Last updated on February 5th, 2021

Lake Nahuel Huapi, Visit Bariloche

Visit Bariloche – Lake Nahuel Huapi, © Can Stock Photo / rafafrancis

Visit Bariloche – In Town

  • Cathedral of San Carlos de Bariloche
  • Visit Bariloche Civic Centre – On the main plaza.
  • Museo de la Patagonia – On the main plaza near the Tourist Info center.
  • Bariloche Atomic Centre
Cerro Campanario View, Visit Bariloche

Cerro Campanario View, © Can Stock Photo / olgacanals

Visit Bariloche – Major Sights

Tour San Carlos de Bariloche’s “Circuito Chico” by driving or biking around the lakes when you visit Bariloche. The circuit can take more than an hour by car.  Along the way, pass the viewpoint at Cerro Campanario (Belfry Hill). See Puerto Panuel, which is also visited by boat tours from Bariloche. Also see the Llao Llao Peninsula and its forest. Take a Half Day Bariloche Tour.

Cruise Lake Nahuel Huapi National Park and visit the traditional island communities. There are daily excursions by boat from Bariloche along the lake to Puerto Panuel.

Head eastward around the shoreline of Lake Nahuel Huapi to reach the popular destination of Villa La Angostura. Try the Villa La Angostura Day Trip from Bariloche. The route is known as Los Siete Lagos (Seven Lakes) and after an additional 3 hours from Villa La Angostura, it reaches San Martin de Los Andes.

Llao Llao Hotel, Visit Bariloche

Llao Llao Hotel, © Can Stock Photo / ArielMartin

Visit Bariloche – Hotel Recommendations

  • Llao Llao Hotel and Resort at Puerto Paneul.
  • Peninsula Petit
  • Hotel Cristal

Visit Bariloche – More Sights

  • Cerro Catedral is South America’s largest ski area.  It’s located about 25 minutes southwest of Bariloche. For views of Cerro Catedral, drive south of town along Lake Gutierrez.
  • Go skiing at Mount Otto. It’s a 20 minute drive from Bariloche on a slow, twisting road or take the Teleferico Cerro Otto (Cable Car) to the peak. The cable car starts 3 miles (5 km) west of the Civic Center.
  • Llao Llao Trekking Tour with Transport from Bariloche
  • Lake Moreno or Lake Gutierrez Kayak Tour from Bariloche
  • Cerro Tronador Day Trip from Bariloche
  • Andean Lakes Crossing from Argentina to Chile by Bus and Boat
Cerro Catedral, Nahual Huapi Lake, Visit Bariloche

Cerro Catedral, © Can Stock Photo / cosmopol

Visit Bariloche – Transportation

Bariloche is isolated by the Andes from the rest of Argentina. There are no major cities close to Bariloche. The closest town is Puerto Montt in Chile, but it still takes 7 hours by bus and ferry to reach Puerto Montt. For cities in Argentina, it is 19 hours by vehicle from Buenos Aires and 17 hours from El Calafate. San Carlos de Bariloche International Airport is located about 20 minutes east of town. Rent a car in Bariloche, because there is so much to see by traveling around the lakes in the area. However, there are a number of bus and boat tours, so a rental car is not a necessity.

Chair Lift, Visit Bariloche

Chair Lift, © Can Stock Photo / urmoments

Bariloche Weather

Bariloche is in the southern hemisphere. The height of summer weather is in January and February, when average highs are about 75 F (24 C) and average lows are 45 F (7 C). The coldest part of winter is from June through August. Average highs in this period are 45 F (7 C) and average lows are 28 F (-2 C). Precipitation is highest in June and July, which provides the snow base for skiing in the surrounding mountains.

Mount Otto Gondola, Visit Bariloche

Mount Otto Gondola, © Can Stock Photo / ArielMartin

Visit Bariloche – Background

Bariloche is also known as San Carlos de Bariloche. It is a city of more than 100,000 people, located on Nahuel Huapi Lake and the Argentine slopes of the Andes. This is near the Lake District of Chile, but on the opposite side of the Andes. Bariloche was known in the past as a haven for Nazi war criminals. Today it has become a major center for skiing, trekking and climbing in an atmosphere that somewhat resembles Switzerland with a few Gauchos (cowboys) thrown in for good measure.