Hostels in El Bolsón: where to stay, how to get there and what to do
El Bolsón is a town of about 24,000 people in the Río Azul valley, at the foot of Cerro Piltriquitrón, at roughly 300 m above sea level. For backpackers it combines a craft fair with decades of history, trekking between refugios starting right from town and, about 20 km away, Lago Puelo National Park. There are hostels with kitchens, craft breweries and buses to Bariloche and Esquel. The catch: there's no airport with commercial flights and the refugios ask you to register beforehand.
🛏️Dorm bedfrom ≈ US$ 12 a night
✈️Airportno commercial flights; the nearest is Bariloche (BRC), ≈ 137 km away
🚌Bus stationDorrego 155, a 5-minute walk from Plaza Pagano
🧺Craft fairTuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 10 am to 4-5 pm
💵Moneybring cash: the refugios take cash only
🏔️Altitude≈ 300 m: no altitude sickness in town
🗺️Bariloche120 km · ≈ 2 h by bus
Lago Puelo y las montañas que lo rodean
Sendero entre árboles en otoño en El Bolsón
El Bolsón y la cordillera nevada
How to get to El Bolsón
✈️ Teniente Luis Candelaria International Airport BRC
≈ 137 km from El Bolsón (≈ 1 h 50 by car) · 13 km from the centre of Bariloche
Getting to the centre and the hostels
Vía Bariloche runs a direct airport–El Bolsón service, stopping at the Bariloche bus station, Lago Gutiérrez, Villa Mascardi and El Foyel: check current timetables at viabariloche.com.ar
Alternative: city bus line 72 to the Bariloche bus station (SUBE card only, ≈ US$ 4.6) and then a bus to El Bolsón (≈ 2 h, 120 km); with waiting time, 3-4 h in total
Direct flights
Aerolíneas Argentinas, JetSMART and regional operators; in winter 2026 there were also direct flights from Brazil. Route details are in the Bariloche guide.
✈️ Brigadier General Antonio Parodi Airport EQS
≈ 146 km from El Bolsón (≈ 1 h 45 by car) · ≈ 21 km east of Esquel
Getting to the centre and the hostels
There's no confirmed direct service from the airport to El Bolsón: the usual way is to go to the Esquel bus station and take the Vía TAC bus (≈ 2 h 40 to 3 h 30)
Direct flights
Aerolíneas Argentinas only, to Buenos Aires (Aeroparque and Ezeiza). For backpackers, Bariloche has more flights and a direct bus: Esquel makes sense if you're coming from the south on Route 40.
🚌 El Bolsón Bus Station
📍 Dorrego 155
🛏️ 0.05 to 0.8 km from the hostels in the centre (up to a 10-minute walk); 3.5 to 5 km from those on the outskirts; ≈ 14 km from those in Lago Puelo
It opened in October 2023 and for now only Vía Bariloche operates from it (Vía TAC is part of the same group and appears on the same routes). If you're travelling with another company, check where it drops you off first. Plaza Pagano and the Feria are 0.4 km away, and La Golondrina, the bus to Lago Puelo, leaves from the plaza.
La Golondrina, every hour in the daytime from Plaza Pagano; Vía Bariloche and Mar y Valle, 1-2 a day
La Golondrina, Vía Bariloche and Mar y Valle
Neuquén
553
≈ 7 h 45
1 a day
Vía TAC
Buenos Aires
≈ 1,700
25 h 40 to 28 h 30, changing in Bariloche
1 long-distance departure a day
Vía Bariloche and others
There's no confirmed direct bus to San Martín de los Andes, Villa La Angostura or Comodoro Rivadavia: you connect in Bariloche or Esquel.
Map of El Bolsón: bus station, hostels and sights
The hostels in this guide, the bus station, the airport and the things to see, all on one map. Tap a point to see its name.
