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Weather in Bariloche
Patagonian Andes lakeside chocolate town
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About Bariloche
Bariloche sprawls in a glacial valley beneath 8,000-foot peaks, a Swiss-Chilean hybrid where chocolate shops line pedestrian streets and Patagonian lakes gleam turquoise below hanging glaciers. The town pulses with trekking culture, ski resorts rule winter, and the surrounding national parks rank among South America's most spectacular.
Best months to visit
January, February, December
Things to do in Bariloche
Cerro Campanario chair lift and panorama viewpoint
Fitz Roy and Laguna de los Tres Picos day hike
Circuito Chico scenic drive: lakes and mountain vistas
Trekking Lake District: Laguna Negra and glacial valleys
Chocolate shop and artisanal ice cream culinary crawl
Ski season winter sports: Cerro López and area resorts
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
Recommended
January
22C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
February
22C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
March
19C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
April
14C
Cool, with occasional showers.
May
9C
Cold, with some rainy days.
June
6C
Cold, with regular rainfall.
July
5C
Cold, with regular rainfall.
August
6C
Cold, with regular rainfall.
September
9C
Cold, with some rainy days.
October
12C
Cool, with occasional showers.
November
16C
Cool, with occasional showers.
Recommended
December
20C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
San Carlos de Bariloche sits on the shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake in Argentine Patagonia, its alpine architecture and chocolate shops giving it a distinctly Swiss-influenced character against a backdrop of forested mountains and turquoise lakes. The surrounding national park offers hiking, the famous Circuito Chico scenic drive, and in winter, the region's main ski resort, Cerro Catedral.
Best areas to stay in Bariloche
Centro Cívico
The town's central square with its distinctive stone-and-wood architecture and lake views.
Circuito Chico
A scenic drive/cycle loop around nearby lakes and viewpoints, including Llao Llao.
Cerro Catedral
The main ski resort area, about 20 minutes from town, also used for summer chairlift rides and hiking.
Llao Llao Peninsula
A forested peninsula with lake and mountain views, home to the historic Llao Llao Hotel.
Getting to Bariloche
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Flights
Teniente Luis Candelaria Airport (BRC) is about 15-20 minutes from the town centre, with flights from Buenos Aires (~2 hours).
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From London
~15-20 minutes by taxi from the airport.
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Getting around
The town centre is walkable; rental cars, buses and tours cover the Circuito Chico, Cerro Catedral and Llao Llao.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Bariloche?
December to March (summer) is best for hiking and lake activities, while June to September is the ski season at Cerro Catedral.
What is the Circuito Chico?
A scenic loop drive or cycle route around lakes and viewpoints just outside Bariloche, one of the most popular short excursions in the area.
Is Bariloche known for chocolate?
Yes — the town has a strong Swiss/German chocolate-making tradition, with numerous chocolate shops, especially along the main street.
Can you ski near Bariloche?
Yes — Cerro Catedral, one of South America's largest ski resorts, is about 20 minutes from the town centre.
How do you get to Bariloche?
Flights connect Bariloche to Buenos Aires (about 2 hours); it's also a stop on the scenic Lakes Crossing route to/from Puerto Varas, Chile.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Drove the Circuito Chico ourselves and stopped at viewpoint after viewpoint — the lake colours were almost unreal.
Julieta M. · January 2024
★★★★☆
Skied Cerro Catedral for a couple of days and the views over the lakes from the slopes were as good as the skiing itself.
Felix R. · August 2023
★★★★☆
Ate far too much chocolate but it felt mandatory, and the alpine-style town centre made a nice change of scenery after the desert north.
Daniela V. · February 2024
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