Bariloche and the Lake District: the portal to the Argentine Patagonia.

At the foothills of the Andes in the province of Rio Negro, hidden in a shimmering network of beautiful lakes and icy mountain peaks, sits the city of San Carlos de Bariloche, the entrance to Patagonia in Argentina. The city of approximately 130.000 inhabitants is the gateway to adventure, relaxation, pure beauty and a haven for tourists and locals alike.

Bariloche's main attraction is the Nahuel Huapi National Park, the oldest Argentinean national park in the Patagonian Andes, whose typical high mountain climate, lake districts and exuberant vegetation means that the city of Bariloche is the perfect host for a huge amount of tours and activities all year round and is suitable for travelers that are looking for both summer and winter vacations. During the winter, Bariloche becomes one of the most important ski centers in South America, therefore, between June to August, hotels are suddenly low on availability and are mainly occupied with the hundreds of Brazilians and Argentineans holidaymakers whom you can find zooming (sometimes rolling) down the snowy slopes of Cerro Catedral. However, during the summer life slows to a gentler pace and travellers can enjoy all sorts of out-door activities getting the maximum enjoyment out of Bariloche’s amazing Patagonian landscapes and lakes.

In the Bariloche surroundings you can enjoy amazing locations such as Playa Bonita, situated only 8kms from Bariloche city; a wonderful tourist location to practice windsurfing, go scuba diving or to simply relax on the sandy shores of the Nahuel Huapi Lake. You can also spend a moment of pure tranquility next to Lake Correntoso Lake Correntoso with only a fishing rod for company or roam the land with different Bariloche excursions to discover stunning panoramic views of famous Bariloche tourist circuits and landscapes such as the 7 Lakes circuit to San Martin de los Andes; the Small and Big Circuit around the Nahuel Huapi lake and National Park; the awe inspiring Cerro Tronador (the highest peak of the Nahuel Huapi Park on the Chilean boarder); the peaceful atmosphere of the Andes whilst sailing on a Bariloche boat tour to Puerto Blest or a guided walking tour through the exceptionally rare Arrayan Forrest at Victoria Island.

Discover the handsome alpine architecture of Bariloche and the picturesque neighbouring towns of El Bolson, Villa la Angostura and San Martin de los Andes, which show their interesting combination of Nordic heritage with Mapuche Indian culture through a variety of traditional and delicious Patagonian products, such as hand-made chocolates from chocolate shops like Mamuschka or Abuela Goye, the traditional Patagonian lamb, home made pastries, organic jams, cheeses, smoked trout or special brew beer. Souvenir lovers will have also fun unearthing the interesting wood arts and handcrafted artisan arts & crafts, Whether you are looking to have an adrenaline pumped adventure, a tranquil moment of calm or a taste bud explosion, Bariloche and its exceptional Patagonian glacial landscape is waiting for your exploration… so take a look at our tours and activities catalog to begin explore deeper into the Nahuel Huapi area and receive a warm welcome to Patagonia!

By Bus: A bus ride from Buenos Aires' Retiro Station will take approximately 20 hours in comfortable coaches that go from standard to sleepers. Meals and drinks are served on board, all have toilets and films are also shown during the trip. Several bus companies cover this route daily: Via Bariloche (Tutto Lutto is the premium service), Andesmar and El Valle.

The International airport of Bariloche former name is Teniente Luis Candelaria, IATA code BRC, is located only 15 kilometers away from the center of town. To book airport shuttle transfer from Bariloche Airport to Bariloche city, click here

Bariloche experiences cool temperate climate with dry, windy summers and rainy winters.

- Summer season: Mid-December to early March, characterized by long stretches of windy, sunny weather, with pleasant afternoons (18°C to 26°C) and cold nights (2°C to 9°C).

- Autumn Season: Colder temperatures in March, then stormier weather in April and May.

- Winter Season: Mid-May to early September bringing stormy weather with mixed precipitation (snow, rain, sleet), occasional snowstorms and highs between 0°C and 12°C, lows between -12°C and 4°C.

- Spring season: Very windy and variable; temperatures may reach 25°C in October and plummet to -6°C following a late-season snowfall.

Accommodation: There is a great range of accommodation to choose from in Bariloche. Whether your preference is a large luxurious spa and resort, a small boutique hotel or a quaint hostel, you will find it all there! If you prefer peace and intimacy, you can also book a cabin at the Nahuel Huapi's shore. However, they are located few kilometers from Bariloche city center so you will need to organise transportation to the downtown area if you would like to take a day excursion. Take into account that during winter season, most of the hotels have minimum night restrictions due to busy ski vacation period.

Car rental: Renting a car is relatively cheap in Bariloche, it costs around USD$50 per day. However, it is recommended to book from Buenos Aires especially of you would like to collect the car from Bariloche airport. There are an abundance of amazing scenic highways which you can drive and explore by yourself in the Bariloche area and by renting a car you can also enjoy a broader number of scenic lodging options outside of the city center.

Please be aware that some routes and circuits, including the 7 lake circuit, are closed during the winter period due to extreme icy conditions on the roads. Car rental agency will be able to give you more advice about the various safe and available routes at the time of your arrival. Click here to receive a car rental quotation in Bariloche.

Don't want to get lost on the roads whilst hiring a car? No problem, there are plenty of tours to choose from that suit every taste and every person. Click here for a great selection of tours in the Bariloche area.