference: Moscow & plus; 6 Kazan & plus; 6 Samara & plus; 7 Yekaterinburg & plus; 8 Novosibirsk & plus; 10 Vladivostok & plus; 13

When is the season. When is the best time to go?

Speaking about the climate in the southern hemisphere, it is important to remember that their summer falls on our winter, and vice versa. However, I will write about the seasons in the usual sense for us.

By Patagonian standards, the climate in Bariloche is quite mild and resembles the weather in the Alps. For a walk around the city and sightseeing, the warm season (November-March) is suitable. In May-June, a significant amount of snow falls, so in the summer mainly winter sports enthusiasts come here. Thus, Bariloche is attractive to tourists at any time of the year.

San Carlos de Bariloche in the summer

June, July and August are the coldest times in Bariloche. Daytime temperature here almost never exceeds + 5 ° С. In addition, all summer in the region there is snow, which attracts winter sports enthusiasts to the city and the surrounding area.

Perhaps the only advice I would like to give to travelers who come to Bariloche in the summer is to carefully choose their accommodation and give preference to more decent hotels. Unfortunately, budget hostels with thin walls and poor heating cannot provide guests with the desired level of comfort.

San Carlos de Bariloche in the fall

In October, real spring comes in Bariloche. The air warms up to + 15 ° C, snow melts. Due to unstable temperatures and blurry roads, the off-season is considered unpopular with tourists. Therefore, this is a great option for those who want to save money or enjoy privacy.

In November, the dry season begins, when the city is again filled with travelers from all over the world.

San Carlos de Bariloche in spring

In March, the weather is quite warm and dry, the average air temperature is + 10 ° C. But in April you can expect the first snows.

San Carlos de Bariloche in winter

Winter is a great season for tourists who come to Bariloche to explore the city and the surrounding area. The temperature in the winter months can reach + 20 ° C, however, at night it can still be quite cold. This does not stop local residents from swimming and sunbathing on the city beach, while tourists look at them from the warm cafes in bewilderment.

On the eve of Catholic Christmas and New Year, hundreds of tourists from Europe come here, so housing prices and other tourist services soar.

San Carlos de Bariloche - monthly weather

hint: San Carlos de Bariloche - weather for the month of January January + 13.0 February ± 12.6 March ± 10.3 April ± plus 6.8 May ± 4.2 June June ± 1.6 July ± 1.2 August ± 2.0 September September ± 3.5 October ± 6.2 November ± 9.1 December ± 11.3

Areas. Where is better to live

Bariloche is a tiny town that can be easily walked around. However, coming here, tourists often settle outside the city limits. On the map, I divided the neighborhood of the city into conditional areas, which I will discuss in more detail below.

Bariloche Center - This is the first 8-10 streets from the coast. There is practically no further tourist housing, with the exception of a couple of budget hostels and private apartments. As in any tourist cities, it is in the center that you can find the most diverse accommodation: hostels from 20 USD, family hotels from 50, stylish boutique hotels from 100. Compare prices, for example, This is a good option for those who want to always stay in in the thick of events or simply does not have the time to study the outskirts.
The surroundings of the city on the contrary, they are suitable for those who want an isolated vacation. The main type of accommodation here is secluded bungalows and spa hotels with rooms from 90 USD and above. For those who choose one of these hotels, I recommend renting a car at the same time, since public transport in this direction runs regularly, but not very often, and a personal driver will fly you a pretty penny.
Liao Liao, one of the most popular hotels in the region, is located 20 km east of the center of Bariloche. Thanks to its splendid location and good service, it has earned an unshakable reputation. Of course, this could not affect the price - the cost of a room per day here starts from 280 USD. However, in the neighborhood with Liao-Liao there are several more quite worthy hotels with more earthly prices - from 50 USD per day. To book a room, you can try it through booking.

Cerro Catedral is the largest ski resort in South America. Therefore, it is not surprising that many tourists prefer to settle here. In addition, unlike many ski resorts, where housing is prohibitively expensive, you can find many different options at Cerro Catedral. These are mainly cozy bungalows and hotels costing from 40 to 150 USD per day.

What are the prices for vacation

Patagonia is an expensive region, and Bariloche is no exception. The prices for tourist services here are higher than the average Argentinean, and I managed to save only by walking. Another good way to save money is to cook in the hostel and apartments, but it’s quite difficult, because Bariloche has wonderful restaurants where it is so nice to spend evenings.

Detailed prices for travel services in Argentinean pesos can be found on the official website of culture and tourism in Bariloche.

