Expert: Cintia - 6/9/2004

Question
Hi...

I'm very excited for my first visit to Argentina next month! I'll be traveling the country with my friend, who is a native Argentine, for 2 weeks. She has not done much traveling, and doesn't enjoy travel planning...so here I am, looking for advice. :-)

We are debating about whether to go to Bariloche or Parque Nacionales de Glaciar. Our other destinations are BA and Puerto Madryn. Am I correct in assuming that we could not see Bariloche AND the Parque, even if we fly?

Visiting Bariloche in the winter seems to cost about twice as much as other destinations...that's a factor, especially since we don't ski, although I hear it's beautiful. On the other hand, I'd love to see a magnificent glaciar! Which would you recommend? I will most likely be returning to Argentina again, so I could do either one at a later date.

How long should we plan to stay in Puerto Madryn? How long in either Bariloche or the National Park?

One other question, if I may. Are there any lodgings in any of those places that you would recommend? We are especially interested in staying at least once in a private cabana with a beautiful view.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and answer this. Your expert ratings are very impressive! :-)

Answer
Dear Kimber, thank you for your questions.  I am glad you are planning to visit Argentina and would like to answer your questions so that you can plan your trip better.

First of all, it is important that you bear in mind that July is the high season for the lake district (Bariloche, Villa La Angostura, San Martin de los Andes). It is the winter recess so both argentinians and foreign tourists like to go to Bariloche because it is one of the main ski resorts in the country.  As for Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, please note that the right time of the year to go there is during our Spring and summer, i.e. from mid September till April. There are heavy snow storms and the roads may be blocked so it is possible you will not even be able to get to the park. Also, many hotels are closed during this season so I recommend you check very well before arranging a trip to Calafate (this is the closest city to Los Glaciares National Park).
Bariloche and Calafate are very far away from each other, so it is absolutely impossible to see both unless you fly from one place to another.

Regarding the length of stay, for Puerto Madryn I recommend 3 nights, so that you have enough time to take at least two excursions (only if you are very interested in the fauna of the region, otherwise Madryn may turn out to be boring).  For Bariloche 2 or 3 nights and for Calafate 2 nights would be ok (but please, I insist that you check about the weather conditions and hotel availability).

You have asked me about accommodation. In Puerto Madryn, the hotel options are few and not of high quality. There is a nice 3 star hotel, simple but quite new and with good service, whose name is Bahia Nueva.
In Bariloche, there are lots of cabins, such as Villa Huinid, Rosas Amarillas (these are 3 stars), or if you are willing to spend more money then I recommend Llao Llao or Arelauquen.
There is a smaller place near Bariloche called Villa La Angostura, and there is a district in this place called BAHIA MANZANO where you will find lots of cabins right in front of the lake. Right now I remember two of them which have good rates: Dos Bahias and La Escondida.

In Calafate, the best hotel is Los Notros because it is the only one inside the National Park, and whose rooms offer a glaciers view.  Otherwise, you may stay in the city, at a hotel like Kosten Aike , Los Alamos or Kau Yatun.

I hope you find this information useful and that your trip turns out to be very successful.

Best regards,

Cintia
Buenos Aires, Argentina