BARILOCHE FAQ'S
The San Carlos de Bariloche International Airport services the city. It is located around 9 miles from the city and the journey takes about 30 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel?There are several ways to get from the airport to the city including rental cars, buses, and taxes. Taxis can be found outside the main terminal on the ground floor. Bus line #72 travels to the downtown bus terminal and can be found outside the airport in the parking lot. Buses run from the airport from 7:15 am until 10:20 pm the cost is around 221 pesos but can only be paid using a SUBE card. There are several international rental car companies available and the rental care desks can be found inside the terminal.
How do I get around the city using public transportation? The most popular and affordable way to get around Bariloche is by Mi Bus, the single transit bus company that operates with the SUBE card with several routes. Bus routes run from the downtown area, at Moreno 400, between Palacios, and Beschedt streets, via Lakeside Street, the bus station. The highway police station, and the airport.
SUBE is used by purchasing a SUBE card at a tourism office, a kiosk, or online and loading money onto the card to pay for your bus ride. Simply hop on at a stop, the driver will ask for your destination, and based on the distance your fare will appear on the SUBE screen where you tap to pay.
Yes, there are opportunities for boat rides in Bariloche mainly on the waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi with its gorgeous scenery and crystal clear waters it's a great way to discover the extraordinary surroundings of the lakeside town. There are plenty of options for sailing on the lake waters, and with the constant winds, the lake is a true paradise for sailors. Boats can reach hidden bays and other areas that can only be accessed by the water. Sailing on the lake offers a different experience and perspective of the town and the surroundings with spectacular views of the islands, mountains, forests, and shores.
Should I rent a car in Bariloche?If you are staying in the center of Bariloche then a car is not needed. If you are staying on the outskirts or plan to explore the surrounding area or other cities then renting a car is a good idea. There are plenty of transportation options in Bariloche to get around town. There are also rental car companies available in the area.
How do I call/hail a taxi?There are plenty of taxis found in Bariloche, you can hail a taxi from the street or call and order over the phone. Taxis can be found around the bus station, the airport, outside shopping centers, hotels, and the main attractions in town.
Is Bariloche a walking city?Yes, walking around the charming town of Bariloche is very rewarding on foot allowing visitors to explore the many sights, and attractions of this quaint lakeside town. The popular tourist areas are concentrated on San Martin/Moreno and Mitre Street where shops, cafes, restaurants, and more are centered around. There are a few popular walking tours offered in town. The town is a great base for exploring the surrounding mountainous region.
Can I ride a bike in Bariloche?Riding a bike to explore Bariloche is a fun and popular activity. The region is filled with hills and mountains so depending on where you are heading it can be quite a challenging bike ride. There are opportunities to rent bicycles in town. Mountain biking is also popular in Bariloche, with many different routes and trails to choose from.
Is Bariloche a dangerous city, is there anything I should be aware of?Bariloche is considered a very safe destination to visit. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets, and tourist attractions. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers.
What are some popular areas for shopping? There are some unique shopping opportunities in Bariloche, there's a good variety of shops, unique boutiques, outdoor vendors and markets, and an abundance of chocolate shops. The main shopping district is centered around the main streets of Bariloche on Calles Mitre and Calles Moreno. These streets are brimming with souvenir shops, gourmet food shops, and shopping arcades as well as specialty shops and department stores. Shoppers can expect to find typical local and national products, handicrafts, silver works, sports equipment, leather goods, and skiing gear.
The markets in Bariloche are fun to explore especially the outdoor Artisan Market behind the Centro Civico which is held on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from noon to 8 pm. Another market to check out is the indoor Handicraft Market on Moreno (between Villegas and Quaglia) which is open daily from 11 am until 8 pm, the market is held by a local Mapuche indigenous group selling items mostly made from wool and wood such as clothing, jewelry, art, and carved wooden items. The region is also renowned for its local smoked meats and cheeses, as well as trout pate, and mate (tea).
If you are a chocolate lover then you are going to love Bariloche, the chocolate capital of Latin America and home to some of the finest chocolate shops in the world. There are a number of fantastic chocolate shops in town, especially along Calle Mitre including Mamushka which is considered the best chocolate in town, Fenaglio which serves up delicious chocolate ice cream, and El Turista where you can see the chocolates being handmade. The industry came from early Swiss pioneers who settled in the nearby village of Colonia Suiza and saw potential in all the healthy cows. Some of the classic local flavors to try are dulce de leche, chocolate with lemon, and chocolate with local berries.
The official languages spoken in Bariloche are Spanish and English. Many people speak fluent English, especially in hotels and restaurants. We recommend getting a good English/Spanish guidebook and learning the basic questions like please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.
What is the best time to visit Bariloche?There are two primary seasons in Bariloche summer and winter and it is busy during both periods, but the vast surrounding area allows for plenty of things to see and do any time of the year. Bariloche lies in the transition between a cool Mediterranean climate and an Oceanic climate with alpine characteristics including wide temperature variations, low nighttime temperatures, and high thermal amplitude. The annual temperature in Bariloche is 47 F degrees, during January the temperatures range between 68-82 and may occasionally go up to 86 F. The winter temperatures can drop as low as 5 F and come along with plenty of snowfall. It is windy throughout the year.
What is the currency? Can I pay/tip in US dollars?The currency of Bariloche is the Argentine peso. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Argentine pesos upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.
What is the food like? Bariloche is filled with gastronomical delights with excellent restaurants serving up delicious Argentinian classics with authentic local flavors. The lakeside town is a culinary gem with talented chefs using natural local ingredients to dish up exquisite Patagonian flavors with dishes that include wild game, fish, smoked meats, local cheeses, and berries. There are hundreds of fantastic restaurants to choose from in Bariloche so food lovers are bound to find something to suit their tastebuds. Bariloche is also well known for its craft beers, tea houses, and chocolate.
One of the most popular things to try in Bariloche is Curanto, a method of cooking where the food is buried in the ground and placed on top of hot stones that create an oven. This method means the meat and vegetables slowly cook for hours to provide an incredibly tasty feast. Curanto is offered in town twice a week in Colonia Suiza on Wednesdays and Sundays, there are also a couple of Curanto restaurants in town including The Gringo.
Argentina has more cattle than cattle than people and steakhouses (parillas) are legendary. The Parilla is the name of the large iron grill on which the meat is barbecued. Barbecued beef such as bife de chorizo (sirloin), Ojo de bife (rib eye), and cuadril (rump) is best enjoyed with friends, laughter, and wine.
Other Argentine favorites are the Empanadas con carne (fried or baked), Milanesa a la Napolitana (breaded and fried meat covered with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and ham), Chimichurri (Argentine pesto used to marinate meat or as a dipping sauce), and Choripan (sausage). If you want to try something different, the Pacu fish is delicious as long as the human-like teeth don't unnerve you According to National Geographic, Argentina is one of the 5 places in the world to have the best hilado (Ice cream). We suggest you try the dulce de leche or the tiramisu. Alfajor de Maicena (dulce de leche cookies) is another Argentine favorite. Malbec wine makes a great complement to every steak meal. If you're looking for something softer, Yerba Mate the national drink of Argentina is a herb placed in a mate pot - it is a focal point for social gatherings.
The quaint town of Bariloche has some large nightlife offerings, when the sun goes down the town comes to life and is known for some of the best nightclubs, and pub crawls in the region. Bariloche has a lot of bars, pubs, and microbreweries to offer and a dozen discos or nightclubs better known as “boliches”.
What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?In case of an emergency dial 911 or 107
Hospital:
Dr. Ramon Carrillo Regional Hospital tel. 54-294-442-6100