Bariloche, Argentina

Evergreen city guide with quick facts, travel, business, and culture.

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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.

Lakes & National Park

Lake Nahuel Huapi and Nahuel Huapi National Park — the Circuito Chico, Cerro Campanario's view, Llao Llao, Isla Victoria and the Arrayanes forest.

Skiing & Trekking

Cerro Catedral, one of South America's top ski resorts, in winter; refuge treks (Frey, López), Cerro Otto and mountain biking in summer.

Chocolate & Alpine Town

The log-and-stone Centro Cívico, Calle Mitre's artisan chocolate shops, the Central European settler heritage and craft beer.

Patagonian Adventures

The Seven Lakes Road to San Martín de los Andes, the Andean Lake Crossing to Chile, and fly-fishing, rafting and kayaking.
Travel Overview

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.

Discover Bariloche

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

Bariloche is the heart of the Argentine Lake District in northern Patagonia, famous for its setting on Lake Nahuel Huapi beneath the Andes and the surrounding Nahuel Huapi National Park, the oldest in the country. It is known for skiing at Cerro Catedral, one of South America's biggest resorts; for summer hiking, lakes and viewpoints like Cerro Campanario; and for its 'Argentine Switzerland' character — alpine architecture, artisan chocolate and a craft-beer and fondue food scene. It is also the gateway to the Seven Lakes Road and the Andean crossing to Chile.

Both are excellent, for different things. Winter (roughly mid-June to early October) is the ski season, when Cerro Catedral draws skiers and snowboarders from across South America and the town is at its busiest. Summer (December to March) is ideal for hiking, the Circuito Chico, the lakes, kayaking, fishing and the Seven Lakes Road, with long days and pleasant temperatures. Spring and autumn are quieter, with autumn (March–April) bringing beautiful colour to the forests. The shoulder seasons can have changeable mountain weather.

Drive or cycle the Circuito Chico and ride the chairlift up Cerro Campanario for its famous panorama; take a boat across Lake Nahuel Huapi to Isla Victoria and the Arrayanes forest; sample the chocolate on Calle Mitre and the Centro Cívico in town; and, depending on the season, ski at Cerro Catedral or trek to a mountain refuge such as Frey. With more time, drive the Seven Lakes Road north or do the Andean Lake Crossing to Chile.