San Carlos de Bariloche – Argentina (Patagonia)
One can find it all in Bariloche… mountains and lakes, a dry summer and snowy winter, natural beauty year round and an abundance of different activities for each season. The city itself stands out with its unique stone and wood architecture, giving it a Swiss Alps feel. It’s famous for its chocolate and artisan beer produced in multiple cervecerías. Bariloche is also considered the capital of adventure tourism in the country. Activities include: rafting, canopy, trekking, horseback riding, mountain biking, lake kayaking, scuba diving, fishing, snowboarding, skiing, paragliding and skydiving.
One of the views in the Circuito Chico, Bariloche.
Highlights:
:: Nahuel Huapi National Park: With more than 700,000 hectares, the park is filled with lakes, rivers, glaciers, rapids, valleys, forests, mountains, snow capped volcanoes, and a variety of animal species. It contains lots of well maintained hiking trails, that wander through the dense, green, old-growth forests. Many of the trails are interlinked by refuges where you can get food, drinks and a bed or place to camp. Cerro Frey is considered by many as the best 1-2 days trekking in Bariloche. The main center for climbing is the spires and solid rock faces surrounding Refugio Frey, near Cerro Catedral. Not all of the refugios are open year-round, so it is important to check with the local climbing association Club Andino that offers detailed information and hiking registration.
:: Circuito Chico: it’s a beautiful circular route offering interesting sights, like beaches, lakes, forest, mountains. Some people do it by bicycle although it’s not a beginners bike ride. You can also do it by car or, in summer, combining public transport with walking.
:: Cerro Campanario: Enjoy the scenic chairlift as it takes you to the summit. From there you can see one of the most beautiful and fascinating views of the region.
:: Colonia Suiza: little pinturesque town that offers curanto on Sundays. Yummy!
Curanto in Colonia Suiza, Bariloche.
:: Cerro Catedral: Considered to be one of the best ski resorts in South America, it is fully equipped with 67 km of skiable terrain and runs of up to 4 km in length. It is also a cool place to visit outside of ski season.
:: Cerro Tronador: Visit the black glacier (ventisquero negro), see the Cerro Tronador and a waterfall over an overhanging cliff named Saltillo de las Nalcas. To get there you can take a 2hr bus where you have to hike the last 7 km to the glacier, which is a beautiful experience as there is a hiking trail and the road shows amazing landscape. There are also tourist buses that take you right to the sights.
:: Villa La Angostura: A beautiful, classy, yet rustic village, located some 80 km north of Bariloche on the northern shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake. From here you can access the famous Bosque de Arrayanes and the Seven Lakes Route.
Where to sleep in Bariloche
PERIKO’S YOUTH HOSTEL – Budget Category
Located only three blocks from the main street and only four from Nahuel Huapi lake and its beaches, Hostel Perikos has the perfect location to explore Bariloche’s outdoor activities as well as the happening night scene.
In a traditional mountain refuge style house, the cozy hostel has all wood furniture and large, comfortable communal areas as well as private doubles and twin rooms (private or shared bath), two six bed dorms (private bath), and three quads (private and shared bath).
As well as group dinners within the hostel and a kitchen for guest use, you can take advantage of special drinks promotion invitations outside the hostel and bilingual staff can recommend a range of activities including rafting, kayaking, horse riding, paragliding, ski and snowboarding, boat trips and road tripping Route 40.
The hostel also offers 24 hour check in and a laundry service is available.
Address & contact
Morales 555, Bariloche
Tel. +54 294 4522326
[email protected]
www.perikos.com
periko's
HOTEL 7 LAGOS – Flashpacker & Midrange Category
Skip the hostel tonight and head to Hotel 7 Lagos. It’s right in the center of Bariloche, with beautiful views of the Nahuel Huapi Lake and the cathedral, and an excellent value for the money!
Rooms can be single, double, twin, triple, quadruple and all have its own TV, telephone and private bathroom (with a bath!). They all have great springbox mattresses, soft linen and towels, heaters and Wi-Fi.
Hotel 7 Lagos has options for all kind of travellers: from travellers on a budget to people who don’t mind spending a bit more to enjoy the comfort of a superior room.
You’ll be impressed by the great view from your room (accessible by an elevator!). Depending on the specific room you may see the lake or even Victoria Island!
A hearty buffet breakfast is included in the price of your stay. Luggage storage, laundry service, on-site bar and parking are also available. Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Hebrew spoken.
