San Carlos de Bariloche, or simply Bariloche,is a city in Argentina in the province of Rio Negro , located among the mountain ranges of the Southern Andes on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi.
It is a spa town with a long and strong tradition, The name Bariloche comes from the Araucan word Vuriloche, meaning “people from beyond the mountains.” It originated from the Poya tribe’s use to refer to people crossing the Andes, and has long been kept secret from European priests. Since the late 19th century, the city has been inhabited by German-speaking immigrants: Swiss, Austrians, Germans, as well as Slovenes, Italians and Chileans. Bariloche was built up like a typical Alpine town, many of its buildings were made of wood and stone.
Surrounded by lakes (Nahuel Huapi, Gutierrez, Moreno and Mascardi) and mountains (Tronador, Cerro Catedral and Cerro Lopez). San Carlos de Bariloche is a popular destination for foreign tourists. It is known for its ski resorts as well as sightseeing attractions, water sports, trekking and mountain climbing. Mount Cerro Catedral is one of the most important skiing in South America.
In November 2012, Bariloche was named “national capital of adventure tourism” under Law 26802 sanctioned by the Argentine National Congress .Bariloche is also known for chocolate production and the German and Swiss cultural heritage.
Access : Coordinates: -41.15, -71.3 / The capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, is 1,650 km away. Several airlines provide a regular connection with this one from the airport of the city (IATA code: BRC) in approximately two hours. International flights also serve the city. By road, coaches provide service in 19 hours. Bariloche is connected by rail (Tren Patagonico) to Viedma the capital of the province of Rio Negro located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean 820 km away. However, the poorly maintained line is only run occasionally by a weekly train traveling at very low speed. Finally, a road (215-CH) passing through the Cardenal Antonio Samoré pass (1314 meters above sea level) connects the city to nearby Chile.
/ From the Chilean side, a reasonable option would be to get here via Osorno. The Osorno-Bariloche route has regular buses that will take you from Chile to Argentina in just 4.5 hours.
Highlights :
- Its natural reserves, which include lakes, forests and mountains, and its outstanding ski centers are the main attraction. The city has been considered by some sources as the second ski destination worldwide and the largest in South America.4 5 It also has the largest birds in the world.San Carlos de Bariloche is often called the Switzerland of South America.
- Bariloche is also one of the most important scientific and technological poles in America, where the Bariloche Atomic Research Center, belonging to the National Atomic Energy Commission, and the Balseiro Institute, of the National University of Cuyo, are located. dictates the career of Physics, Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering and Telecommunications Engineering. The city is the headquarters of INVAP, an Argentine high-tech company that designs and builds nuclear reactors, radars and satellites, among others.
- Neighborhoods of the city of San Carlos de Bariloche : Among its largest and most recognized neighborhoods are Barrio Belgrano, Barrio Belgrano Sudeste, Jardín Botánico, Melipal, and Playa Bonita; These are the most prominent due to their proximity to the city center, except for Barrio Playa Bonita, which is located 8 km from the center.
- Lake Nahuel Huapi : The walks around Lake Nahuel Huapi begin in Puerto Pañuelo. This small port is located very close to the Llao Llao Hotel, and has one of the best landscapes in the area.
- The extensive network of bites and mountain refuges that run through its landscapes and allow visitors to see lakes, mountains and glaciers is noteworthy.
- Bariloche is also the main student tourist center in the country, since the trips of graduates of young people who finish high school take place there.
- Bariloche hosted numerous adventure races such as the two most important of their kind: the American Discovery Channel Eco Challenge in 1999 and the French Raid Gauloises in 1995, becoming the first city in the world to host this type of event. sports. It was also the scene of other events in the country such as the Eco Peugeot, Salomon Adventure Race, Cruce de los Andes, The Huemul Island Escape Triathlon, The Bariloche Classic Windsurf + Kitesurf, The Race of the 4 Refuges, The Cerro Catedral Triathlon, The Patagonian Enduro Championship, Bariloche Llao Llao 21 K Half Marathon, and the first mountain skiing competitions in Argentina and South America such as the Vertical Race and the South American Open.
- The city also held the first Mountaineering Congresses in the 1960s, thus being pioneers in Mountain Rescue and Medicine Courses in the country and also in South America.
- Golf : The city of Bariloche has three golf courses, the oldest is the one located at the Llao Llao Hotel (18 holes), the Arelauquen golf & country club (18 holes) and another 9 holes at km 15 of the road to Llao Llao.
- In Bariloche itself, it is worth seeing the Civic Center, the San Eduardo Chapel, the Cathedral, the Julio Roca Monument, the Municipality with the Clock Tower, the Patagonia Museum and the Sarmiento Library, take a walk along the Miter shopping street and be sure to visit the local Chocolate Museum.
- 15 km. from the city there is another interesting natural attraction of these places – Mount Lev, famous for its caves and rock paintings. During such a three-hour walk, you will visit unusual caves, cypress forest and various observation platforms.
- The ski slopes are located on the Catedral and Otto mountains, which provide an altitude difference from 2388 to 1400 m. Most of the 70 km of slopes are designed for beginners and intermediate skiers (there are 47 slopes in total). However, professionals will not be bored here either – about 25% of the tracks are “black”. There are 20 lifts for athletes, including a six-seat cabin, which is considered one of the best in South America. The infrastructure also boasts snowboarding and freestyle areas, toboggan runs, ski schools and many sports equipment rentals.
Activities : sightseeing / photo opportunities / In winter, the Cerro Catedral winter sports center, one of the largest and most important in South America, attracts skiers and snowboarders / Bariloche serves as a gateway to the Lake District of Argentine Patagonia and a starting point for a variety of hiking trails in picturesque surroundings and this is its main purpose.
Go next : take a catamaran ride to Victoria Island / the famous hippie colony in the town of El Bolson in a mountainous valley / Villa la Angostura – A small very picturesque town about an hours drive from Bariloche, / La Junta is a Chilean town.
