green trees near lake under blue sky during daytime

Bariloche

Visit Bariloche for hikes in the Patagonian Andes, cold-water beaches and winter skiing at Cerro Catedral. The city is a base for trips across the Lakes District.

Find a room in Bariloche Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Bariloche

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Bariloche, officially San Carlos de Bariloche, is the largest city in Río Negro province, Argentina. It sits on the southern shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi in the Patagonian Andes, near the Chilean border. Nahuel Huapi National Park and other reserves surround the city, which is a base for trips across the Lakes District. Visitors come for hiking, fishing, whitewater rafting and birdwatching. Nearby Cerro Catedral is South America’s largest ski resort; most visitors come to ski in winter, roughly June to September.

Bariloche is known for its chocolates and Swiss-style architecture. The city centre was redesigned in the 1930s to resemble an alpine town. Opened in 1940, the Civic Centre is built of tuff stone, slate and Fitzroya wood. In summer, people swim and sunbathe at beaches such as Playa Bonita and Villa Tacul. Lake Nahuel Huapi averages about 14 °C in summer, but its water remains cold because of melting snow. For trekking, a few high-mountain huts are run by Club Andino Bariloche.

Bariloche in five

Drive or cycle the Circuito ChicoA loop of about 60 km west of town past lakes and viewpoints. Take the Cerro Campanario chairlift on the way for the classic view.
Book mountain huts in summerRefugios such as Frey fill up from December to March. Check hut rules and bring a sleeping bag.
Plan winter around the snow, not the calendarCerro Catedral's season depends on snowfall, and July school holidays are the busiest weeks. Check the resort's lift status before you book flights.
Take the Seven Lakes road northRoute 40 links Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes past a string of lakes. Allow a full day.Chile

Things to do in Bariloche

See all attractions in Bariloche

Sight · BarilocheCerro CatedralFor skiing or snowboarding, plan for the peak winter months and check snow and lift conditions before you go.

a church in the middle of a city with mountains in the background

Church · BarilocheCathedral Our Lady of Nahuel HuapiFree guided tours in Spanish, focused on architecture and sculptures, take place Thursdays at 5:30 pm.

Sight · BarilocheCerro OttoCheck road access and cable-car operations before setting out, and confirm the return service if you ride up.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to BarilochePut the places you like in Bariloche on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Bariloche (BRC), about 20–30 min from town
Getting there: Flights from Buenos Aires; buses from across Argentina and Chile
Getting around: Local buses to trailheads; a car for the lake roads
Best base: The town center, or the lakeshore road west of town
Time needed: 4–5 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh22°Low8°Hiking season
FebruaryClear4 rainy daysHigh21°Low9°Warm, dry
MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh17°Low7°Autumn color
AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Cool, quiet
MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh8°Low2°Rain, snow
JuneRain15 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh5°Low-1°Snow
JulyRain14 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh4°Low-2°Ski, busy
AugustRain15 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh6°Low-1°Ski season
SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh8°Low0°Late ski
OctoberClear9 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low1°Windy, quiet
NovemberClear8 rainy daysHigh15°Low4°Spring
DecemberClear5 rainy daysHigh19°Low6°Summer starts

Average daily high and low in Bariloche, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Bariloche

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 10°
Humidity: 37%
Wind: 10 km/h
Chance of rain: 6%

Bariloche

05:43 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-3

Today16°5°6%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 16°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 6%.
Tue12°6°92%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 92%.
Wed13°7°6%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 6%.
Thu11°5°73%Thursday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 73%.
Fri15°4°6%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 15°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 6%.
Sat21°6°2%Saturday: Clear. High 21°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 2%.
Sun25°9°0%Sunday: Clear. High 25°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 03:29 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,537 ARS

Amount

Converted to

ARS · Argentine Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Villa La AngosturaAbout 1.5 hours by roadLakeside village and the Arrayanes forest.
Cerro TronadorAbout 2.5 hours by roadGlaciers on an extinct volcano; roads are gravel.
El BolsónAbout 2 hours by roadCraft market and hikes in a green valley.

Before you go to Bariloche

Lake and glacier toursTronador and Circuito Chico day toursCompare tours

Car for the Seven Lakes roadCheck road and tire rules in winterCompare cars

eSIM for PatagoniaTrailheads and lake roads lose signalRead the guide

Insurance for ski and hiking tripsMountain rescue and winter delaysRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for Bariloche, checked

Check Argentina’s entry requirements with the National Directorate of Migration for your passport before you travel.Source
Use a SUBE card on Mibus city buses; the Las Grutas service to Dina Huapi uses a separate card.

Plan around Bariloche

All of Argentina

Entry rules, money and the regions

Read the guide El Calafate

Glacier country, a flight south

Read the guide Mendoza

Wine country, a flight or a long bus north

Read the guide Chile

The lake route and passes across the Andes

Read the guide Getting around

Buses, flights and cars across the Andes

Read the guide Travel insurance

Mountain rescue and winter delays

Read the guide

Bariloche FAQ

When is the best time to visit Bariloche?

December to March for hiking and lakes, and the snowy months for skiing. April brings autumn color and fewer people.

Do I need a car in Bariloche?

Not for the town or the main trailheads, which local buses reach. A car makes the Circuito Chico and the Seven Lakes road much easier.

Can I cross to Chile from Bariloche?

Yes. Buses cross to Osorno and Puerto Montt by the Cardenal Samoré pass, and a lake-and-bus route runs to Puerto Varas. Check the pass in winter.

How many days do you need in Bariloche?

Four days cover the Circuito Chico, a lake day and one hike. Add two for a hut overnight, Cerro Tronador or the Seven Lakes road.

Is Bariloche better in summer or winter?

Choose summer for hiking, lake swimming and long days, and winter if skiing is the point. Shoulder months are quieter but some huts and services run reduced hours.