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Looking for the best things to do in San Carlos de Bariloche? You’ve come to the experts!
Bariloche is one of the best towns we’ve traveled to, and we’ve been all over Argentina. There truly is so much to do here that we had trouble fitting it all on our first visit.
If you’re feeling that same pressure, don’t worry! We’ve narrowed down the top activities in Bariloche, whether you’re looking for culture, enjoying the rugged wilderness, or something in between.
All you have to do is read through our list, book your ideal bucket-list experience, and pack your bags – Bariloche, here we come!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this scenic drive on the Road of Seven Lakes! Taking an organized tour lets you enjoy the views the whole way. Check out the dozens of 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Tip: Book this tour in advance and get FREE cancellation before you go!
Things to do in Bariloche
1. Drive the Road of the Seven Lakes
The Road of the Seven Lakes is a famous drive in the area of Bariloche. This particular stretch of road drives past 7 absolutely stunning lakes: Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, and Machonico – hence the name. In total, the trip from Bariloche to San Martin de Los Andes is 118 miles (190 km) and takes around 3.5 hours each way.
While the drive is stunning, combined it is nearly 248 miles (400 km) or a 7-hour round trip – and that’s if you don’t make any stops! We weren’t up for that much driving and opted to take this full-day tour from Bariloche instead!
We had a fantastic time on this day trip. Not having to worry about directions or driving allowed both of us to take in the scenery and the sights. It includes round trip transfer from your hotel in Bariloche. The tour took us along the road of the Seven Lakes with many stops to take photos. We then made it to San Martin de Los Andes and had about 3 hours to explore. I loved the Swiss-inspired architecture with the Patagonian landscape in the background!
Lunch isn’t included in the tour price, but there were a lot of restaurants to choose from in San Martin. After you see all the sights, you’ll be back in town around 5 pm. The tour is $184 USD and was well worth the price if you ask us!
Book this scenic full-day tour now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
2. Fly Fishing
When in Argentina, what better lake activity is there than a day fishing on the water? If you love fishing and find yourself in the area during the summer months, make sure to spend a day on the lake.
If you are looking for a guided fishing experience, this all-inclusive full-day guided fishing tour has it all! Built for luxury, this tour includes a round-trip transfer from your hotel in Bariloche, all your fishing gear, drinks including alcoholic ones, a delicious Argentine steak lunch, snacks, and a guided chartered fishing boat.
No experience is required – if you’re new to fishing the staff aboard this fishing tour will happily teach you all you need to know to enjoy your day on the water. You’ll be fishing for wild rainbow and brown trout in the clear waters of Nahuel Huapi National Park.
This tour is $620 USD per group of 2 people, which truly isn’t a bad price for how epic an experience this is!
Book this tour with more than 270 5-star reviews here!
3. Go on a walking tour
Walking through a new town is always one of my favorite things to do when traveling. To my surprise, Bariloche is steeped in World War II history. Many Germans who fled the war ended up in Argentina.
This German footprint walking tour in Bariloche is a 1.5-hour look at the storied town with the help of a guide. It includes stories and facts about the time after World War II and how the town changed and was influenced by immigration from Germany.
The interesting architecture and the town’s sports culture will also be discussed during this tour. The local tour guide is passionate about history, so you learn a lot and hear some really interesting tales along the way. The tour is offered in English and Spanish and is only $35 USD per person.
This is one of the most popular tours in Bariloche with more than 200 5-star reviews (see them all here!).
Dates are limited – book this unique tour in advance here.
4. Hike Cerro Tronador
Hiking Cerro Tronador was one of of favorite activities that we did while in Bariloche.
While it is less popular than other hikes in the area, the entire experience completely blew us away. You’ll see lakes, rivers, and glaciers as you make your way through the area.
Cerro Tronador is located 56 miles (90 km) outside Bariloche in Nahuel Huapi National Park. We think this guided hiking tour is the easiest way to tackle the mountain, as they provide transportation, show you the trail, and teach you all about this beautiful landscape.
The hike from Pampa Linda to the base of Cerro Tronador is an 8.7 mile (14 km) hike that took us about 4.5 hours. Starting in a lush forest, the hike up the mountain is quite challenging. As you ascend the mountain, you will begin walking on volcanic rock and be completely exposed to the elements. Be sure to dress appropriately and bring a lot of water, a good sun hat, and sunscreen – you will need it!
The hike back down the mountain was definitely easier and took us about 3 hours. This hike is well worth the effort.
This 8-hour tour includes a round-trip transfer from your hotel in Bariloche and takes you past all the best sights. Your guide will take you through the town of Pampa Linda and then take a guided walk to the Ventisquero Negro Glacier and views of the peaks of Cerro Tronador. The tour costs $155 USD but does not include the national park entrance fee so be sure to have $15,000 pesos (about $15 USD).
This tour is likely to sell out – book your spot now and pay later!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
5. Go horseback riding
Horseback riding in different countries has become one of my favorite ways to see an area. It’s a relaxing experience, that often leads to some stunning viewpoints.
We took this half-day horseback riding tour that started at one of the oldest ranches in the area, which spans over 62,000 acres. We got the chance to ride in the foothills of the Andes, the Patagonian steppe, and even into the forest. The expert guide was also great at pointing out wildlife along the way.
The tour includes two hours of riding time for a cost of $165 USD. If you’re not a confident rider, not to worry! This tour includes basic riding techniques for beginners.
The tour lasts for 6 hours and starts out with a light breakfast. It also features a yummy three-course lunch with a traditional asado (a feast of barbecued meats) along with an open bar, as if it could get any better!
Check out the dozens of 5-star reviews and book your spot here!
6. Go kayaking
Paddling on the water is one of our favorite things to do no matter what country we’re in. It’s so peaceful when you’re coasting along the water between paddles while enjoying the scenery. There are so many beautiful lakes around Bariloche that we had trouble picking which one we wanted to kayak!
This kayak paddling adventure tour helped us narrow it down! The tour takes you to Moreno Lake or Nahuel Huapi or both, depending on if you’re an experienced kayaker or not. It comes with all the gear you need and an open agenda, so you can customize the itinerary.
This day spent on the lakes of Northern Patagonia quickly became one of our top things to do in San Carlos de Bariloche. We didn’t have to plan a thing, so we could just enjoy. The fiberglass kayaks offered a super smooth ride and we even paddled to an isolated beach for lunch and swimming!
Everything you need is included in the $160 USD tour cost – from transportation to lunch and all your gear. It’s an easy adventure to book for your time in Bariloche.
Check availability and reserve this 5-star tour here!
7. Visit Cerro Catedral
Cerro Catedral Mountain is located 12 miles (19 km) from San Carlos de Bariloche. It is the largest ski resort in the southern hemisphere and one of those must-do things in Bariloche.
The 32 chair lifts found on the mountain connect the 75 miles (120 km) of slopes. You will find great restaurants, ski rental shops, and lots of choices for accommodation on the ski and snowboard hills as well.
This area is great to visit, no matter what time of year you visit. In the summer months, you will enjoy beautiful sightseeing, great hikes, fantastic mountain biking trails, climbing trails, delicious restaurants, and more. In the winter, the area comes alive being one of the most popular skiing destinations in the country.
You can easily get here by taking this half-day tour to Cerro Cathedral Peak! It costs $59 USD and includes round-trip transfer from your Bariloche hotel. This tour will get you to the mountain where you will have free time to explore the area. You can go on some nice hikes or take the ski lift to the base of the mountain where you will find a little village full of restaurants and cafes.
I love how this tour is only 4 hours so you can add it to your busy Bariloche itinerary.
Reserve your spot here and get flexible cancellation and payment options.
8. Visit Victoria Island and the Arrayanes Forest
If you’re someone who enjoys the outdoors, you’re going to love visiting the Quetrihué peninsula – where both Victoria Island and the Arrayanes Forest can be found.
