Overview
Bariloche (San Carlos de Bariloche) is the alpine-flavoured capital of the Argentine Lake District in northern Patagonia — set on the shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi beneath the Andes, famous for its national park and lakes, its skiing at Cerro Catedral, its Swiss-style architecture and chocolate, and as the gateway to Patagonia's Seven Lakes route and the Andean crossing to Chile.
Travel
San Carlos de Bariloche, usually just called Bariloche, is the heart of the Argentine Lake District and one of the country's most beloved destinations — a mountain town on the southern shore of the vast, island-strewn Lake Nahuel Huapi, ringed by the snow-capped peaks of the northern Patagonian Andes. Settled around the turn of the 20th century by Central European, especially German, Swiss and Italian, immigrants, it earned the nickname “the Argentine Switzerland” and still wears it: the landmark Centro Cívico and many of its buildings are built in a distinctive log-and-grey-stone alpine style, the main street is lined with artisan chocolate shops, and the cooking runs to fondue, smoked trout and venison and craft beer. But the real draw is the surrounding landscape, almost all of it within the Nahuel Huapi National Park — the oldest national park in Argentina — a wonderland of deep blue lakes, southern beech (lenga and coihue) forests, waterfalls and mountains. In winter (roughly June to September) Bariloche is South America's premier ski destination, with Cerro Catedral, one of the largest and best resorts on the continent, on its doorstep. In the warmer months it becomes a paradise for the outdoors: hiking and trekking to mountain refuges, the classic Circuito Chico scenic drive, the chairlift up Cerro Campanario to one of the most famous viewpoints in South America, kayaking and sailing on the lakes, fly-fishing for trout, mountain biking and horse riding. It is also the southern gateway to the legendary Ruta de los Siete Lagos (Seven Lakes Road) north to San Martín de los Andes and the starting point for the spectacular boat-and-bus Andean Lake Crossing to Puerto Varas in Chile. With chocolate-box scenery, year-round adventure and an easy alpine-resort atmosphere, Bariloche is the natural base for exploring northern Patagonia.
Bariloche sits on the shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi, a huge, deep, glacial lake of long fjord-like arms and forested islands, at the centre of the national park of the same name — the oldest in Argentina, created in 1934. The classic introduction is the Circuito Chico, a scenic loop west of town past viewpoints, beaches and the grand Llao Llao hotel on its forested peninsula between two lakes. Halfway along, a chairlift (or a short steep walk) climbs Cerro Campanario, whose summit gives a celebrated 360-degree panorama over the lakes, peninsulas and peaks — often rated among the finest views in the world. From Puerto Pañuelo, boats sail across the lake to Isla Victoria and the Bosque de Arrayanes, a rare forest of cinnamon-barked arrayán trees, and to wild Puerto Blest and the emerald Lago Frías near the Chilean border. Further afield, the road south leads to the foot of Cerro Tronador, the area's highest peak, and its Ventisquero Negro (“black glacier”) and the Cascada Los Alerces waterfall. Lakes, beaches, forests and viewpoints make the park the reason most people come.
Frequently asked questions
Tourism & destination guides
Visaja keeps this page's contact details and visa guidance under continuous review — still, requirements can change at short notice, so confirm the essentials with the mission or the official government portal before you travel.