The main attractions. What to watch

Bariloche is a beautiful city. Built of wood and stone, it truly resembles a European settlement in the mountains. They say that in the 30s the leaders of Nazi Germany came to rest here. The author of one of the local guides even claims that Adolf Hitler managed to escape from the Soviet troops and lived in Bariloche until the end of his days. One way or another, this city seems to be a quiet paradise on Earth. But its tiny territory of 3 by 4 meters in size has a modest set of attractions that you can get around in a couple of hours.

On the contrary, the picturesque surroundings of the city keep countless interesting corners, which are not enough for a week to get to know.

Top 5

Central square

The heart of the city is a small area on the lake. Here are concentrated the main administrative buildings, a few museums and the most expensive restaurants, from whose windows a magnificent view of the surroundings opens.

Souvenirs and music are playing on the streets. It would seem that here it is - the long-awaited idyll. But, as in all tourist points, it is worth to beware of deception. For example, while walking in the center, I noticed two beautiful St. Bernards. They cute huddled on a bench, causing violent emotions of tenderness among tourists. But as soon as people took pictures with animals, a man appeared out of nowhere and demanded money for a photograph.

National Park "Nahuel Huapi"

Perhaps this is the most beautiful park in the region. The cleanest conservation area in which it is so easy to feel solitude with nature, observe wild birds and animals, and also take a walk along the most beautiful trails. You can get to the park on your own (admission price is about 15 USD) or as part of one of the tourist groups that offer trekking, bike rides or unforgettable fishing.

If you want to go to the park on your own and spend several days there, before the trip it is better to go to the tourist office in the center of Bariloche, where they will explain the rules for visiting the reserve.

Cerro Tronador

This is the highest point in the area, and it is from here that the most breathtaking views open. The trails are open throughout the year, but I advise you to come here only in fine weather, otherwise you will not see a small fraction of the wonders that open to tourists on clear days.

Mount Tronador is located on the border of Argentina and Chile, so tourists are allowed here only with a guide or as part of an excursion group.

Cerro Catedral

The most popular ski resort attracts thousands of tourists every year, so I just can not help but include it in the list of main attractions. From June to September, life is in full swing here - after all, for guests from the northern hemisphere it is one of the few places in the world where active winter entertainment is available in the midst of summer.

I will definitely tell you more about this resort in the corresponding section.

Swiss colony

The Swiss colony in the vicinity of Bariloche is a controversial attraction. In my opinion, this is a simple tourist attraction that lures guests with goods and products that are not typical for Argentina. On weekends it is very crowded, and the prices in the colony are very high. However, many tourists, including those from Europe, still visit the village with interest, eat sausages in pastry with appetite and take home jars of pickled cucumbers.

Beaches. Which are better

Playa Bonita - the closest beach to Bariloche. In the warmer months, it is crowded with locals and seasoned tourists. But not everyone can swim here, because the water temperature on the hottest days barely reaches + 17 ° C.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Despite the fact that Bariloche is a very tourist city, there are several functioning churches here, the entrance to which is absolutely free. You can safely call the most beautiful Bariloche Cathedral built in the middle of the last century. The rest of the churches are modern wooden chapels.

Museums Which are worth a visit

I can’t say that the Bariloche museums impressed me greatly. But in case you need to pass the time, be aware that this small city offers tourists four different expositions. In addition, the price of a ticket to each museum is only 2-3 USD, which is not a pity to spend on visiting the collections.

Gutierrez Lake Museum (Museo de Lago Gutierrez) - This tiny museum, consisting of only 4 rooms, offers visitors a rather interesting collection of fossils. I’m not sure that they are all genuine, and what kind of skeptic will not cause dinosaur eggs to suspect a miniature regional museum? However, travelers keen on geology and zoology greatly praise this collection.
Museum of Patagonia (Museo de Patagonia) - A small ethnographic museum in the city center that tells about the history, culture, as well as the flora and fauna of the region.
Paleontological Museum - Another small collection of bones and fossils.
Art Gallery "Bosque Neon " - An exhibition of contemporary art from local artists.

Parks

There are no large city parks in Bariloche. On the contrary, this settlement itself is located in an endless series of parks and reserves. Whatever direction you go from the city, you will surely find yourself on a hiking trail, and your eyes will open up more and more breathtaking views.

Tourist streets

The city has a very clearly defined tourist center - this is the main square and several neighboring streets. This is where the majority of restaurants, museums, hotels and souvenir shops are located. The further you move away from these streets, the less tourist infrastructure you will encounter.

