Mountain town in Río Negro, Argentina
Bariloche
Lake District town with lakeside hikes, Nahuel Huapí views, ski slopes and chocolate shops. Great for outdoors and slow stays; high season gets crowded and costs more than most of Argentina.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,050–1,710Comfortable, one person · $1.6M–2.6MDetails
- Value for money75/100Better value than 74% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJul–Aug, Dec–MarWarmest: Feb, 22°CDetails
- Internet137 MbpsFixed broadband, Argentina medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water comes from Lago Nahuel Huapí and is safe; refill bottles freely.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$26–59Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundLocal buses (Mi Bus)Walkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards work in hotels and most restaurants; cash for small cafés, kiosks, buses (card needed), taxis and discounts.Details
Where to stay in Bariloche
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Centro | First-timers: walkable, restaurants, bus links |
| Lago Moreno and Llao Llao road | Scenic hotels and hikes; need buses or cars |
| Melipal | Quieter residential area, cheaper stays |
| Cerro Catedral (Villa Catedral) | Ski season stays at the slopes |
Apps that work in Bariloche
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| PedidosYa | Restaurants in Centro; fewer options outside |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Plataforma 10: Book long-distance bus tickets
- SUBE: Transit card for buses, Subte and trains
- Taxis: No app taxis you can rely on; use radio taxis or hotel bookings. Taxis queue at the airport and bus terminal.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Argentina.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards work in hotels and most restaurants; cash for small cafés, kiosks, buses (card needed), taxis and discounts. ATMs sometimes run empty in high season.
- Currency: Peso (ARS). US$1 ≈ $1,523.09 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Banelco and Link ATMs take foreign cards but charge a high flat fee per withdrawal with low limits.
- Tipping: Leave about 10% in restaurants, ideally in cash; the 'cubierto' cover charge isn't a tip. Rounding up is enough for taxis.
- Paying by phone: Contactless cards and phone wallets work at most terminals; Mercado Pago QR codes need a local account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- No arrival card or reciprocity fee for most visitors; immigration records your entry electronically.
- Some visa-required nationals holding a valid US visa can apply online for an electronic travel authorization (AVE).
- Extend your stay at a Migraciones office before it expires; overstays are fined at exit.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 107 · Fire 100
Plugs
Type C, I · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Personal, Claro and Movistar sell cheap prepaid chips in their shops with a passport; activation can be fiddly, so international eSIMs are easier. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Argentina
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.