San Carlos de Bariloche is in the Rio Negro province of Argentina and serves as a base for hiking in the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Other scenic towns near Bariloche include Villa La Angostura, El Bolson, San Martin de los Andes, and Villa Traful (Llao Llao Resort in the main image).
In March 2024 we visited the Correntoso Lake & River SLH hotel (review) in the Villa la Angostura region of Bariloche. My wife fell in love with the Argentinean steak (review) and stopped eating meat in the US since we returned. Since then, I have her permission to book a trip to Bariloche anytime and no questions will be asked.
How to book premium cabins to Argentina with miles?
It is NOT easy to find premium cabin award space to Buenos Aires (EZE) from the US. I was able to find award space on Iberia during my last trip from Madrid to Buenos Aires (review). However, it is easy to find award space to Chile on either Latam Air or Copa Air.
I recently helped a friend book a trip to Chile from Orlando (Copa Air) with ANA Mileage Club points (review) to explore Chilean/Argentine Patagonia (review).
I was motivated by his trip itinerary and used my ANA points (100k per person) to book a round trip from Orlando (MCO) to Santiago (SCL) with a connection in Panama (PTY). I made sure they are all daytime Copa flights (see image below) and I will spend a night (on each leg) at the Santiago IHG airport hotel.
How good are Copa’s business class seats?
Copa Airlines business class seats are probably more like US domestic first class seats with a possible full-recline bed on the Panama to Santiago segment.
Santiago (SCL) to Bariloche (BRC)
I was able to find award space on SCL-BRC flights on Latam Airways and booked with Alaska miles (see image below).
Bariloche Accommodations
Hilton Properties
Hampton by Hilton Bariloche is a low-cost hotel by Hilton with some lake-view rooms.
Marriott Bariloche Properties
Arelauquen Lodge is a unique Marriott property worth staying at when exploring Bariloche. It’s not worth it to book with Chase/Marriott points and I paid for the hotel using Venture X to earn 10x points.
Llao Llao Resort Golf & Spa
I am also interested in experiencing Llao Llao Resort Golf & Spa in Bariloche due to its preeminent location and reviews.
I used my Venture X card to pay for the hotel (using my $300 credit) and earned 10x points (see image below).
I am excited to use the Capital One Venture X Travel Portal for the first time to earn 10x points. For most of my trips, I rarely find matching properties between Booking.com and Capital One.
Bariloche Dining
Since this a trip to satisfy my wife’s cravings for Argentine steak, I am planning to try the following restaurants (Tripadvisor).
EL BOLICHE DE ALBERTO, San Carlos de Bariloche (link)
Alto el fuego (link)
ALMAZEN DE SABORES (link)
La Salamandra Pulpería (link)
Quiven Patagonia (link)
Chimi Deli Cocina Natural (link)
Restaurant Punto Panorámico (link)
Los Curantos de Víctor Goye (link)