Argentina - The Endless Adventure

An old province motto says Río Negro is tourism from the Andes to the sea. 

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Bariloche has everything and it is much more than the Switzerland of Argentina. According to the most recent data, this cordilleran city located in southwestern Río Negro has more than 20,000 beds ready to welcome from students (local and Brazilian) to the most refined European skiers.

Although the capital of the province is Viedma, it is Bariloche the city that has the most people: more than 130,000. From 1902 onward, the people of Bariloche has shaped the main Andean town of Patagonia.

The Catedral hill is one of the most important ski centers in South American and venue for the main national and international competitions. It is precisely there that, every August, snow is paid its respect in its national fest. The average of annual visitors is 800,000.

This happens because, in winter and summer, Bariloche offers everything: gastronomy, fishing, horse riding, excursions, hunting and postcard landscapes wherever you aim with your camera. Otto hill, Nahuel Huapi national park, small circuit, Victoria island and Llao Llao are the more traditional tours in this true giant of Argentine tourism.

LAND OF GIANTS. Río Negro has expanded its offerings and, based on a well defined policy it is advancing with the development of the so-called southern margin of the Negro river, where we can find The Giants inside lake Ezequiel Ramos Mejía, a place you can only access going across the dam located over the El Chocón reservoir. The Giants are rock formations surrounded by attractive cove beaches, washed by blue and turquoise waters. It is a true Cretaceous Park.

THE SOUTHERN PEARL. There is fine, blond and white sand and an endless blue sea of warm water. Las Grutas –14 kilometers away from San Antonio Oeste– looks like a miracle for those who imagine Patagonia waters must be icy. Located on the San Matías gulf, the resort is growing in visitors and square meters. In winter, just 7,000 people call the town home.

In summer, up to 35,000. The growth in square meters, 50,000 per year, is impressive if we take into account the population. From 2004 through March 2006 there has been a 150,000 square meter expansion, and the new period is above that mark.

From Las Grutas, you can make many excursions to less populated beaches, in wilder sceneries, like Piedras Coloradas or Las Conchillas beach. 46 kilometers away from Las Grutas and 32 away from Sierra Grande, Playas Doradas has become the weakness of the citizens of Río Negro: fine golden sand and huge beaches as a preliminary to also warm water.

Sierra Grande was born around the exploitation of iron (reactivated a couple of years ago) and Playas Doradas was the scenery favored by the Danish who built the mining port. Nowadays, the village has a varied offering of lodging and excellent gastronomy.