Bariloche

San Carlos de Bariloche is a city in Argentina that is situated at the foot of the Andes at 893 metres above sea level on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi and is surrounded by mountains such as: the Cerro Catedral, Cerro Lopez and Mount Tronador.
The city is located in the province of Rio Negro in the north-west of Patagonia.
The city’s founders came from Austria, Germany and Italy in the early 1900’s.
Bariloche was officially recognised by the Executive of the national government on the 3rd May, 1902.
By 1909, there were already 1,250 inhabitants and the city was connected to Neuquen on the only road in existence in Argentina at that time.

Apart from this, the only other exchange routes were with neighbouring Chile.
It wasn’t until 1934 that the railway reached Bariloche, thus facilitating trade and contributing to the city’s growth which today is home to 110,000 inhabitants.
Between 1937 and 1942 the city underwent a significant period of growth due to the construction of the Cathedral, a hotel and the Civic Centre which housed a library, a museum, the post office, the police station, a customs office, a theatre and the Town Hall.
Thanks to its geographic location, Bariloche is the perfect place for any type of tourism whether you are visiting in winter or in summer and tourism is undoubtedly the town’s main source of income.
The city’s location at the foot of the Andean mountain range is perfect for winter sports such as skiing and the main ski resort is situated at Cerro Catedral.
But it isn’t just the snow that brings the tourists in their thousands, the lake on which the city is situated also provides plenty of opportunities for fun and entertainment.

You can choose from a variety of different options such as canoeing, kayaking, rafting, scuba diving and much more.
In summer, the mountains are ideal for wonderful walks, for trekking, for climbing and for unforgettable rides on horseback or by bicycle.

In other words, for anyone who loves outdoor sports, Bariloche is the perfect place to visit.
Every year, at the beginning of summer, there is a week that is dedicated to the Festival of Adventure Tourism which is an event that heralds the beginning of the summer season and is a real feast of enjoyment for those who love practicing these types of sport.
And if you are looking for somewhere to switch off after a day’s work or an exhausting workout, you can stretch out and relax on the lake’s beautiful beaches such as the Playa Bonita.

However, swimming is only for the brave! The water temperature is unlikely to get above 14° even in summer!
For those who love fishing, there is always plenty of fun to be had as Bariloche is the largest city in the Lake District and provides a wide range of angling and fishing sites.
Even those tourists who are keen on enjoying the local night-life won’t be disappointed as there are so many places in which to spend a delightful evening and a night full of fun.
Throughout the year the city plays host to numerous exhibitions, conferences, concerts and art exhibitions.
And for those who love their food, they will be pleased to know that the city is famous for its chocolate production which is delicious!
Bariloche has a modern airport which is a regular stopover for a variety of different national and international airlines.