We are pleased to present a new Solo Travel Destination Post from Sarah, a member of the Solo Travel Society on Facebook. Sarah is from Canada, and submitted the following report about Bariloche. Do you have a solo travel destination that you would like to recommend? Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!
Solo travel rating: 1.5 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Languages spoken: Spanish
The view from atop Cerro Campaniaro, Nahuel Huapi National Park.
Reasons to go: It's a ski town in the winter, but I visited Bariloche in the early autumn and fell in love with the place.
San Carlos de Bariloche, which is usually just shortened to Bariloche, is a small, compact town in Patagonia completely surrounded by mountains, lakes, and national parks. It was a German/Austrian settlement in the late 1800s and a lot of the architecture still resembles that period, so you'll find chalets and lodges everywhere. Best of all, Bariloche is famous for chocolate; there are chocolate factories and chocolate shops every few steps!
As a solo traveler, I'd recommend staying at a hostel to meet other backpackers more easily. Hostel 41 Below was one of the best hostels I've ever stayed in, and I highly recommend it. It's quite easy to get around the small town on foot, though if you want to visit the national park you'll need to either grab the bus or hitch a ride from someone. There are plenty of excursions that can be arranged in town, like a day of kayaking on a lake, complete with picnic lunch, or hiking, mountain biking, rafting, or horseback riding. If you visit in the winter, the hostel can arrange ski tickets and equipment rentals for you.
I highly recommend Bariloche for solo travelers, since it's the kind of place that's both beautiful and has plenty to do, and it's easy to meet other travelers. Go for a day, stay for a month. It's that kind of spot.
Bariloche is heaven for chocoholics.
Kayaking in Nahuel Huapi National Park.
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language – 2 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 1 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 2 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 1.5 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult)