Bariloche is a stunning tranquil town, situated in NW Patagonia by the Andes, in the heart of the Lake District. It has much to offer all year round: wonderful hiking in summer and autumn and fantastic skiing in the winter. It is also a great place to find some nightlife and cultural activities or just relaxing in a cafe sampling our famous delicious chocolate and cakes.
Locals are friendly and supportive with foreigners.
Cultural information of interest
Good restaurants: almost all are good but I would definitely recommend El Refugio del Montañés (Calle San Martín, in front of casino). They are good for grilled meat, hachuras (insides, come on you have to taste them once in your life!) and the best fried potatoes of Bariloche. El Boliche viejo, which is 30 km from the city center, you need a car or taxi ($20 arg) with gauchos, in the outskirts Bariloche, on Río Limay side. People say Butch Cassidy spent awhile there, hiding from US law. Cervecería (brewery) Blest (Bustillo, km 12) with the best home made beer I have ever tasted. I suggest you taste ‘La Trochita’ they have these unforgettable picadas.
Cheap restaurants (comedor): La Fonda del Tío (Mitre y Capraro) Difficult to get a table. Be there early.
Ice-cream: Jauja (in front of cine Arrayanes) (You have never tasted anything better!) and Tante Frida (Mitre al 600)
Chocolaterías (Chocolate shops) , in order of quality and taste: Mamushka (Mitre y Rolando), Estrella Alpina (Km 4 de Pioneros), Rapa Nui (Mitre y Villegas) Abuela Goye (Quaglia y Mitre) Fenoglio (Mitre y Rolando) Tante Frida
Cafés: Gino (Mitre between Urquiza y Quaglia) Antigua (Moreno between Urquiza y Quaglia, in front of cine Arrayanes)
Discos: Bariloche is the capital of the night life in patagonia!! Do not miss: Rocket, Cerebro, Grisú, Pacha, and The Roxy. ¡In Villa Catedral you will find more!
Pubs: Wilkenny, South Bar with festivals, concerts and cultural events in Bariloche.
- May, 3rd: Bariloche anniversary: gauchos parades, musical shows, free hot chocolate.
- La Fiesta de la Nieve: every year, in July we have Fiesta Nacional de la Nieve, with cultural events, concerts and many artists.
- Every November 11, Tradition National Party, in every neighborhood of Bariloche we have shows with horses, gauchos’ parades, with empanadas, pastelitos, typical dances. I recommend in my neighborhood (Villa Los Coihues) because we have a big party with lamb, asado, empanadas, carriages, horseback riding, dance, traditional folk music, even tango, from 10 in the morning until late in the night.
Excursions: Trekking: Don't miss: Refugio Frey, Cerro Leones, Cerro Lopez·. Cycling: Circuito Chico
Museums:Museo de la Patagonia, in the Centro Cívico is very complete, I recommend it and I usually take my students to see it. It has 2 sections; Natural Science, Anthropology and regional history and a room for exhibitions.Museo del Lago Gutierrez, en Villa Los Coihues. Museo Paleontológico en Avda Costanera.
Library: In centro Cívico. Big, warm, and you can stay as long as you want and read all the newspapers or study.
If you want to know all about the cultural activities of Bariloche, check this site, it is updated every Thursday www.galeria-bariloche.com
Buy or sell anything: Get the ABC every Friday. It is like a local Ebay where you can find from a second hand camera to a 4x4 truck. These are some useful links you can visit, too.
Skiing in Bariloche: Cerro Catedral www.catedralaltapatagonia.com
www.bariloche.org (Portal of Bariloche) and www.bariloche.com (Portal of Bariloche)
www.elcordillerano.com.ar (Bariloche News)
www.clubandino.org (Club Andino Bariloche)
www.cab.cnea.gov.ar (Centro atómico Bariloche)
How to arrive to Bariloche
Study Spanish in Bariloche: http://www.spanishinbariloche.com
This article has been submitted by Veronica Leone from Español en bariloche
