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San Carlos de Bariloche: the city's best neighborhoods

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About San Carlos de Bariloche

Including tips for the best time to visit San Carlos de Bariloche

Known as the ‘Switzerland of Argentina’, Bariloche’s mountainous landscapes and Nahuel Huapi Lake, provide the gateway to many of Patagonia’s outdoor adventures. Visitors have flocked to the region’s national parks for decades, with most heading to the Cerro Catedral – one of the southern hemisphere’s largest ski resorts. Alternatively, the beaches of Playa Bonita and Villa Tacul provide glacial swimming, while the area’s Oceanic/Mediterranean climate creates a suitable temperature for Andes hikes up the Lanín and Tronador Volcano.

Translating roughly to the ‘People Behind the Mountain’, Bariloche’s name offers insight into its unique topography. While evidence of cave paintings have been found dating back to the Neolithic period, it would be some time before European explorers managed to conquer the perilous Vuriloche pass. Amid the Araucanization of Patagonia during the 17th century, Spanish colonials gained a foothold in the region, while its residents grappled between Chilean and Argentinian sovereignty. The German expansionism of the 1930s triggered the beginnings of Bariloche’s tourist boom, transforming the land with modern infrastructure and hotels.

Renowned for its traditional Swiss-German architecture, Barichole offers quaint Alpine structures atypical of wider Argentina. After a day on the slopes, explore the chocolatiers of Bartolomé Mitre to find European chateaus serving warm cocoa, while elsewhere the Centro Cívico Bariloche is a historic town hall featuring a museum showcasing the history of the region’s indigenous people.

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Most popular time to visit October-December
Cheapest time to visit January-March
Local currency USD
Language Spanish
Average weekend price $85 per night
Average weekday price $90 per night
Average stay 2 nights

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San Carlos de Bariloche reviews

What other travelers say about San Carlos de Bariloche

10

The town itself is fine, with a wealth of chocolate shops...

April 1, 2025

The town itself is fine, with a wealth of chocolate shops and touristy shopping. The reason you have to go there, though, is the stunningly beautiful nature near the town. The landscape with its lakes, islands, and mountains is among the most beautiful I've ever seen.

Joerg
Joerg Germany
10

The town and Bariloche and the surrounding area are real...

February 16, 2025

The town and Bariloche and the surrounding area are real worth the trip. The circuit of the 7 lakes, with the amazing vistas at every step, the many waterfalls and hiking trails, the lake beaches, the wildflowers, you could stay in the area for months and not get bored if you love the outdoors. And even if you're not the most avid outdoors person here you can become one. Don't need to think much about where to go, just pick a place, cause you won't be disappointed :) The food is good, the chocolate and ice cream amazing, and people are nice and welcoming. Be careful when driving though, there are many speed restrictions in the town and even outside, and it's easy to get a speeding ticket (fortunately we were warned as soon as we got there). And on the winding roads in the mountains there could be cows or horses walking freely. So be mindful of your surroundings and pay attention to the speed limit.

Jaincity
Jaincity Canada
10

I stayed for 6 days which was the perfect balance of intense...

January 13, 2025

I stayed for 6 days which was the perfect balance of intense hiking, relaxing on the beach, and enjoying the Bariloche gastronomy. Downtown during the summer is made for tourists and offers a lot of tours and excursions that are impossible to miss out on. There are a hundred and one chocolate stores (Rapa Nui, Mamushka) and artisinal breweries (Patagonia or Ogham). The bus transportation system is a great and economic way of getting around Bariloche. You can recharge your SUBE card (valid for transport across Argentina) at any Kiosk or at the Tourism secretary office (they only recharge with Mercado Pago or credit card). The buses don't go to circuito chico, so you can bike, rent a car, or walk. The nature and scenery is breath-taking.

Maria Castillo
Maria Castillo United States
10

Just a must-go place to know the Argentina's Patagonia.

December 10, 2024

Just a must-go place to know the Argentina's Patagonia. Other patagonic cities will complement the experience for sure, but Bariloche probably has the best diversity of travel features to offer (nature, amazing scenery, good gastronomy, etc.)

Anibal
Anibal Argentina
8.0

Good value restaurants

September 21, 2024

Good value restaurants Impossible to change money at airport and to change money in the town. After 3 hours of trying banks, cambios and hotels we had to use the people hustling you to change money on the street which was very daunting.

Saffron
Saffron United Kingdom
10

Great tours of lakes and historic monuments, hotel.

August 14, 2024

Great tours of lakes and historic monuments, hotel. My sons enjoyed skiing at Cerró Caredral. The natural beauty of Bariloche is stunning. We visited in winter, would love to try it in the spring or summer.

Ariela
Ariela

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