Fall in Bariloche, Argentina
San Carlos de Bariloche is a city located in the Province of Río Negro, Argentina, and is situated at the foothills of the Andes Mountain Range. I’m a big fan of shoulder season travel because lodging can be cheaper, the crowds are cut in half and you typically still experience the same excitement. I was worried that visiting Bariloche in the fall would be a lesser experience but it was magical. Experiencing the fall colors of the trees and feeling the cool crisp air was so special. Below is everything you need to know about exploring Bariloche in the fall.
Fall Hiking in Bariloche
BEST TIME TO GO
Seasons are inverted south of the equator so the official fall season in Bariloche is March 21-June 20. The last 2 weeks of April or the first 2 weeks of May are a safe bet for fall colors. Keep in mind Winter can always come early or late so be prepared for those changes. This is when the crowds start to die down so it makes for an easy trip to plan with lodging not being booked out (and typically at a cheaper rate!).
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT IN AUTUMN
The fall colors in this area are so gorgeous as they are nestled in the surrounding mountains; Bariloche is technically part of the Patagonia region. The cost of visiting is 30% less than the peak seasons of summer and winter according to experts. There are far fewer tourists visiting in Autumn so it’s a much more relaxed experience as you don’t have to fight crowds. Everyone wants to see quintessential Patagonia in the south (as they should!) but this region tends to offer milder conditions making it a safer bet to get out into nature without an intense weather delay. Locals who’ve grown up in Bariloche say their favorite time to hike is in the fall because there are no mosquitos or crowds and you get to experience the scenery in solitude!
WHAT TO DO
Hike amongst the fall colors
This was the most magical part of visiting Bariloche in the fall. There was so much contrast in colors on our hike, including stunning cloud formations and fog, making for a moody backdrop to our hike. We completed the Refugio Frey hike (10/10 recommend) and were rewarded with a cozy Refuge that served hot empanadas and mate at the top of the mountain overlooking a scenic alpine lake. You can use All Trails to pick out a hike that suits your mood; here is a guide to trekking in Bariloche. The Llao Llao area has shorter hikes with incredible views if you need a break from the intense + longer hikes to the Refugios.
(TIP: There are multiple Refugios (similar to fire lookout towers in the U.S.) that have a reservation system if you are interested in backpacking and staying overnight. They also have cafes and have quite the community at the top of the mountain': a great way to experience the alpine culture here!)
Hiking Refugio Frey
Road Trip to Villa Angostura
The drive around the lakes was absolutely breathtaking and there is still plenty to hike and do doing the autumn season! This little town is so quaint & it’s never a bad idea to stay for your home base if that’s what you’re looking for. We took a day trip here (roughly 1 hour from Bariloche), explored the adorable downtown, and went hiking in Parque Nacional Los Arrayanes. If you’re interested in horseback riding, kayaking or mountain biking here is a great local company that can set you up with any adventure.
(TIP: If you are doing a day trip here I highly recommend renting a car so you can leisurely drive and enjoy the views. There are multiple road trip options to explore the lakes. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, there is a bus station in Bariloche that has multiple day trips to Villa La Angostura but be sure to take the earliest one possible (AND BRING YOUR PASSPORT- they require it for most regional buses) to maximize your whole day.)
Hiking Parque Nacional Los Arrayanes
Enjoy Tea or lunch at Llao Llao Hotel
If you’re looking for a more relaxing day with beautiful scenery I highly recommend going to Llao Llao Hotel. You can either take the city bus (the last stop drops you right into the hotel) or you can take a taxi from Bariloche for roughly $10 USD. The property is so stunning and rustic and the lounge overlooks beautiful lakes and mountains. You can either get a light bite here or enjoy a full meal. We popped in for tea and empanadas and it was more than I expected it to be. The tea came with a full set including my own teapot and the Venao (deer) empanada was one of the best I had in Bariloche!
Explore The Chocolate Capital of Argentina
If you weren’t aware of this region’s talent for chocolate making you can walk down Calle Mitre or “The Avenue of Chocolate Dreams” to see it for yourself. It felt like every other store was chocolate and it pays homage to the strong European influence in the region! My absolute favorite was the original Rapa Nui for their truffles and other delectable treats, and we even visited another of their locations in the trendy neighborhood of Palermo, Buenos Aires. When I saw it I had to pop in to soothe my sweet tooth. We tried other chocolate shops and Mamushka is in my opinion, the only other store that competes with Rapa Nui. With all the chocolate options you’ll have to experience it yourself. Here is an awesome article that dives into the rich history of chocolate making in Bariloche.
Truffles & Lattes at Rapa Nui
Fly Fishing
Booking a fly fishing charter is a unique opportunity to experience the bountiful rivers of the region and even see some of the wildlife. If you are a beginner or an expert the strong fishing culture in Bariloche will suit anyone’s needs. You have options to charter a float raft for a whole or half day with an experienced guide who will help you target trucha (trout) and other species. Our guide with Bariloche Fishing Trips gave us an amazing experience and they are one of the only English- speaking companies. Spending the day on the water was a unique perspective and although the fish are more active in summer, there’s still plenty of opportunity to land a big one!
Circuito Chico
One of Bariloche’s main attractions. It can be completed by foot, bike, car, or bus and it takes the route to the Llao Llao area. Here is a great guide on how to experience Circuito Chico!
(TIP: The Llao Llao Hotel falls in this circuit so if spending a day here interests you, you can combine the two on this day!
Peruse the Main Square & Artisanal Markets
The town of Bariloche itself is bustling and although it may have lost its quaint, small-town charm, there are still a lot of small shops and areas to explore. Small artisanal markets tucked in between the unique architecture can be found all over town and are especially vibrant during the holidays. You can find locals selling anything from handmade mates (teacups) to custom steak knives.
Visit The Teahouses & Craft Breweries
Bariloche has over 300 craft breweries and many teahouses that are a perfect activity for fall. Among the popular teahouses are Chiado, Casa De Te Blend, and Bellevue Salón de té - Queso, Pan y Vino. This article provides some of the best breweries to visit in Bariloche.
The National Chocolate Festival
If you happen to be visiting around Easter, the master chocolatiers are making the Longest Chocolate Bar in the World which is a site to see including shows, games, and easter events.
WHERE TO EAT
HERE is a separate blog post on where to eat in Bariloche, Argentina.
TRANSPORTATION
The airport is roughly 40 minutes away from the city of Bariloche. There are public buses that can take you from the airport to the bus station if you have a SUBE card (can be purchased at convenience stores or the Civic Center of the city). You can take a taxi ($20 USD), or find a fairly priced shared van by asking around (roughly $10 USD). Once you are in the city, it is easy to walk around to restaurants and the main attractions but the main bus station is a 40 minute walk outside of town. Since a lot of the activities I mentioned are not right in Bariloche, you can either take the public bus, taxi or rent a car. My recommendation is to only rent a car for one day if you are driving all the way to Villa La Angostura, but otherwise, the buses and taxis were able to take us everywhere we wanted to be!
Here are the links for transportation in Bariloche
Bus information here
Rental car information here
Overall, you can still experience so much in Bariloche during the fall season in such a unique way. After speaking with locals on our trip, they believe fall is the best time to visit and I agree!