Loading the map…
HostelsBus stationSights
Off the map (straight-line distance): Aeropuerto Internacional Teniente Luis Candelaria (BRC), Bariloche (≈ 99 km); Aeropuerto Brigadier General Antonio Parodi (EQS), Esquel (≈ 107 km); Terminal de Ómnibus de Bariloche (≈ 99 km); Terminal de Ómnibus de Esquel (≈ 104 km).
Distances from the centre
Place
Distance
Time
How
Feria Regional (Plaza Pagano)
0.4 km
5 min on foot
on foot
Cabeza del Indio (viewpoint)
≈ 4.5 km
7 min by car
on foot, by bike or on horseback
Cerro Piltriquitrón and Bosque Tallado
11-15 km
22-30 min by car
remís (private car) to the platform or on foot along the trail (3-4 h from town)
Chacra Wharton (gateway to the Cajón del Azul)
14 km
15 min by car
La Golondrina bus or remís
Lago Puelo National Park (La Playita)
≈ 22 km
24 min by car
La Golondrina bus
Cerro Perito Moreno (ski centre)
≈ 25 km
32 min by car
remís or tour
Refugio Cajón del Azul
9-10 km from Wharton
3-4 h walk
on foot from Chacra Wharton
Getting around El Bolsón
There are no city buses: the town is compact and the bus station, Plaza Pagano and the Feria are 0.4-0.5 km from each other, all on foot.
The buses that matter are medium-distance ones. La Golondrina goes to Lago Puelo every hour in the daytime from Plaza Pagano (according to a local guide: check the current timetable) and to Chacra Wharton, and you can pay with a SUBE card or in cash.
There are also remís to Chacra Wharton (≈ 20 min). For Piltriquitrón there's private transport up to the platform, which it's best to book.
The hostels on the outskirts (El Mirador, La Casona de Odile and those in Lago Puelo) mean taking a remís, bike, bus or car. El Mirador rents bikes.
Thefts from parked cars were reported on excursions (Cascada Escondida, November 2024): the authorities ask you not to leave valuables in the car.
The 3 best areas to stay in El Bolsón
1Centre: Plaza Pagano, Rivadavia and Saavedra Everything on foot
🚌 0.05 to 0.8 km from the bus station
The area for anyone arriving by bus without a car: Travesía Sur is right next to the bus station, and Otto Tipp and Jardín de Rosas are less than 1 km away. Plaza Pagano, the fair, the craft breweries and the bus departures are a few blocks away. The downside: the trails are far from the door, so for Piltriquitrón or Wharton you need to take a bus or a remís.
2Mountain and Río Azul: Villa Turismo and the rural north Nature, with transport
🚌 ≈ 3.5 to 5 km from the bus station
For anyone after forest and quiet who doesn't mind heading down into town. El Mirador is on the slope of Piltriquitrón, on a 3-hectare property, ≈ 3.5 km from the bus station; La Casona de Odile is to the north, next to the Río Azul, ≈ 5 km away. The downside: without a car you depend on remís, bikes or the bus, and some access streets are in poor condition or unpaved.
3Lago Puelo (Chubut) Lake and river, in another province
🚌 ≈ 14 km from the bus station
Huala Hostería and El Hostel Secreto aren't in El Bolsón: they're in Lago Puelo, in Chubut province, ≈ 14 km from the bus station (18-20 min by car) and ≈ 2 km from the village and the lake. A good option for staying several days near the national park. The downside: without a car you depend on the bus, which runs every hour, and the fair and the life of El Bolsón town are far away.
The 7 recommended hostels in El Bolsón
Eight places with good scores and lots of reviews: four in the centre, two in the mountains and along the Río Azul, and two in Lago Puelo (Chubut). Huala is an inn with private rooms, no dorms. Distances to the bus station are measured in a straight line: on foot it's a bit more.
Hostel El Mirador
9.4 · 145 reviews
Subida 3 Cipreses 2448, Villa Turismo · on the slope of Piltriquitrón
🚌 ≈ 3.5 km from the bus station (≈ 5 km by road, 7 min by car)Mixed dormsPrivate roomsKitchenBarBike rental
Shared dorm
Dining room
Exterior
A mountain hostel on a wooded property on the hillside, with its own viewpoint and a waterfall on the grounds. It has 4- and 6-bed dorms and a double with private bathroom. Guests highlight the cleanliness, the staff and the fully equipped kitchen. It's far from the centre and the access road is in poor condition.
