AR
Bariloche
Chocolate, lakes and Andean peaks
Chocolate, lakes and Andean peaks
Lago Nahuel Huapí (the finest mountain lake in South America; the Circuito Chico (the 60km scenic loop; the Cerro Campanario viewpoint (chairlift 1,050 ARS; the finest 360-degree lake, Andes, and beech forest view); the Llao Llao Peninsula (the finest natural peninsula walk in Patagonia; free)) is the finest Patagonian lake experience.
💡 Circuito Chico (the 60km scenic loop; rental car or bicycle; the Cerro Campanario chairlift (1,050 ARS return; the finest single viewpoint in South America); the Llao Llao Peninsula walk (free)) — the finest half-day scenic drive in South America.
Cerro Catedral (the finest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere; 18km from Bariloche; day ski pass from 4,000 ARS; equipment rental from 2,000 ARS/day; the finest off-piste skiing (the Canaleta couloir); Bus 20 (150 ARS)) is the finest ski experience in the Southern Hemisphere.
💡 Cerro Catedral Ski Resort (18km; Bus 20 (150 ARS); day ski pass from 4,000 ARS; equipment rental from 2,000 ARS/day; July–September; the finest off-piste skiing in the Southern Hemisphere (the Canaleta couloir)).
The Mitre Avenue chocolate walk (the finest chocolate street in South America; the Mamuschka (the finest artisan milk chocolate truffle; from 500 ARS per 100g); the Rapa Nui (the finest handcrafted chocolate); the Del Turista (the finest volume chocolate shop)) and the Bariloche artisan breweries (the finest craft beer scene in Patagonia) are the defining Bariloche food experiences.
💡 Mitre Avenue chocolate walk (the Mamuschka (finest artisan milk chocolate truffle; from 500 ARS per 100g); the Rapa Nui (finest handcrafted chocolate); the Del Turista (finest volume chocolate)) — the finest free afternoon walk in Bariloche.
The Victoria Island Lake Cruise (from 4,000 ARS return; the finest arrayán tree forest in the world; the bark that inspired Tolkien’s Fangorn forest; the Puerto Blest cruise extension (the finest rainforest waterfall in Patagonia)) and the Nahuel Huapí National Park (the Refugio López trek; the Ruta de los 7 Lagos (the 107km lake road; the finest road trip in Patagonia)) are the two finest Bariloche experiences beyond the skiing.
💡 Victoria Island Lake Cruise (from 4,000 ARS return; the finest arrayán tree forest in the world; the bark that inspired Tolkien’s Fangorn forest; the Puerto Blest cruise extension (the finest rainforest waterfall in Patagonia)).
Bariloche eating is defined by the Patagonian lamb (the most specifically Argentine Patagonian food: the Patagonian lamb (cordero patagónico) slow-roasted on the cross (al asador) or the parrilla for 4–6 hours; US$20–45 for a main at any Bariloche parrilla; the finest at the El Boliche de Alberto (Villégas 347; the most celebrated Bariloche parrilla; since 1969)), the Bariloche chocolate (the chocolate fondue and the artisan truffles at any of the 30 Mitre Avenue chocolate shops; US$5–20), the Patagonian trout (the brown trout and the rainbow trout from the Nahuel Huapí and the surrounding rivers; US$18–35 as a main), and the Patagonian craft beer (the most celebrated Argentine regional craft beer tradition: the Manush brewery (the finest local craft beer in Bariloche), the Blest brewpub (the oldest craft brewery in Argentina; since 1994; the beers brewed in view of the lake)). The El Boliche de Alberto (the finest parrilla experience in Patagonia) and the Cerveceria Blest (the original Argentine craft brewpub; the lake view; the Patagonian stout) are the two essential Bariloche addresses.
Bariloche in April has lenga beech forests turning red and gold, near-empty trails, and post-summer prices.
Cerro Catedral (the finest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere; 18km from Bariloche (Bus 20; 150 ARS; 40 min)).
The Mitre Avenue chocolate walk (the finest chocolate boutique street in South America).
The Victoria Island Lake Cruise (the finest island lake cruise in South America; from 4,000 ARS return (from the Bariloche pier)).
Circuito Chico (rental car or bicycle; the Cerro Campanario chairlift (1,050 ARS; the finest viewpoint in South America); the Llao Llao Peninsula (free)). Mitre Avenue chocolate walk (free; the Mamuschka, the Rapa Nui, and the Del Turista). Artisan brewery dinner (the finest German-influenced craft beer in South America).
💡 The Circuito Chico (the 60km loop; best by rental car (from 2,000 ARS/day) or bicycle (rental from 800 ARS/day; allow 5–6h)); the Cerro Campanario chairlift (the finest viewpoint in South America; 1,050 ARS return) and the Llao Llao Hotel grounds (the finest peninsula walk; free) are the two essential Circuito Chico stops.
Victoria Island Lake Cruise (from 4,000 ARS return; the finest arrayán tree forest in the world; the Puerto Blest extension). Or (winter): Cerro Catedral Ski Resort (Bus 20; 40 min; day ski pass from 4,000 ARS; the finest skiing in the Southern Hemisphere).
💡 Cerro Catedral (July–September; the finest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere; the day ski pass from 4,000 ARS; check the current season rate at catedralaltapatagonia.com) is available on the day — no advance booking required for the day ski pass (only the equipment rental requires advance booking in peak July–August).
Bariloche is one of the most affordable mountain resort destinations in the world.
Cerro Catedral (US$50–70 day pass; the largest ski resort in South America) is the most affordable quality ski experience on the planet.
Llao Llao Hotel Resort Spa (Av. Bustillo km 25, Llao Llao Peninsula; the most celebrated hotel in South America (often cited in world hotel rankings); the Norman-chateau building by Alejandro Bustillo)
Cerro Catedral (catedralaltapatagonia.com) for the current season ski pass price (from 4,000 ARS/day) and the lift status in real time.
Free
Bariloche chocolate (mamuschka.com; rapanui.com.ar) for the finest artisan chocolate in Patagonia.
Free
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