Is Bariloche Worth Visiting? 11 Amazing Reasons To Visit 2024

Is Bariloche Worth Visiting?

Is Bariloche worth visiting? I’ve done more than visit Bariloche, Argentina, I’ve lived there! So I know more than anyone else what makes this beautiful Patagonian town worth visiting. 

The list of reasons why the Andean Mountain town of Bariloche is worth visiting is endless. With shimmering lakes, snow-capped mountains, delicious food, and a lively atmosphere, there’s something here for everyone.

Some of the things that make the city most worth visiting are:

• Outdoor activities are available year-round
• The incredible natural beauty
• The mountain huts (that you can sleep in!)

I’ve visited the beautiful city 3 times, finally coming back to live here in 2023. And I’ve come up with the ultimate list of reasons why you should also add Bariloche to your Argentina bucket list.

If what I already listed isn’t enough to convince you, keep on reading for 11 reasons Bariloche is a place you can’t miss!

11 Reasons You Should Visit Bariloche

It Has Incredible Natural Beauty

Patagonia is known for its awe-inspiring natural beauty, putting it at the top of almost everyone’s travel bucket list. Bariloche is no exception, with bright green lakes, rugged Andean mountain peaks, and forests of tall trees and colorful flowers.

With the views you can already see from the city, it’s hard to believe it could get any more beautiful when you climb into the mountains… but it does.

The landscapes I saw when I went hiking around Bariloche were some of the best I’ve ever seen. Below I’ve included an interactive map of my favorite places in Bariloche to see its incredible natural beauty:

Some of the Most Beautiful Refugio’s and hikes

Bariloche is the access point for some of Patagonia’s most beautiful hikes, and to make it even more incredible, many of the longer hikes end at incredible mountain huts, that you can actually sleep in.

If you’re somebody who likes an adventure, It’s worth coming to the city just to experience Bariloche’s overnight hikes and refugio’s. 

I went to 3 while I was living in the mountain region, Refugio Jakob was my favorite, and while I’ve hiked all over the world, I’d have to say that this was my favorite hike I’ve done in a long time.

The Refugios aren’t just abandoned huts either. Though you do have the option of bringing your own food and tent, the huts also offer full meal service, bunk bed rooms, and bathrooms. 

They’re a great place to meet people from all over the world and explore the wilder more remote parts of the Patagonian Andes.

Here’s a comparison of the three I visited:

	Refugio Frey	Refugio Jakob	Refugio Retamal
Price of 1 Night	$15,000 ARS	$11,000 ARS	$10,000 ARS
Hike Length	9km one way	14km one way	12km one way
Opens in	All year round	October/November	October/November
Bookings	Required: 3 days in advance	Required: No time limit	No bookings taken

*Due to inflation, prices change regularly, so make sure to check official websites as linked for up-to-date cost information*

Local tip: It is mandatory to register before you go on an overnight or large hike, and registration is free. It’s very important to register, and they’re very strict about it. Keep in mind you can only register 48 hours in advance, so bookmark this page!

There’s a Lively Nightlife

While the majority of Patagonia lacks any sort of nightlife, Bariloche is the exception. The city has some of the best clubs and discos in Argentina, spurred largely by the thousands of backpackers and travelers who make their way there every year.

Here are the best clubs and discos in Bariloche:

• Roket (Read more here)
• Grisu (Read more here)
• Cerebro (Read more here)

As well as clubs, Bariloche also has the best bars and Cervecerias (Beer breweries) in the country. If dancing isn’t your thing, here are some of the amazing bars you can head to instead:

• Cerveceria Patagonia (Read more here)
• Manush (Read more here)
• Kuntsmann (Read more here)

World- Famous Food and Drinks

Bariloche has plenty of food to choose from, but the city is especially famous for its beer and chocolate. The main street of the city is lined along both sides with bars and chocolate shops. 

The most famous are Mamushka, known for its massive variety of chocolates; and Rapanui, which is my personal favorite because of its incredible chocolate and strawberry waffles and amazing raspberry chocolate bites.

If delicious chocolate and beer aren’t enough to convince you, the city also has a huge range of other delicious cafes and restaurants. 

From amazing Mexican food at Mexicano Cafe to traditional Argentine empanadas at Oveja Negra, Bariloche has it all!

Outdoor Activities Are Available Year-Round

Bariloche is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, with outdoor activities everywhere and always available. 

In winter, the city transforms to become the backdrop to the country’s biggest ski resort, Catedral Alta Patagonia. Which draws skiers and snowboarders from all over the country, and the world. 

And in the warmer months, you can find kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, windsurfing, freshwater scuba diving, and much more.

It has Unforgettable Scenic Road-trips

From Bariloche, options for scenic road trips are endless. Imagine driving along winding roads through towering snow-capped mountain ranges, surrounded by lakes, colorful flowers, and sprawling forests.

Head South to the tiny town of Esquel along the famous Route 40, which spans from one end of the country to the other. Take a few days to relax in the small hippie town of El Bolson and the surrounding National Park.

Then head up North along the famous Seven Lakes Road. Stop along the way at Villa De Angostura and see the beautiful Los Arrayanes National Parks, which is said to have inspired the Disney movie Bambi.

For a shorter drive, I also recommend Circuito Chico just a few minutes from the town center. This route has some of the best small beaches, lookouts, and mountain views in the city.

