Bariloche: what to do, where to eat and exchange tips – 08/17/2023 – Tourism

Bariloche continues to be one of the favorite destinations for Brazilians, and it’s no wonder. There is appeal for all ages and profiles, from extreme sports in the snow to peaceful walks through the city’s commercial center.

Another highlight is the excellent value for money of the local cuisine, with generous portions and plenty of meat and fish at attractive prices, considering the devaluation of the Argentine currency against the real.

This week, the sprint of ultraliberal deputy Javier Milei in the primary elections made the dollar soar (in its parallel modality, it is close to 700 pesos) and Argentine debt securities plummeted. The exchange rate favors the influx of tourists from Brazil, but certain precautions must be taken.

With high inflation it is common for prices to jump from one day to the next.

See below a practical guide for the Brazilian traveler who wants to go to the ski destination in Argentina

WHAT TO EAT IN BARILOCHE

Say goodbye to everyday rice and beans. In the Patagonian city, people eat a lot of red meat, as well as fish, usually with chips or pasta — and preceded by the traditional Argentine empanadas.

In restaurants, so-called ‘propinas’ (tips) are to be expected, as there is no fixed 10% service fee charged directly by establishments. The final bill, however, should still be lower than restaurants of similar quality in cities like São Paulo.

Even in the best restaurants in the region, such as the Bechamel Club House, located in the five-star resort Llao Llao, it is possible to enjoy hearty portions paying less or the same as you would spend in São Paulo.

Those who love chocolates and sweets can indulge in Mamushka, where the demand is such in high season that the ubiquitous queues are organized by passwords.

It is possible to escape the crowds in the equally good Rapanui, which offers chocolate branches for 1,000 pesos, and alfajores for 500 pesos. But you need to be careful: prices vary quickly — in the first week of July, they jumped 100 pesos from Thursday to Sunday. They were also about 50 pesos more expensive at the franchise store at the Bariloche airport.

Before returning to Brazil, it is also worth visiting one of the supermarkets in the city, such as La Anónima (Gobernador, Quaglia 311) to buy Argentine dulce de leche (pots at 370 pesos).

WHAT TO DO IN BARILOCHE AND SURROUNDINGS?

Do you want to play in the snow? With its peso devalued, Bariloche wins back Brazilian tourists who go to Cerro Catedral, the most famous ski center in the region. At Cerro Otto, you can zip line in the snow, ride the cable car and have lunch at the revolving restaurant on top of the snowy mountain. In the Piedras Blancas complex, options range from skiing to a snow safari.

Few actually manage to balance on ski to the point of going down a mountain at high speed, sliding with their hair in the wind, but those who want to do it now also have the option of practicing the sport in the snowy Patagonian night.

At Winter Night, an experience offered to Brazilians by tour operator CVC, it is possible to take a beginner’s ski lesson before taking a chance on one of the local slopes. At the end of one, a lighted dome welcomes tired skiers to a restaurant with live music and a bar.

Tired moms and dads can also enjoy a hot chocolate in heated cafes in most of the snowy ski mountains or visit Cervejaria Patagonia, a bar-restaurant that offers a tasting menu of different versions of the drink, produced on site.

Couples in love can enjoy Argentine wines and chocolates by a fireplace in a chalet or boutique hotel in the charming Villa La Angostura. Nature lovers, alone or in groups, will enjoy the beautiful views on lake walks around the region and the unmissable Path of the Seven Lakes, between Bariloche and San Martín de Los Andes.

Those who prefer not to venture into the snow can still walk around the Civic Center of Bariloche. If the shops on the famous Rua Miter are not attractive for the hefty prices of items such as warm clothing, decorations and shoes, it is still possible to check out varied gastronomic options, have fun at the Casino Club or walk along Av. 12 de Octubre looking out over the cerulean lake Nahuel Huapi.

At the friendly Libreria Cultura (San Martín, 243), you can buy postcards from the region for 300 pesos. Chilean Isabel Allende’s latest release in Spanish, “The Wind Knows My Name”, is priced at 10,100 pesos. For those drawn to the city by its lush nature, the store also offers treasured titles that are harder to find online, such as the illustrated “Flores de Bariloche” (3,500 pesos)

TIPS FOR EXCHANGE

In any season, the biggest headache for tourists in Argentina is the exchange rate. Before travelling, it is necessary to understand the differences between the official exchange rate and the blue one.

In Bariloche, credit cards are accepted in several tourist locations, but you must pay attention to the exchange rate applied, the impact of the IOF tax on the final bill and fees of up to 30% applied by some places for payment in this modality.

Most payments, however, are made in cash. With accumulated inflation between June 2022 and the same month of that year at 115.6%, according to Indec (National Institute of Statistics and Censuses of Argentina) it is possible to spend more than a week in the country without seeing a single coin. The smallest banknote in circulation is 100 pesos. It is not uncommon for tourists and their companions to travel around with backpacks full of bills to cover expenses such as food and tips.

Dollar and real are even accepted in places like restaurants, but the conversion applied when closing the account may not be worth it.

For Brazilians, an option that may compensate is sending money through transfer companies such as Western Union, which offer more advantageous exchange rates than the official one. The problem could be the queues to withdraw money in Bariloche — when there are enough banknotes in the establishment.

CLIMATE IN BARILOCHE

Snow is expected in the region between June and the end of September, which is considered the high season. The lowest temperatures, between July and August, vary between -5° and 5°, on average.

In summer, snow boots give way to trail shoes, kayaks and towels laid out by the lakes. The heat is mild compared to the Brazilian summer, with highs of 25º. The water in the lakes remains cold, with an average of 12º, which may not please anyone who enjoys a more tropical summer.

Residents of the region also warn of the effects of the “climate change”, already felt there – the snow expected for June 2023 arrived weeks later, delayed by the rains, and it is increasingly difficult to predict the weather and plan trips accordingly. .

TRANSPORT IN BARILOCHE

Staying close to the commercial center is a good option, since moving around the city can be a challenge for tourists. There are buses that cover the tourist region, but waiting for vehicles in the cold of 0º in winter is not the most pleasant task.

Taxis are competitive and expensive, and ride-hailing services such as Uber are struggling to operate in the city. Driving on ice requires aptitude, and it is not uncommon to see tourist cars parked on the side of the mountains, surprised by tire slips on the curved roads. Tour packages that offer transport from the hotel to the ski centers are safer.

Where to do snow activities

Cerro Catedral
Base Cerro Catedral. More information on the website

White Stones
Cerro Otto, R8400. More information on the website

Cerro Otto
Av. De los Pioneros, Km 5. More information on the website

Restaurants and coffee shops

Mamuschka Chocolate
R. Miter, 298. More information on the website.

Rapanui
R Miter, 202. More information on the website.

Patagonia Brewery
Cto. Boy, R8400. More information on the website.

casino club
R. San Martín, 535

Travel packages

CVC
Packages from BRL 6,400 (round-trip airfare on a direct flight, with checked luggage, 7 nights accommodation with breakfast, transfers and panoramic tour) to BRL 9,980 (also includes a tour to Cerro Catedral with panoramic ascent, Ski Day and tour to Villa Angostura). Values ​​payable in up to 10 installments. cvc.com.br/