Staff and cleanliness (9.6)
Own viewpoint in the forest
Far from the centre, you need transport
Access along poorly maintained streets
How much a night costs, month by month
Bed in a shared dorm · 1 person
282828373737282828282828
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
Private room · 2 people
686868121121121696969696969
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
A bed costs from US$ 28 to US$ 37 a night, depending on the month. The private room, from US$ 68 to US$ 121.
Public price per night, before taxes and fees (these are shown at checkout and depend on your country of residence and payment method), for the free-cancellation rate when there is one; quotes are for 2 consecutive nights. Rates change with the date. Updated 06/10/2026.
We went as a couple and loved the place. My other half was able to do a little barbecue and eat it comfortably in the dining room, the people who run it are a 10 and super attentive to everything. We stayed in the private room and were very comfortable, we'll definitely be back. If you're going without a car, it's a bit far from town.
Luz · Argentina · May 2026
10Disconnecting
The girls' kindness and hospitality are worth 100 points. The place is beautiful. Disconnecting in the mountains is wonderful. The breakfast with homemade bread was very good too. Always hot water in the shower and the heating is very good. The kitchen is very well equipped.
Maria · Uruguay · Feb 2026
10Very comfortable and clean
Excellent place, very comfortable and clean. The staff are really friendly, and the views and the peace and quiet are out of this world.
Victoria · Argentina · Jan 2026
10The best hostel, out of the way
The hostel is a 10, the facilities are spotless, the natural surroundings are beautiful, the private viewpoint is gorgeous, the team is excellent, everyone is very warm. Mario knows the whole region and recommends the best places to go. We'll definitely be back.
Fernando · Argentina · Dec 2025
Real reviews from verified guests, translated from the original language. A selection of 4 out of 145.
Travesia Sur Hostel
8.9 · 163 reviews
Rivadavia 2896 · right next to the bus station, a few blocks from Plaza Pagano
🚌 ≈ 0.05 km from the bus station (next door)Mixed dormsPrivate roomsKitchenBar24-hour reception
Shared dorm
Dining room
Exterior
Hostel right next to the bus station, with 4- and 6-bed dorms, a budget triple and a studio with a sofa bed. It has a garden, a shared kitchen, ping-pong and 24-hour reception. Guests say the volunteers create a very social atmosphere, with shared dinners.
Right next to the bus station (location 9.7)
Social atmosphere, shared dinners
Mattresses not very comfortable for some
Facilities are the weakest point (8.8)
How much a night costs, month by month
Bed in a shared dorm · 1 person
191919202020191919191919
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
Private room · 2 people
314731565252313131313131
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
A bed costs from US$ 19 to US$ 20 a night, depending on the month. The private room, from US$ 31 to US$ 56.
Public price per night, before taxes and fees (these are shown at checkout and depend on your country of residence and payment method), for the free-cancellation rate when there is one; quotes are for 2 consecutive nights. Rates change with the date. Updated 06/10/2026.
It's a comfortable, really nice place. Always clean and tidy and it has everything you need. The best thing about the place is how the hostel girls treat you: they make you feel part of things all the time and are on hand for any question.
Ian · Argentina · Jul 2026
10For me, the best hostel
For me the best hostel I've stayed in on my trip through Patagonia and during my whole time in Argentina. Thank you so much to the team of volunteers for making me part of your family, for sharing food and moments.
Joan · Spain · Jun 2026
10Perfectly located
It's perfectly located, very strategic. It's close to Plaza Pagano and next to the bus station. The place is always clean, and the guys at reception are super friendly and attentive. It's the second time I've travelled here and chosen them.
Aylin · Argentina · May 2026
8Excellent location
Excellent location, right next to the bus station. A very good atmosphere for socialising. The rooms are fine. Good value for money. Mattresses not very comfortable.