There is a Large Expat and Backpacker Community

Bariloche is a hub for ex-pats and digital nomads in Patagonia, being a balance of mountain life, access to facilities, and accessibility. 

This means that Bariloche is full of young people, and every year the summer brings thousands more backpackers from all over the world to the city!

This means that If you’re a young person especially, it couldn’t be easier to meet people and make friends. Traveling can be lonely, so where you go is important, and in my opinion, Bariloche is one of the best places to travel as a backpacker or an expat.

Local tip: If you do visit Bariloche, especially for an extended amount of time, make sure to join Bariloche expat Facebook groups. This is how I met my amazing group of friends, and it’s a great way to connect to fellow foreigners in a new country.

Beautiful Lakes to Spend Your Days Off Relaxing at

Bariloche is set right on the shores of the beautiful Nahuel Huapi Lake, where you can find beautiful coves, clear blue water, and amazing opportunities to swim and kayak. But Nahuel Huapi Isn’t the only lake in Bariloche, not by far.

Gutierrez Lake, characterized by its striking blue-green water is my personal favorite to hike and swim in, and where I go to relax and escape the bustling city.

Though Gutierrez and Nahuel Huapi are my favorite, the city is also surrounded by 5 more incredible lakes you can swim in, kayak, hike around, and explore for a fun day trip, the options are endless.

Bariloche has Lots of Facilities

Bariloche stands out in many ways, but Its access to facilities that the rest of Patagonia doesn’t have has to be one. 

With access to coworking spaces, stable WIFI (relative to the rest of the region), a wide range of grocery stores, libraries, petrol stations, clothing stores, outdoor gear suppliers, medical facilities, and tours. The list goes on. 

There Are Regular Events and Festivals

Bariloche is a lively city, often hosting new events and festivals. From culinary events to music festivals to pop-up art exhibits and car shoes, the list goes on.

It’s not irregular to see massive white tents pop up near the city center, which later fills with food trucks, live music, picnic tables, and a bustling crowd. 

BALC (Bariloche A La Carte) is one amazing festival that you must visit if you’re in the area. It’s a once-a-year culinary festival with a huge range of food, drinks, and a lively atmosphere, It’s undoubtedly one of my favorite events I experienced in the city.

It is the Gateway to Wider Patagonia

And finally, Bariloche is the gateway to the rest of Patagonia. With cheaper flights from Buenos Aires and easy access to much of Central Patagonia’s remote and incredible scenery, Bariloche is the best place to start any Patagonia trip!

Many buses to Ushuaia, El Chalten, and Calafate depart from Bariloche’s bus terminal. This means it’s quite likely that if you want to travel there, it would be easier and cheaper to start your trip in Bariloche anyway.

What You Should Know Before Visiting Bariloche

While Bariloche is an incredible place and certainly worth a visit while you’re in Argentina, there are some important things to know before coming to the famous Patagonian city. 

It’s difficult to Navigate Without a Car (But Not Impossible)

Bariloche is not a small area, and many of the most beautiful things to do are located outside the city center. Buses do run regularly, but unfortunately, buses are very unreliable. 

I’ve spent up to 3 hours waiting for buses in the city center, only to end up having to walk a few hours instead because they never showed up.

If you have a larger budget, there are Ubers and Remises (local taxis which you book in advance) available, but they tend to be very expensive. Otherwise, I’d recommend having a car when visiting Bariloche (or making friends with someone who does!).

It is More Expensive

As you know, with popularity comes higher prices. Patagonia in general is much more expensive than the rest of Argentina, and although Bariloche doesn’t have the highest prices in the region it’s still considered the most expensive city to live in in the country.

Luckily for visitors, the Blue Dollar rate (which you can read more about here), makes Argentina much more affordable for foreigners, just make sure not to base your Bariloche budget on on your budget for the rest of the country.

To find out how to travel for less, even in more expensive areas like this, read my guide on ‘How to Travel for Less Than Rent‘!

The Weather is Very Unpredictable

When I say the weather can be unpredictable I really mean it. While living in Bariloche, I experienced days of 25 degrees Celcius, followed 2 days later by snow and blizzards… In late November. 

While hiking to Refugio Jakob we found ourselves caught in a freak snowstorm that took conditions from this to this overnight. So it’s fair to say you need to be prepared for everything, and only take Bariloche’s weather forecast as a ‘suggestion’.

It Can Get Very Busy in Peak Season

Being the gateway to most of Patagonia, and having so much to offer to visitors means Bariloche gets very busy in peak season.

Crowds make catching public transport, getting tables at famous restaurants, and even grocery shopping much more difficult due to extreme demand on systems that can’t handle it. 

In order to avoid the crowds, and price hikes, and still get great weather, I recommend visiting the city between mid-October and late-November.

The Wrap-Up: Is Bariloche Worth Visiting?

So, is Bariloche worth visiting? Absolutely. Not only is the small mountain city the gateway to some of Patagonia’s most beautiful scenery, but it also has incredible food, drinks, activities, facilities, and community. 

With Patagonia’s natural beauty at your fingertips and access to some of the best experiences in the region just a short drive away, a trip to Bariloche is something that everybody has to experience in their lifetime.

So what are you waiting for? Get traveling!