The only way to see both of these spots is by boat are they are surrounded by Lake Nahuel Huapi. There are catamarans that leave from the Puerto Pañuelo pier, but we opted for this boat tour, so everything was taken care of for us. The tour was about 7 hours long, including pick-up from our hotel in Bariloche and two stops on the island and peninsula.
One of the stops is Bosque de Arrayanes which is in the Parque Nacional Los Arrayanes. Here you’ll get to see 300-year-old trees that have distinct light brown twisted trunks. It looks like a photograph out of a children’s fairytale book.
Isla Victoria is the other stop on this tour. Victoria Island features white sand beaches, lush forests, and crystal clear water. We recommend coming in the summer so you can take advantage of the beautiful water and jump in and swim – it hovers around 57°F (14°C) in peak summer. We found this tour to be well worth the cost of $143 USD per person. They made our day of exploration seamless and this area is simply goregous!
Check availability and book this tour here with FREE cancellation options.
9. White water Rafting
A step up from gentle kayaking, get the adrenaline pumping by navigating some rapids!
This white water rafting tour takes you rafting along a section of the Manso River. The route goes through some of the most amazing scenery and ends near the border of Chile. You’ll navigate some narrow canyons and rapids with names like Scrambled Egg! During the calm sections, you can enjoy the beauty of the Andes around you. Make sure to look up to spot Andean condors soaring above.
You will be picked up from your hotel and get to relax while you get to the starting point. This tour includes everything you need including a wetsuit, a professional guide, and even coffee and croissants – well worth the $195 USD.
Where to Stay in Bariloche, Argentina
Whether you are preparing to explore all the amazing Bariloche activities or need a place to rest after a long hiking day we recommend staying right in Bariloche. There are a lot of accommodation options to choose from, so here’s our list of the top hostels and hotels for any budget to make planning easier.
Luxury – $$$
Arelauquen Bungalows & Suites is located on the Arelauquen Golf Pro and Country Club. This facility is truly beautiful! They offer entire bungalows that hold 2-4 adults and have a full kitchen, balcony, and spa tub. You will have incredible lake views around the property and most rooms. It has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, and a spa.
At just $210 USD for a two-person bungalow, this place is a steal. The only con is being a 25-minute drive from downtown. Check availability on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
Located right in town, Hotel Ayres Del Nahuel has something for everyone! It’s moderately priced, has a fitness center, a library for children, and is right off the lake. The rooms range from a classic double to a superior family with a lake view, depending on your budget. But the location is the main selling point, as you’ll be right in downtown Bariloche.
Prices start around $130 USD and can be booked on Booking.com.
Budget – $
HOPA-Home Patagonia Hostel & Bar is located several streets away from the main party zone you will be able to sleep without all the noise. Plus the hostel has an on-site bar if you want to socialize with other travelers. A dorm bed here starts at $12 USD and this property includes breakfast and has an average-sized shared kitchen, free wifi, and luggage storage provided. One of the main cons here is the limited number of bathrooms.
You can book HOPA-Home Patagonia Hostel on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Renting a Car in Argentina
We enjoyed a rental car for our second trip to Argentina when we traveled in Patagonia – and wow, what a way to travel! But the best part was that we only paid $40 USD per day for a 5-person sedan!
But how? Well, if you’re renting a car in Argentina, the cheapest company is Discover Cars. We often get questions from readers asking us if the website is fake because it seems too cheap! It’s a great website and the one we used for our rental.
If you do want to compare prices (and you should), do a quick search on Airport Car Rentals too. They’re another big competitor and each company often has its own deals to offer!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
We had so much fun exploring Bariloche and found the city packed full of exciting activities. If you’re heading to Argentina, we highly recommend stopping in Bariloche to explore the area. We hope you liked reading about all the many things to do in San Carlos de Bariloche and that it helped you plan your trip.
If you are planning a trip to Central America, check out our other Argentina blogs before you go! We’ve traveled to large cities and remote parts of this country and found some truly hidden gems while exploring that we would love to share with you.
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