¡Hola viajeros! Welcome to our blog on the beautiful Bariloche. We are Pablo and Cecilia known as @elmundodeados on Instagram. In 2014, we got married. In 2016, we decided to leave our old life behind – including our car and apartment – to seek new adventures and start fresh in Europe.
Our goal was to focus on travel and visit as many places as we could. Since then, we’ve visited more than 20 countries (some more than once) and many cities and famous sites. We’ve been based in Bariloche since 2019. Argentina is where we grew up and it’s nice to be back.
Although, we didn’t grow up in Bariloche itself. Pablo was born in Misiones in the north of Argentina where there is a lot of rainforest and Cecilia grew up in Buenos Aires. Both of our families have always thought of travelling as an important part of their lives. We guess they passed this love on to us.
When we started travelling we felt the need to share our experiences. That was the birth of our travel blog and Instagram account where we can document our passions. Pablo likes writing and Cecilia is an Art Director. We aim to inspire others to go out and have a gaze at the world.
Why Bariloche is such a Beautiful Destination
Bariloche and its surroundings is one of the most beautiful destinations in Argentina. It’s a year round destination with South America’s biggest ski center in winter and breathtaking landscapes in summer. You can think of it like the Alps in Austria but immersed in the mythical Patagonia.
What we love most is that no matter where you are in your daily routine, you will always have a sight of the mountains, forest or lake. You can drive your car and in half-an-hour be surrounded by nature. Trekking is a popular activity and so is having a picnic. There is a fantastic quality of life here.
Favourite Place in Bariloche: Santa Ana Waterfall
Picking a favourite place is difficult. Each place has its particular charm. But we can tell you about a secret place we found recently and completely fell in love with. It’s called Santa Ana Waterfall and is located about 70 km from Bariloche, in the mountains surrounded by virgin forest.
To reach the waterfall you take a 3-hour trek which is worth it. Then you find this wonderful 40 meter waterfall falling from the edge of a cave formed by basalt columns (the kind famous in places like Iceland). Santa Ana Waterfall feels like you’re going back to the dinosaur era.
10 Best Things To Do in Bariloche
Bariloche is the ultimate place in Argentina to take adventures as it’s located along the Nahuel Huapi Lake. Whether it be hiking, fishing, skiing or sailing – there is a unique adventure waiting for everyone. If you want to experience the best adventures then check out our Top 10 Things To Do:
1. Walk the Popular Circuito Chico (Small Loop)
This circular route is a must-do for first-timers to Bariloche. It takes you to some of the top sights in Bariloche like the Llao Llao Hotel among other great viewpoints. Enjoy walking through beautiful trails, woods, lakes and mountains on the most traditional excursion that Bariloche has to offer.
2. Hike the Circuito Grande on a Tour (Big Loop)
Circuito Grande takes you through the steppe and beautiful stone formations of Bariloche. You will also bypass the small town of Villa Traful where there is a sunken forest. This tour can be booked with a tour agency and takes 9-10 hours – covering over 240 km from downtown Bariloche.
3. See the Stunning Glaciers of Cerro Tronador
Cerro Tronador is the tallest mountain in the region with eternal snow and a glacier on top that falls and forms another glacier at the bottom. The name of the mountain comes from the Spanish word for thunder. This is because the glaciers make a sound like thunder when they break.
4. Cruise to Puerto Blest on a Nature Cruise
This cruise takes you to the heart of the mountains at the border of Chile. You will disembark and explore some of the landscape on foot and see the beautiful Los Cantaros Waterfall. Enjoy the company and knowledge of a local guide as you admire cypress and coihue trees in the rainforest.
5. Sail to Victoria Island and the Arrayanes Forest
Take a sailing trip along Nahuel Huapi Lake and discover Victoria Island and Los Arrayanes National Park located on the Quetrihue peninsula. This kind of tree (Arrayan) grows only in this region of Argentina and very rarely forms a grove. Marvel at the beautiful orange bark and take photos!
6. Drive the Scenic Route of the Seven Lakes
Cruise along the Route of Seven Lakes from Bariloche up to San Martin de los Andes town. This route is part of Ruta 40 which is one of the longest roads in the world starting in the very south of Argentina to the border of Bolivia. The Route of Seven Lakes takes you by beautiful lakes.
7. Go Skiing at Catedral Alta Patagonia in Winter
Catedral Alta Patagonia is the largest ski centre in South America and definitely adds some adrenaline to any trip to Argentina. Hire some warm clothes and choose your preference of skiing or snowboarding and hit the slopes! It’s a beautiful place in winter on a windless, clear and blue day.
8. Take a Tour of Bariloche’s Best Breweries
Go on a tour of Bariloche’s breweries and try the many fantastic craft beers of the region. This is the perfect activity to enjoy after a day at Catedral Alta Patagonia. Some of the most popular places include: Cerveceria Bachmann, Berlina Km12, Cerveceria Patagonia and Cerveceria Manush.
9. Climb a Mountain with a Certified Guide
Bariloche is a great place to base yourself to go mountain climbing. This is the starting point for many epic climbs such as Mount Tronador, Cerro Bella Vista or Cerro Lopez. It’s best to go with a certified mountain guide who can equip you with the gear, knowledge and support for your climb.
10. Try your Luck Fly Fishing in Bariloche
This is a great activity if you like to be out in nature and fish in abundant waters. There are a few companies in Bariloche who provide full day fishing trips, overnight floating trips or even all-inclusive packages which include staying overnight in world-class lodging accommodation. You will love it!
The Incredible Food Scene of Bariloche
Food in Bariloche is awesome! For starters, you are in Argentina and have some of the best barbeque (asado) in the world. It’s also a famous spot for chocolate factories and shops. Some examples are Del Turista Chocolates, Mamuschka chocolate cafe and Rapa Nui chocolate shop.
Also, the craft beer is heavenly. There are tons of breweries each with their own style of brews. However, if you don’t like alcohol you can take a look at the many cosy tea houses. Some are located in the middle of the forest and look like fairytale houses such as Bellevue or Paila Co.
Accommodation Options in Bariloche
If you have the chance we recommend staying in some form of cabin or hotel outside of the city and being close to nature. There are lots of options ranging from five star hotels like the famous Llao Llao Hotel or Hotel Villa Beluno, to hostels and airbnbs. It all depends on your budget.
A couple of mid-range places are Posada Los Juncos – Patagonian Lake House and Equs Posada de Campo. We recommend both of these places.
Best Time of Year to Visit Bariloche
There are two times of the year we love most. One is during the last weeks of April when Fall peaks. The forest turns into shades of red, orange and yellow and it’s still warm. The other time is at the end of November when Spring starts and the flowers blossom. It’s like a colour explosion!
Our Favourite Memory of Bariloche – Cerro Catedral
We still remember the first time we came to Bariloche eight years ago. One of the activities we took was to go up Cerro Catedral in the chairlift.
It was summer so the snow was gone, the sky was deep blue and the sun was shining strong above us. Once we reached the top we had a clear view of the whole landscape stretching for miles and miles. It was wonderful.
We sat on a stone feeling completely calm as if we were in the right place and said to ourselves “this is our place in the world”. After that, life took us to some incredible places but in the end we ended up living here.
What you Need to Know Before you Go
Don’t be afraid to explore. There are incredible places all around. If you can, rent a car and move at your own pace. Find the time to relax, enjoy the landscape and breathe the fresh air. Try the local food and beer, you won’t regret it. And don’t forget to pack sunglasses, a jacket and sunscreen.
Thanks for reading and we hope you enjoy your visit to Bariloche!