What to see in 1 day

When I arrived in Bariloche, I spent too much time getting to know the city itself, which I later regretted more than once. After all, the most wonderful treasures of this region are in the pristine forests and mountains of Patagonia, and not in cute, but artificial wooden houses.

Therefore, if you have only 1 day left, I advise you to go to one of the travel agencies on the central square immediately upon arrival. You may well have time to enroll in a full day tour that will show you the most beautiful places and give you an unforgettable experience. And you will have time to get to know the city in the evening, at dinner in one of the wonderful restaurants.

What to see in the surroundings

The most interesting places in the vicinity I have already described in the Top 5. The remaining 20 parks surrounding Bariloche, I do not want to list, so as not to confuse the reader. The main thing to understand is that the surroundings of Bariloche are an ideal platform for outdoor activities, extreme sports and ecotourism. And what will be called the park, in which you make your unforgettable adventure, does not really matter.

Food. What to try

In general, Bariloche’s cuisine is typical of Argentina and Patagonia - juicy steaks, lamb asado, tart wine. As in other tourist cities of the region, craft beer is brewed here, which tourists willingly buy. But honestly, not one of them was to my taste. Another thing is the vintage beer "Patagonia", which rightly became famous even outside the country.

One of the unusual Patagonian dishes that can be tasted in Bariloche is Curanto - meat baked in a special way directly in the ground. The easiest way to find and try chimes in a Swiss colony.

Recommended Places

Bariloche establishments are a whole culture that can be talked about for hours. I will try to talk about them briefly, and at the same time advise several interesting places.

Budgetary

Unfortunately, there are very few budgetary institutions in the city. Yes, and there lunch will cost you 5-10 USD. Therefore, if you want to save money, it will be easier to buy products in the supermarket and cook at home. But if you want to completely abandon any business on vacation, below I will give a list of establishments with quality fast food and inexpensive meat dishes.

La Casa de la Hamburguesa Bariloche;
Tage
La 10 Empanadas;
El Chiringuito.

Mid level

Mid-level cafes are primarily Argentinean steakhouses. Most establishments play live music, and artists dance tango, sometimes inviting visitors to the dance. All this creates an incredible feeling of comfort in which you completely forget about time. The average bill for two is 30-50 USD.

Alto el Fuego;
Huacho;
La Casita Restaurante;
Rincon Patagonico.

Expensive

Gourmet establishments are considered expensive restaurants in Bariloche. Typically, it serves Italian, Mediterranean and Argentinean dishes, as well as vegetarian dishes. An account for two in one of these institutions starts from 50 USD and can reach infinity.

Butterfly
Il Gabbiano;
Stag;
La Masia.

Holidays

Despite the small territory of the region, quite a lot of interesting festivals and cultural events take place here. Each is celebrated with due scope and is famous for its excellent organization.

Below I will list the most popular holidays with approximate dates, as the exact dates vary from year to year.

Liao Liao Music Festival (Camping Musical en Llao Llao) - mid-January;
Chocolate Festival (Fiesta Nacional del Chocolate) - beginning of April;
Snow Festival (Fiesta Nacional de la Nieve) - end of July / beginning of August;
Collective Festival (La Fiesta de las Colectividades) - the beginning of November.

Security. What to watch out for

In Bariloche you should not be afraid of criminals and robbers. Here you can safely walk at night and wear a camera in any corner of the city. You should beware only of scammers who may raise the price in a store or taxi, or demand a fee for a photo of their dog in the central square. A good tool in this case is a basic knowledge of the Spanish language, which will always help you prove your case. Or at least remember the phrase "Llamo la policia", which means "I call the police."

Things to do

If after exploring the endless beauties of Bariloche you still have time, devote it to pleasant cares. For example, shopping and buying souvenirs.

Shopping and shops

For shopping, you should go immediately to the city center. This is where you will find clothing stores, sporting goods and wine boutiques. True, those who have been traveling in Argentina for some time, Patagonian prices can seriously scare. So my purchases in Bariloche were limited to two magnets.

Bars Where to go

Bars can be found in any area where there are at least a couple of options for tourist accommodation. This gives tourists the opportunity to spend evenings without leaving far from home. Of course, in Bariloche most of the evening venues are designed specifically for tourists. Bars open at 6-7 p.m. and open until 12-1 a.m. In addition to drinks (beer, wine, imported alcohol), many bars offer light snacks or a full dinner.