Address & contact
Perito Moreno 534, Bariloche
tel. +54 294 4422244
[email protected]
www.hotel7lagos.com
7 lagos
HOPA HOME HOSTEL & BAR – Budget Category
Its young and social bilingual staff will personally make sure that you have a blast at Hopa Home Patagonia Hostel & Bar. The location is superb, with the lake and Bariloche’s main street at just one block away and with a supermarket at the corner.
The hostel’s included breakfast with homemade white and brown bread and jams, drinking yoghurt, cereals, eggs and fruits is something guests brag about, as well as the hostel’s tidiness and well-equipped kitchen.
At night you’ll pass out in a second in the comfy dorms (with lockers, one female dorm), in the double or quadruple ensuite rooms, or in the triple room with shared bathroom (privates: TV and towels).
Hopa home is a peaceful and relaxed hostel but if you feel the urge to be active there’s a ping pong table and a happening social bar where activities and games are organised!
Address & contact
Onelli 125, Bariloche
tel. +54 294 4432639
[email protected]
www.homehostel.com.ar
hopa home
LA JUSTINA HOSTEL – Budget Category
La Justina Hostel is located steps away from Bariloche’s shopping street, main square and lake. Although it’s situated very close to the city centre, its street is calm and quiet allowing for a good night’s rest.
The colourful hostel has a nice garden with bbq grill, a living room and a multi-use space, but the hostel’s real heart is the kitchen which is ample, bright and fully equipped.
This is the place to socialise and make friends from all over the globe. No huge dorms at La Justina Hostel, just 3 or 4 beds. The private rooms are spacious and nicely decorated: double rooms (ensuite or shared bath) and, a 5 bed/2 bedroom ensuite room, perfect for a family or small group.
Enjoy your time at this intimate hostel with its helpful warm-hearted bilingual owner Agustina. Yummy brekkie included! Open all year.
Address & contact
Quaglia 726, Bariloche
tel. +549 294 4654768
[email protected]
www.lajustinahostel.com.ar
la justina
Activities in Bariloche
EXTREMO SUR – Rafting & Kayak
Don´t leave Bariloche without a big shot of adrenaline provided by Extremo Sur, whose office is located in downtown Bariloche. Founded in 1991 it’s one of the most professional and experienced rafting and kayak companies in all of Patagonia.
From September to April you should hop on a raft or get in a kayak or ducky (inflatable kayak) on the Río Manso to tackle its rapids while going through narrow canyons and admiring the lush vegetation and surrounding mountains.
Floating in a raft, a calm and relaxed way to go down the river, or stand-up rafting, a new super fun and challenging hype, are both amazing alternatives. These activities are possible all year on the Río Limay and ideal to observe the impressive rock formations, birds, guanacos and deer of the Patagonian steppe.
Get ready for an extreme amount of fun with Extremo Sur!
Address & contact
Morales 765, Bariloche
tel. +54 294 4427301
[email protected]
www.extremosur.com
extremo sur
TURISUR – Boat tours on Bariloche’s lakes
Turisur is the leading company for navigating Bariloche’s majestic lakes with state of the art catamarans and a multilingual crew that speak Spanish, English and Portuguese.
Turisur’s boat journeys:
Victoria Island & Bosque de Arrayanes: This is one of Bariloche’s emblematic places. Guests will sail on the “Modesta Victoria”, Turisur’s historical & glamorous flagship, built in 1937 and chosen by many celebrities, such as Barack Obama.
Puerto Blest & Los Cantaros Waterfall: Sail along the most impressive arm of the Nahuel Huapi Lake, “el Brazo Blest”, with the possibility of exploring the banks of Lago Frías.
Andean Crossing: Bariloche <-> Puerto Varas (Chile): Guests will cruise along the Nahuel Huapi (Brazo Blest), Frías & Todos los Santos lakes. It’s an unforgettable way to travel between the two countries! Also possible for cyclists!
Puerto Blest & Los Cantaros Waterfall and the Andean Crossing tours are operated exclusively by Turisur! Buy your ticket at their offices in downtown where you can also organize all of Bariloche’s traditional tours and adventure activities!
Tickets/tours & year round special promo deals also bookable via their website by credit card: www.turisur.com.ar!
Booking at Turisur means you’re buying it directly from the boat tour operators.
Address & contact
Mitre 219 & Mitre 150, Bariloche
tel. +56 294 4426109/110/112
[email protected]
www.turisur.com.ar
turisur
turisur
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