Deciding on the best area to stay in Bariloche depends on the time of year you are travelling (remember that it is a destination where there are both mountains and beaches), the activities you plan to do and your budget.
San Carlos de Bariloche is one of the busiest cities in the Argentinean Patagonia, as it treasures a catalogue of extremely overwhelming scenic jewels: the Nahuel Huapi National Park, the Andes Mountains, Lake Nahuel Huapi or the Arrayanes National Park.All of them are powerful attractions for nature lovers and active tourism.
Likewise, this province of Rio Negro houses the most important ski resort in the country: Cerro Catedral, which is about 20 km away from the city center.Although there are also others like Cerro Otto, ideal for the practice of cross country skiing.
Its surroundings are dotted with lakes, the most prominent being Perito Moreno, Mascardi or Gutiérrez, which allow you to enjoy a swim or practice fishing, rafting and even canotage.
Most of the attractions of San Carlos de Bariloche are related to the natural environment and the possibilities of active tourism activities that it provides at each time of the year.However, its streets also include some corners that are well worth a visit in their own right.
Among these, the neo-Gothic Cathedral of Bariloche or the Civic Centre is worth mentioning, marked by traditional houses built of stone masonry, decorated with wooden windows and balconies, as well as some buildings of interest such as the City Hall, which stands out for its characteristic clock.
The cultural offer is very well represented by the Chocolate Museums, Patagonia Geological Rosendo Pascual, Paleontological or the Old Colonists.
Bariloche’s gastronomy includes the traditional flavours of Patagonia, and is based on regional products such as lamb, truck-mounted fish, smoked fish and seafood, as well as typical cheese fondues, guanaco and goulash.
Nor should we forget its chocolate, considered one of the richest in the country, nor its handmade beer, which has been produced for 100 years and which also occupies a place of honour in its gastronomy.
The nightlife in Bariloche is intense thanks to its casino, the numerous thematic pubs, bars and discos that are scattered in different parts of the city.
In short, Bariloche is the treasure of Andean Patagonia, where nature takes all the limelight, providing endless adventures and experiences to travelers who decide to visit.
If you have in mind to escape to a wonderful natural corner and want to have precise information about the hotel offer and the best areas to stay in Bariloche, read on.
The best areas to stay in Bariloche
Bariloche receives more than one million travelers a year, which makes it one of the most visited cities in Argentina, and it is considered the second best ski destination in the world.
For this reason, the city has all the necessary infrastructure and a generous hotel offer, made up of all kinds of accommodation: cabins, bungalows, hotels with spa, hotels with golf, hostels, campsites…
Likewise, it has many interesting and scattered areas, so when choosing accommodation in Bariloche it is important to take into consideration the type of activities and tourism that will be carried out.
The cost of accommodation varies depending on the time of year, for example, areas near beaches such as Playa Bonita or Lago Gutiérrez are more expensive during the summer, as they are in great demand, while during the winter they are cheaper.
On the other hand, Cerro Catedral is expensive all year round, since it receives many snow sports lovers during the winter and those who practice mountain and adventure sports the rest of the time.
1. Bariloche Center
It is located around the edge of Lake Nahuel Huapi, which has wonderful views, in the center of the town of Bariloche. It is dominated by a lively square decorated with buildings constructed with stones from the Cerro del Carbon, windows and doors of cypress wood and slate roofs, which has earned recognition as National Historical Monument.
This square also treasures the building of the Municipality with its beautiful clock, the Francisco Moreno Museum of Patagonia, the library or the police station, and four streets below is the neo-Gothic Cathedral of Bariloche, which is one of its architectural treasures.
Mitre Street articulates this neuralgic area, which is full of chocolate shops, cafes, art galleries, tea houses, souvenir shops, bars, restaurants and hotels.With these characteristics, it is one of the best areas to sleep in Bariloche.For example, bus line 55 connects the center with Cerro Catedral and bus line 72 with the airport.For about 58 euros or 60 euros it is possible to book a 4-star hotel.
– Accommodation in Bariloche Center
2.Cerro Catedral
Cerro Catedral is located 18 km from the city center, inside the Nahuel Huapi National Park.On the northwest slope of the hill is the Alta Patagonia ski resort, which has over 120 km of slopes, making it one of the largest in South America.
