Are you planning a trip to Argentina? Well you need to make sure to visit Bariloche! My husband and I took two separate trips to Argentina, spending a few days in Buenos Aires and a couple of weeks in Bariloche, and we loved the country and our time there.
After spending so much time in Bariloche, I consider it the Lake Tahoe of South America because of its beautiful lakes and internationally acclaimed ski mountain. The area is not just beautiful but filled with a variety of accessible activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, and skiing. Plus, the best part is the food and beverage scene! Bariloche has the best ice cream in South America, world-class chocolate shops, great breweries, and really delicious wine!
If you are planning a trip to Argentina and want to visit Bariloche, here are some savvy tips on when to visit this popular Argentinian destination, how to get there, and where to stay.
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The Savvy Way to Plan a Trip to Bariloche, Argentina
The Best Time to Travel
Fun Fact: since Bariloche is located in the southern hemisphere, their seasons are opposite those in the US (ie: when it’s summer in the US, it’s winter in Argentina). Keep the climate in mind when determining the best time of year to visit Bariloche.
Cheapest Time of Year to Visit Bariloche
Most tourists visit Bariloche in the summer and winter and have to pay a premium on airfare and accommodations as a result. It is much more affordable to visit Bariloche in the spring or fall when it is not only cheaper but also less crowded. You’ll have a more enjoyable experience visiting the sights.
Based on my experience, I recommend traveling to Bariloche in the spring or fall. We visited in April (Bariloche’s fall) and October (their spring), and while you can’t go skiing or hang out on the lake during this time of year, there’s still plenty to do and see while spending a fraction of the cost on airfare and accommodations.
For reference: we were able to book $120 round-trip flights (through Andes Airlines) from Buenos Aires to Bariloche for our trip and only spent about $100/night on a large, modern Airbnb with an amazing view!
Traditional Bariloche Tourist Season
Many visitors align their Bariloche travel plans with the region’s tourist season. Travelers flock to the area during both the summer and the winter because of the amazing lakes and popular ski resort. Those looking to enjoy the Nahuel Huapi Lake region can fish and kayak during their spring and summer (November to March). And ski bums can experience Cerro Catedral, which boasts the largest ski terrain in South America, during the winter months (June through August).
For reference: a roundtrip flight from Buenos Aires to Bariloche on Andes Airlines for a weekend in the middle of the summer can be about double what you pay in the off-season.
Transportation
via Air
If you want to visit Bariloche during your trip to Argentina, you will need to research flights from Buenos Aires to Bariloche. International travelers to Argentina will most likely arrive via EZE in Buenos Aires. To get from Buenos Aires to Bariloche, you will need to take a two-hour flight to Bariloche.
I recommend that you depart from the domestic airport, AEP, which is located in the center of Buenos Aires (about 45 minutes away from EZE). AEP offers multiple airlines that fly to Bariloche numerous times a day, but you will need to find transportation from EZE to AEP via shuttle bus, private car (remi), or taxi.
Rental Cars
I highly recommend renting a car to explore Bariloche. While the city center itself is easily walkable, there are so many other things to discover in the surrounding areas that necessitate having a car. The best part about renting a car in Bariloche, in addition to the convenience, is the cost. Rental cars, specifically for manual transmissions, are unbelievably cheap!
Initially, I was a little wary of car rental agencies in Bariloche because they tend to have bad reviews online (even the major names like Hertz and Alamo). I ended up going on a search for the most reliable, affordable rental car agency in Bariloche and found Invernalia, which I cannot recommend enough.
We rented a manual transmission car from Invernalia for both of our trips and the vehicles were clean and reliable, and the service was outstanding (which included some English-speaking personnel). They will be there waiting for you at the airport when you get off the plane (just be sure to give them your arrival information) and after filling out some paperwork, you’ll be on your way to explore the beautiful city of Bariloche!
Where to Stay
As a tourist visiting Bariloche, there are two primary areas I’d recommend staying. One area is in, or near, the Centro (i.e. downtown), and the other is anywhere in “the Kilometers,” which is the area to the west of the Centro along the lake.
Centro Bariloche
Staying in, or near, downtown Bariloche will put you very close to restaurants, ice cream and chocolate shops, and breweries. There are numerous hotels, including some located right on the water, and a variety of Airbnb’s with incredible views.
I recommend avoiding any hotels or Airbnb that are located to the east of the Centro, heading towards the airport. Honestly, besides avoiding that area, you really can’t go wrong with any affordable hotel or Airbnb in the Centro or anywhere west of downtown.
Personally, my family and I stayed in an Airbnb in Centro Bariloche on both of our trips. There were four of us and we were staying for a longer period of time so we wanted amenities like a kitchen and washing machine.
The Kilometers
The Kilometers is another great area to consider for your Bariloche travel plans. Keep in mind that the higher the kilometer, the further away from downtown it is. Fortunately, anywhere out to about KM 13 is close to a lot of amenities (restaurants, breweries, grocery stores with cheap wine) and is a quick drive to the Centro.
There are some beautiful resorts along the water along with some Airbnbs for those looking to experience Bariloche from a local’s perspective. A benefit of staying in the Kilometers is that the area is closer to some of the popular trekking trails and viewing locations like Punto Paneramico, including those with chair lifts (Cerro Otto and Cerro Campanario).
Other Travel Tips
- Don’t forget the correct adaptor plug (Type I) or an all-in-one adaptor.
- We found that most places in Bariloche accepted Visa credit cards. However, it’s still smart to have Argentinian pesos on hand, especially if your card has foreign transaction fees (which many do, so make sure you confirm with your bank / credit card institution prior to your trip). I highly recommend Cambio Andina in the center of Bariloche for currency exchange as ATM fees in Bariloche can be outrageous!
- The Bariloche police have check points throughout the area, and if you rent a car your chances of being stopped can be high. To be on the safe side, I recommend obtaining an International Driving Permit (available through AAA) prior to your trip.
If you are planning a trip to Argentina, Bariloche has to be one of the cities you plan to visit even if it’s just for two to three nights. To keep your trip affordable, be sure to visit outside of the normal tourist season(s) and consider accommodations located in, or near, the Centro and also in the Kilometers to find the best place to rest after exploring this beautiful area in Patagonia.
