BARILOCHE

Another great destination to visit in Argentina without a doubt is San Carlos de Bariloche, in the south of the country, located in the province of Río Negro. It is exactly in the Nahuel Huapi National Park in the southwest of the province, next to the Andes mountain range.

It is the most visited site in Patagonia, receiving around a million tourists annually. The strongest season is usually in winter since many people go skiing (it is considered by some sources to be the second most visited ski resort in the world and the largest in South America). Although we really recommend visiting Bariloche also in summer, it is spectacular. Its lakes, forests, mountains...

But, let's start from the beginning…

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL?

If you are a ski lover, between July and September (if you want to have a combination of warmer weather, it is best to go closer to September). If you want to explore its incredible landscapes or go fishing, we recommend going in spring/summer. As it cools down at night, a good option is to go more towards December/January. It is usually quite hot during the day, but you have a better chance of having a slightly warmer night. Otherwise, at night it usually cools down a lot.

TRANSPORTATION

Depending on where you come from, you can go by car or by plane. If you are going by plane, it is best to rent a car at the airport and you can return it right there. The distances in Bariloche between each point of interest are long and without a car it makes it harder to move.

WHERE TO STAY?

If you go in summer, the most beautiful and safe place is inside Arelauquen. But it depends a lot on your budget. If you go with your partner, family or friends, and you are more comfortable with the budget, we recommend checking availability here.

Another alternative is to rent a house. In this case, avoid taking valuable items as you are more exposed.

You also have other hotels and hostels offers, we recommend that you look for some near the center, ideally on Avenida Bustillo and if they have water view, even better.

If you go skiing in winter, without a doubt it is best to stay at "la base" (the base of the mountain). So you are near the ski center.

Now, let's check out some places that you cannot miss:

FAVORITES TO VISIT

If you can rent a boat and sail along the NAHUEL HUAPI you will not regret it. You can go fishing or simply enjoy the peace of the lake and see the incredible view that surrounds you. Take a few things to drink and snack and you can spend a few hours in total peace.

The best thing is to get to ISLA VICTORIA, which has some very cool little beaches. It also has a natural reserve.

There are several waterfalls in different places, one that is very pretty and where you can jump from is the LOS ALERCES WATERFALL.

LAKE GUILLELMO, another place to go to see impressive transparent waters and enjoy the peace. You also have LAKE FRÍAS, MASCARDI and LAKE GUTIERREZ. The latter is usually more populated because access to water is super easy from the road.

If you go to LAKE MORENO you have PLAYA SIN VIENTO on one side and PLAYA DEL VIENTO on the other. And an activity that you can do that leads to this lake is to walk through the BOSQUE DE LOS ARRAYANES (it is approximately 20 minutes walk to the lake).

If you have time, another lake we recommend is LAKE STEFFEN! Access is paid but it is well worth it.

Another activity to do with time is the CAMINO DE LOS 7 LAGOS (THE 7 LAKES PATH) and discover each one of them. This road is the one that connects Villa La Angostura with San Martín de los Andes and is approximately 110 kilometers long. The lakes to see are: Espejo, Correntoso, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Machónico and Lacar.

If you take this route, there are 2 unmissable stops: MIRADOR LAGO ESPEJO GRANDE and CASCADA ÑIVINCO (mark the waterfall on maps before leaving because there is no phone signal there).

Another great activity to do is to go to CERRO TRONADOR. The road is long and you have to do it by car. Check out the schedules because the road is only one way first and then only one back, therefore they have time slots in which you can go up or down. To find the spot, on the map you have to check that you are going to the campsite "Los Rápidos" (because otherwise it will not find it) and from there you can go up from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Then you can go down from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The entrance is ticketed and if you have a student card you have a discount.

Along the way there are a couple of places to eat something, like at the Los Rápidos campsite (for super fast food options.) or Pampa Linda. If you get to the top you have another place right there that has very good cakes and sandwiches! (among other things). On the way to the hill you have different places to stop and enjoy the view.

Another panoramic spot to visit is CERRO CAMPANARIO. You can do the "CIRCUITO CHICO" and finish up on the Hill. The ways to explore it can be by car, walking, or bike. There are so many cyclists everywhere. But be careful: the climbs are very long.

If go through the Circuito Chico, in the VILLA TACUL zone you can spot different pathes that take you to small beaches and that are usually with no people at all. Or you can go to most popular spots like BAHÍA DE LOS TRONCOS, LAGO ESCONDIDO.

If you want to go to the beach you can go to CAMPING LOS BAQUEANOS, you have to pay a ticket to enter but that helps to have less people there.

Don't miss visiting the renowned LLAO LLAO hotel, where you can also eat something. A more accessible and relaxed option within the hotel is the Bechamel Club House.

