Travel Tips | Bariloche (Eng.)

TRAVEL TIPS

BARILOCHE

OVERVIEW TRANSPORTATION TO STAY WHERE TO EAT SHOPPING VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES WHERE COMPRAS ONDE FICAR ONDE COMER

OVERVIEW San Carlos de Bariloche, a city in the province

(June 21st to September 20th) mean snow,

of Rio Negro in Argentina, is situated in the

wind, and cool temperatures, seeing days

middle of the Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi

between 2° C (36° F)and 10° C (50° F). At night

on the shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake. The city

the temperature falls below zero, however

which is surrounded by mountains and forests

even in the winter Bariloche sees many sunny

is one of the most beautiful cities in Argentina.

days The summer (January 21st to March 20th) offers warm and sunny days with temperatures

The city is famous for skiing, but it is also

that range from 2° C (36° F)at night up to 30°

great for sight-seeing, practicing water sports,

C (86° F) during the day. The autumn (March

trekking and climbing. Another claim to fame

21st to June 20th) and spring (September 21st to

is its Swiss-like atmosphere and its chocolate

December 20th) are transition seasons with a

boutiques. Look for the St Bernard dogs on

mix of sunny and rainy days.

display for tourists.

During the winter Bariloche turns in a skiing Bariloche was built next to the cold water

wonderland, proudly claiming to be one of the

Nahuel Huapi Lake. The climate in this region

best places to ski in all of Argentina and even

varies significantly between seasons. Winters

Latin America, comparable to the Swiss Alps.

DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS BARILOCHE

In the summer, trout and salmonidae fly-fishing and sports recreation (especially hiking, river rafting and walks around ancient forests, as well as climbing most of the peaks surrounding the city) are some of the activities enjoyed by visitors to this wonderful city. So, if you plan to go skiing, the best time for a visit is the winter.

If, however, your interest is in exploring the beautiful country-side surrounding the city, the best time to visit is in the late spring, the summer, and the early autumn.

where most municipal offices and tourism services, such as the information centre are located. It is the headquarters of the Nahuel

TRANSPORT Bariloche has an international airport equipped to receive any kind of aircraft. Several of Argentina’s most important airlines maintain regular flights to the city, as well as some

Huapi National Park and also houses the Museo de la Patagonia Perito Moreno.

CERRO CATEDRAL (CATHEDRAL MOUNT) During the winter, the first snowfalls announce the beginning of the ski season and the practice of winter sports at mythical Cerro Catedral, considered one of the most important

international lines from neighbouring countries,

ski resorts in the country. The ski centre has

especially during the ski season.

a skiable area of 2 km² (0.77 square miles), over 100 km (62 miles) of ski runs, and a lift capacity of 22,200 skiers per hour. It is located

ATTRACTIONS BARILOCHE CATHEDRAL It was built in 1946, under the name Nuestra

19 km from Bariloche.

NAHUEL HUAPI LAKE Several boat excursions across Nahuel Huapi Lake leave from Puerto San Carlos or Puerto Pañelo at Llao Llao and take passengers to

Señora del Nahuel Huapi (St Mary of Nahuel

Isla Victoria and the Bosque Arrayanes. The

Huapi), has been declared a National

excursions begin with a 30-minute sail to Isla

Historical Monument.

Victoria, where passengers can disembark for

BARILOCHE’S CIVIC CENTER

a walk through the forest or ascend on a chair lift to a lookout point atop Cerro Bella Vista.

On Avenida Juan Manuel de Rosas and Panzoni,

The second stop is Península Quetrihué and the

it is a charming stone-and-wood complex

Bosque Arrayanes, famous for its concentration of the unusual terra-cotta-coloured arrayán tree.

CIRCUITO CHICO

CERRO LÓPEZ (MOUNT LÓPEZ)

It’s a tour that most visitors do when they visit

In late spring, summer, and early autumn you

Bariloche. This beautiful 62 km tour starts at

can trek to the mountain shelter on the top

the Civic Centre and goes around Nahuel Huapi

of Cerro López. It takes about 3 hours to get

Lake as far as Moreno Lake. The tour takes

there and can be quite tiring, but the views

about half a day.

