Explore Bariloche: Self-Driving Tour in South America’s Little Switzerland Adventure

I have already explored the lake district in neighboring Chile, including Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas, which are at a similar latitude, just separated by the Andes, with the water bodies essentially connected. See Figure 6.

With nothing much to do over the weekend, I decided to embark on an adventure. So, I rented a car, purchased plane tickets, and booked a hotel in advance, setting off on a three-day self-driving tour.

Here’s the itinerary. If it weren’t for my computer being stolen (I was too careless, thinking a small city would be safe), this trip would have been perfect [disappointedR][disappointedR][disappointedR].

Day 1: I flew from Buenos Aires to Bariloche, where the car rental company delivered the car to the airport. We signed the contract and picked up the car. All car rental companies there offer airport pick-up and drop-off services, but if you park for an extended period, you might need to pay for the parking fee yourself.

We drove to the tourist center for lunch and some shopping. The square had a police station nearby, and not many people were around; we were the only ones parked there. The computer was likely stolen here, but we didn’t realize it at the time because the car and trunk showed no signs of being broken into, and the backpack was in the trunk.

After a delightful lunch, we drove the scenic loop road, stopping at numerous viewpoints along the way to take photos. On our way back to the city, we found a great spot for roasted lamb. After enjoying the meal, we headed to the hotel and only then discovered that the computer and cash in the backpack were missing.

Fortunately, I had most of the cash on me [laughcryR], though the computer charger and phone fast charger were also taken. For the next two days, we had to rely on the car charger [laughcryR][laughcryR].

We reported the theft to the police, who went through the motions of recording what happened without even asking for contact information, not even pretending. When asked if such incidents happen often, he said they occur almost every day [facepalmR][facepalmR].

Day 2: We set off on the Seven Lakes Drive, leaving Bariloche at around 9:30 AM, heading to the town of la Angostura, and arriving in San Martin at 3 PM. The stunning lakes were mainly in the first half, offering breathtaking views, while the second half was less impressive, possibly due to visual fatigue.

If time is tight, driving to the first town is enough. There wasn’t much to see in San Martin; we just had a quick meal by the lake, which took an hour to get a table on the weekend. Then we spent three hours driving back to Bariloche.

Day 3: The morning was overcast, so we started with a visit to Cerro Campanario, taking the cable car to the top for a beautiful view. Following the ticket seller’s recommendation, we went to Bahia Lopez. The river was crystal clear, teeming with fish, though fishing was not allowed. There was also a hiking trail nearby, which we could have explored if we had more time.

Finally, we arrived at the renowned Cerro Catedral ski resort, which resembled a bustling mini-town, complete with a plethora of hotels, restaurants, ski schools, and banks surrounding the slopes. The beginner slopes were teeming with enthusiastic skiers, while the advanced slopes remained almost deserted, offering a serene and challenging experience for the more experienced.

After an exhilarating day, we made our way back to the city, where we indulged in the famous Rapa Nui chocolate, a delightful treat that perfectly capped off our adventure. As the rain began to drizzle, we headed to the airport to return our rental car and boarded our flight back to Buenos Aires.

Overall, I found that both Bariloche and Puerto Montt possess their own unique allure, with breathtaking and diverse landscapes that make them must-visit destinations. Each location offers a distinct experience, from the vibrant ski culture of Bariloche to the natural beauty and tranquility of Puerto Montt.