In Bariloche, I hardly went to bars, preferring a cozy cafe. However, below I will list several establishments that enjoy a good reputation among tourists.

Konna bar;
Antares
Manush;
Wilkenny Bariloche.

Clubs and nightlife

But the night clubs in the city can be counted on the fingers. Apparently, tourists are too tired after active tours and rarely look at such places. However, for those who do not know fatigue at all, I made a complete list of local nightclubs.

Cerebro - A modern night club where only house plays;
Roket - A spacious club with three dance floors;
Genux and Club Pacha - a stylish institution with a futuristic design;
Grisu - perhaps the only club in the city where there are retro parties on weekends;
By pass - A spacious and modern club that is popular with both tourists and locals.

Extreme sports

As I wrote above, in Bariloche there are many opportunities for engaging in extreme types of spot. If in hot summer tourists from Europe find the ideal slopes for skiing and snowboarding, in winter, on the contrary, it’s nice to go rafting, kayaking, kiting, paragliding or go mountain biking. And the rocky massifs in the vicinity of Bariloche are perfect for climbing and climbing almost any time of the year.

You can rent equipment and hire a guide in any travel agency of the city. If you are going to make an adventure yourself, I advise you to first consult in the info center. The fact is that in Patagonia there are quite a few protected areas that require visitors to pre-register.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

In addition to the standard list of Argentinean souvenirs, in Bariloche you can buy products of your own production (honey, variety, beer, chocolate), as well as handmade clothes and jewelry. This is a good option to please loved ones with something truly authentic. But I would advise you to buy traditional souvenirs anywhere, but not in Patagonia: even at the Buenos Aires airport, Argentinean gifts will cost less than in Bariloche.

How to get around the city

In Bariloche itself I was quite able to walk. But to get acquainted with the surroundings, transport is simply necessary. The choice of tourists are offered mini-buses, taxis and rental cars.

Taxi. What features exist

Taxis in the city are quite expensive. For a trip from the airport to the city center (14 km) you will have to pay 25 USD, and to Liao-Liao all 60. Also, the amount of the trip must be discussed with the driver in advance, because only before the trip you can bargain. And, of course, if you do not say the figure out loud before landing, then at the end of the journey it may turn out to be sky-high. Taxis can be caught right on the street, there is no need to call them in advance in such a tourist city.

Buses

Mini-buses are the only means of public transport. They ply the city streets, and also carry passengers to Liao-Liao, the Swiss colony, the airport and many parks. It’s quite easy to sort out the buses: each route is indicated by its number, so it’s enough to ask your hotel reception desk or passers-by on the street how to get to the right place, and in response you will be given all the suitable numbers.

Vehicle rental

If you do not want to adapt to the schedule of public transport, a reasonable choice would be to rent a car. There are rental offices both at Bariloche Airport and in the tourist areas of the city. But remember that the minimum rental period in Argentina is 3 days. And the minimum rental price for this period is 200 USD. You can search for offers in advance on the Internet (for example, here).

San Carlos de Bariloche - holidays with children

In my opinion, to come to Bariloche with children is only if your kids are lovers of winter sports or eco-tourism. Indeed, in the city there is practically no infrastructure for children's entertainment, with the exception of rather modest playgrounds.

Ski vacation

20 km from the center of Bariloche, at an altitude of 1 km above sea level, from June to September runs the largest ski resort in South America - Cerro Catedral. It is popular with tourists from all over the world, and for good reason: in addition to excellent tracks of varying difficulty, there is all the necessary tourist infrastructure (hotels, bars, restaurants and shops), and the vibrant nightlife and numerous festivals give visitors a sense of eternal celebration.

Ski passes

The cost of ski passes in Cerro Catedral is primarily dependent on the season. The resort administration has identified 3 degrees of tourist activity:

Low season (June and September) - at this time, prices start at 50 USD per day for adults and 30 USD for children;
Mid season (early / mid July) - ski passes cost from 65/35 USD for adults and children, respectively;
High season (end of July and August) - Prices start at 75/45 USD per day.

For beginners who are going to ski in the beginner's sector, the resort offers special prices. Also in Cerro Catedral you can buy a subscription for up to 30 days - it will cost significantly less than buying a ticket every time. And for a complete understanding of the prices at the resort, you can find a detailed list of prices last season.

Trails

The territory of Cerro Catedral offers visitors 34 tracks of four difficulty levels. Between them runs about 40 lifts of various types. You can see how the tracks are located in the diagram below.