If you have the time, take a little longer trip and visit VILLA LA ANGOSTURA (it is best to go spend the day as it's nearly 2hs away). If you go you can have lunch at the Mirador Social Club or lunch/coffee at La Casita de la Oma (try the lomito and cheese croissant, the carrot cake and the apple cake). Other good spot for croissants: Madre Bakery.

FAVORITE #GUESTBITES TO EAT

BELLEVUE

It opens at tea time. They have waffles with "dulce de leche" and some delicious cakes, especially the one with red fruits. In addition, they have salty options like our chosen: "pantomate" with raw ham.

The view is one of the best in Bariloche, with its gardens full of flowers and colors. They do not accept reservations, you can sit by order of arrival. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays it is closed to the public.

They have a hotel so you can also stay here!

Another recommended places for tea time: CHIADO, BLEND or the AROMA CAFETO food truck.

CASIS

It is a beautiful house near Lake Gutierrez. Ernesto and his family host you and show you around. Right there you have the garden and the house where they live. You have to book in advance. The attention is great, and they sell homemade jams and dressing.

LAS MORILLAS

Located on Avenida Bustillo. From the window you can see a beautiful view while you eat some delicious dishes. We recommend: The trout with leeks' cream and potatoes; pasta, and more. The attention is really good.

STAG

Near Las Morillas, also on Bustillo avenue, but going down towards the water side. It is literally on the lake. One of the best views and the food is great. The stuffed caramelis are THE dish on the menu. And the crème brūlée for dessert too. Although the menu rotates. You can also stay in one of their cabins as they have a hotel called Charming.

PUNTO PANORÁMICO

As its name says (Panoramic Point), you have a high deck with another of the best views. You can eat everything (fish, pizza, hamburgers, salads…) and a little higher up there is a bar. The dishes are abundant, depending on how hungry you are, we recommend ordering several starters and then sharing main courses. The attention is very good.

Our favorite #GuestBites: Pumpkin soup and vegetable risotto.

EL BOLICHE DE ALBERTO

The best "parrilla" (grill/barbecue)! They also have pasta.

EL MALLIN

The best place of all in relation to price/quality.

It is more of a tavern style, it is located on Av. Bustillo, food is spectacular and there is a lot of variety.

Chosen #GuestBites:

-Starters: The mozzarella sticks with spicy sauce, the trout bruschetta with herb foccacia, the "Cazuela del Bosque" (foccacia, mushrooms, blue cheese and poached egg), the "provoleta" with basil pesto, the shrimp cones and the lamb sweetbreads in breadcrumbs panko.

-Main courses: "Bondiola" with black beer with mashed potatoes, cabbage salad and dijon vinaigrette; grilled trout with teriyaki, humita puree, caramelized onion and roasted tomatoes; Rib eye in herb butter with potatoes (or mashed potatoes) and "criolla" vinaigrette; vegan tacos with beans, mixed greens, tomato, cucumber and peanut pesto; grilled organic halloumi with green leaves, grated carrot, tomato, quinoa, black olives and green sauce; spring spätzle (Hungarian gnocchis, tomato, carrot, greens, vinegar and peanuts).

In addition, the soups are awesome, and they have other dishes such as fish and risottos.

FOCO FUEGOS

From the same owners as El Mallín. They provide other experiences besides gastronomy in the same space.

Another fire / grill proposal: MADURADO. It has a water view from all the tables.

Some with a higher budget but delicious: LA MASIA, ÁNIMA, QUETRO OR QUIVEN.

You can also eat something in hotels like LLAO LLAO (previously detailed) or VILLA BELUNO.

For some delicious croissants: PAJARO AZUL MEDIALUNERA.

For ice cream: FAUNA.

For a good hot dog: ARROYO LOPEZ (by the Circuito Chico).

For good pizzas: PIZZA LUIGUI'S OR LUPINO BAKERY.

To buy seasonal fruit: The FRUTAS FINAS DEL CRUCE stand.

If you are looking to eat delicious food, with a view of the water and also enjoy other experiences:

FUEGOS DE PATAGONIA

Its main concept is to provide a premium experience with excellent food, drinks, good music, activities and services, in direct connection with nature, on the shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake.

You can choose to eat indoors with great views, outdoors on desks or mats or go down to the beach where you will find more spaces to rest, Tipi Tents and direct access to the water.

It offers different experiences, such as massages, yoga, Wim Hof meditation, and events that invite you to contemplate the sunset with music and cocktails. In their profile you can find news and the agenda for each day.

You can reach there by land or by water with private boats to its dock.

The main idea is to always connect with nature and promote well-being and sustainability as a fundamental basis. This lifestyle is the tip of the iceberg of a real estate construction project that is being launched, and Fuegos will be the organic part of that experience: Lake Hue Residences, Lodge & Marinas.

“Enjoy the natural: the lake, the nomadic, the spontaneous and the community.”