Nahuel Huapi Lake and the surrounding area

CERRO OTTO (MOUNT OTTO) It’s a lookout area high above Bariloche and can be reached by bus and cable car. The

are impressive. There is also a little Swisslike tourist village called Colonial Suzie nearby which is worth a visit.

round trip costs about 50 pesos or about 30

CERRO CAMPANILI

pesos one way. Of course, you can always

You can take ski-lift up the mountain, or

hike of take a mountain bike. Cerro Otto is

hike up a steep trail that departs near the

about 9km from the centre of Bariloche. There

bottom of the lift. This is another peak on

is a rotating restaurant at the top of Cerro

with spectacular views. It has a non-revolving

Otto which has some impressive views of the

restaurant at the top.

region. There are also some nice hiking trails behind the restaurant.

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LOS SITE LAGOS (THE SEVEN LAKES)

sand. You can also visit Saltillo de las Nalcas

It’s well-worth taking an all-day bus tour to see

near the village of Pampa Linda. Saltillo de las

the seven picturesque lakes between Bariloche

Nalcas is a cascade consisting of two waterfalls

and San Martin de Los Andes. The tour stops

of approximately 40 metres each.

for lunch at San Martín de los Andes, and the return trip passes through the arid Pampas

HIKING, RAFTING, AND KAYAKING

giving visitors a glimpse of its unique fauna.

Bilingual local mountain guides can be

CERRO TRONADOR (MOUNT TRONADOR)

contracted to lead groups for a hike in the Nahuel Huapi National Park, while several agents offer rafting on the grade Rio Limay or

It was named after the avalanches that

the grade III/IV Rio Manso. There are a number

thundered down the mountain sides and were

of outfitters that organize full day rafting tours

loud enough to be heard miles away. It is 3,478

with lunch included. Another option is to take a

metres high and is the highest peak in Nahuel

kayaking tour and explore crystal clear waters

Huapi National Park. On your way to Cerro

of the lakes and rivers around Bariloche.

Tronador you will passManso River Glacier, better known as “Ventisquero Negro” (Black Snowfield), since it is covered with earth and

HORSE RIDING It’s also possible to visit Nahuel Huapi National Park on horseback accompanied by an English,

DINING OUT

Spanish, or German-speaking guide.

HISTORICAL STEAM TRAIN

Bariloche offers first-class gastronomical services and many visitors are pleasantly

The Historical Steam Train departs from the

surprised to learn of the plentiful and

train station in Bariloche and takes passengers

excellent dining options in the area,

on a full-day journey into the steppe aboard

including steakhouses, smoked meat houses,

a train pulled by a 1912 Scottish locomotive.

restaurants serving international cuisine,

The awesome sight of the Nahuel Huapi

pasta and pizza places, and pubs. There is

Lake marks the first part of the ride aboard

something for everyone.

the historical steam train. Its first stop at the Ñirihuau station brings passengers to the imposing sight of the Catedral and Tronador peaks. The next stop is Blos Juncos (Perito Moreno) station where you can visit the old railway buildings and take a walk to the Los Juncos lagoon. And then it’s back to Bariloche on the last leg of a journey that makes you feel close to the history of the pioneers of the Argentinean Patagonia.

WHERE TO STAY Because of the high tourism numbers, Bariloche offers many quality accommodation options.

Budget accommodation quickly gets fully booked, so it’s advisable to make your reservations in advance, particularly during high season.

DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS BARILOCHE

Parrillas, Argentinean steakhouses serve some of the best barbequed beef in the world. And Bariloche’s smoked wild game restaurants serve excellent venison, wild boar, and salmon.

In Bariloche, many restaurants can also be found that specialize in Swiss dishes such as fondues, raclettes and pierrades.

Desserts are a local specialty, mostly the numberless variety of chocolates.

SHOPPING As in most small towns, a good part of Bariloche’s commerce found on its main street, Mitre Street, where travellers will find local specialties such as, cheeses, jams, handcrafts, knitwear and a variety of souvenirs.

The city hosts an amazing number of shops where they produce and sell a large variety of chocolate. Some of the chocolates are filled with local fruits and liquor.

CURRENCY The currency in Argentina is the Peso ($), which is subdivided into 100 cents. There are 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents and 1 peso coins. There are two versions of 5, 10, 25 and 50 cent coins available; they can be silver or golden plated.

The denominations available in paper money are $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. New versions of the $2, $5, $10 and $20 notes have been introduced in recent times, and the new and the old notes are both in circulation.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

54 42 191

COUNTRY CODE CITY CODE EMERGENCIES

FIRE STATION

42-2828-4748 TOURIST INFORMATION

42-5409-6766 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

42-2767 42-2555 POLICE

42-2992-772