It is fully equipped with all the services that the traveller may need and, in addition, it has an interesting offer of leisure and hotels, many of which stand on the slope of the hill, offering wonderful views of the Andes, the Tronador hill and nearby lakes such as Gutiérrez.
The 55 bus line connects the center of Bariloche with this huge ski center.
In winter it is the favorite area to stay in Bariloche for those who come to ski or practice other snow sports like snowboarding, but in summer it is also very popular for those who want to do climbing, abseiling or hiking.
Due to the demand, prices are high all year round, in fact, for less than 90 euros per night it is difficult to access a 4 star hotel.
3.Playa Bonita
This enclave is located eight kilometers from Bariloche, facing the Victoria, Huemul and Gallina Islands and bathed by the waters of the Nahuel Huapi Lake.It is one of the most visited by locals and travelers, not only because it is very close to Bariloche, but also because it offers the possibility of enjoying a wide range of activities.
Among these activities you can practice kayak, diving, windsurfing>, >snorkel… , It has a spa and an interesting offer of restaurants, bars, shops, windsurfing and diving schools and some kiosks.
For those who travel in the summer and want to enjoy water activities, sun and sand, Playa Bonita is a place to keep in mind to stay in Bariloche.
– Accommodation in Playa Bonita
Is this guide useful for you, the best places to stay in Bariloche We hope it is so and we also recommend this other one that might be of your interest: Where to stay in Buenos Aires, where to stay in Cordoba (Argentina)
4.Lake Gutiérrez
This lake of glacial origin is about 15 km from the center of Bariloche, embraced by coihue forests and protected by the Otto, Ventana and Catedral hills, so the scenery is undeniably overwhelming.
It is, together with Playa Bonita, one of the most popular beach areas in Bariloche, which, despite its origin, has relatively warm waters, allowing you to enjoy swimming more.Here you can also practice fishing, kayaking, snorkeling …
In the vicinity there are beautiful beaches like the Villa los Coihues, where you can find the paleontological museum, which allows to enter the evolution of Patagonia, as well as see fossils and even dinosaur eggs.
About two kilometres to the west is the starting point of several hiking routes, one of which leads to the beautiful Los Duendes waterfall.
It does not have a very generous offer of accommodation, but it is an enclave that should be taken into consideration to stay in Bariloche by those who want to enjoy water activities or nature and, at the same time, not be too far from the city center.
Apartments, cottages and hostels predominate, although there are also some hotels, whose prices increase during the hottest months of the calendar. For about 70 or 80 euros you can book a 4-star hotel.
– Lodging in Lago Guitiérrez
5.Llao Llao
This village is less than 20 kilometers from Bariloche, between the Nahuel Huapi and Perito Moreno lakes, the Tronador and Lopez hills and surrounded by lush forests.It is one of the most evocative and sybaritic areas of the municipality of Bariloche.
In addition, it has access to Puerto Pañuelo, the starting point for routes and excursions to Puerto Blest, the Arrayanes Forest or Victoria.
It should also be noted that it is part of the circuito Chico, one of the most popular routes, which runs along the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, passing by the San Pedro peninsula and Puerto Bueno, and ends at Puerto Pañuelo.
The lakes that embrace it are an attraction for lovers of nature activities, as they allow you to practice walks in kayak, fishing or diving. .
In the surroundings there are a good number of shops, tea houses, ice-cream parlours, craft shops and restaurants, where you can taste typical specialities with unique views of the lake and the hills.
The village is surrounded by the municipal park of the same name, overflowing with cypresses, myrtles and cohiues and home to numerous species of birds, making it a paradise for lovers of botany, ornithology and, therefore, nature.
One of the most exclusive hotels in the region is located here, with a spa, golf course and several restaurants serving typical Patagonian lamb.
However, there are also cheaper options for more discreet budgets such as cabins or bungalows.
If you want to sleep in the shelter of the most beautiful natural jewels of the region, this is one of the most recommended areas to stay in Bariloche.
– Lodging in Llao Llao
6.Península San Pedro
This enclave is located about 20 km from downtown Bariloche.
San Pedro Peninsula is surrounded by imposing hills as Campanario, embraced by lush vegetation and dotted with a beautiful beach.
It is a quiet and relaxed place, which does not receive many travellers, so it is the favourite place for families and couples to stay in Bariloche.However, there are prices for all budgets, so it is possible to book a 4-star hotel with spa for about 100 or 120 . However, you can also find discreet 3-star hotels for about 40 or 50 .