Carolina · Uruguay · Mar 2026
Real reviews from verified guests, translated from the original language. A selection of 4 out of 163.
La Casona De Odile
9.6 · 54 reviews
Quemquemtreu 9000 · rural north, next to the Río Azul
🚌 ≈ 5 km from the bus station (5.5 km by road, 7 min by car)Mixed dormsPrivate roomsBreakfast includedKitchenRestaurant
Shared dorm
Dining room
Exterior
A big old house with a garden, hammocks and river access, in the rural area north of town. It has 4- and 6-bed mixed dorms and doubles with private bathroom. The breakfast is homemade and the owners give tips for the refugios. It's the best-scoring one on the list, but it's far from the centre.
Warm staff (9.8) and cleanliness (9.7)
Garden, river and breakfast with homemade bread
Far from the centre, unpaved streets
Weak Wi-Fi according to guests (7.5)
How much a night costs, month by month
Bed in a shared dorm · 1 person
12141725········
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
Private room · 2 people
384650·········
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
A bed costs from US$ 12 to US$ 25 a night, depending on the month. The private room, from US$ 38 to US$ 50. Months marked «·» have no rate loaded yet: the place opens its calendar in stages, it doesn't mean it's closed.
Public price per night, before taxes and fees (these are shown at checkout and depend on your country of residence and payment method), for the free-cancellation rate when there is one; quotes are for 2 consecutive nights. Rates change with the date. Updated 06/10/2026.
Excellent place, the greenery and the connection you feel there. The people who welcome you have really good vibes and are always there to help with whatever you need. Maybe just the distance from the centre, and also several of the streets around it weren't paved.
Milton · Argentina · Mar 2026
10A house with lots of charm
A house with lots of charm and history, warm, with super attentive and helpful staff. I stayed in a shared room and it was great, and they also have private rooms. It's true that it's a bit far from the centre, but there's homemade bread at breakfast. Highly recommended!
Lucas · Argentina · Feb 2026
10Highly recommended place
Everything was excellent, starting with Marcel and the other people who work there, always exemplary treatment with really good vibes. The place is beautiful, super relaxing, the food is delicious.
Rodolfo · Argentina · Jan 2026
10Magical place, wonderful people
The place is enchanting, it's like an enchanted forest. The staff couldn't be kinder or friendlier. They gave us several recommendations for places to visit and eat. And the food they prepare is fantastic.
Cristina · Spain · Mar 2024
Real reviews from verified guests, translated from the original language. A selection of 4 out of 54.
Hostel Otto Tipp
9.1 · 42 reviews
Islas Malvinas and Roca · annex of the craft brewery, 400 m from Plaza Pagano
🚌 ≈ 0.8 km from the bus station (≈ 10 min on foot)Mixed dormsPrivate roomsBarKitchenPing-pong
Shared dorm
Dining room
Exterior
Hostel next to a craft brewery, a few blocks from Plaza Pagano and the fair. It has 6-bed mixed dorms and a double with private bathroom, a shared kitchen, a garden and ping-pong. Guests highlight the location (9.6), the Wi-Fi and the volunteers' service. Reception has split hours, so it's best to let them know your arrival time.
Location 9.6, close to the fair
A charger at every bed
Small shared dorm
Light and heat come in through the windows
How much a night costs, month by month
Bed in a shared dorm · 1 person
66666682826666·····
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
Private room · 2 people
····42·······
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
A bed costs from US$ 66 to US$ 82 a night, depending on the month. The private room costs around US$ 42. Months marked «·» have no rate loaded yet: the place opens its calendar in stages, it doesn't mean it's closed.
Public price per night, before taxes and fees (these are shown at checkout and depend on your country of residence and payment method), for the free-cancellation rate when there is one; quotes are for 2 consecutive nights. Rates change with the date. Updated 06/10/2026.
The view is lovely, it's close to everything, the facilities are very comfortable and they're very kind.
Celina · Argentina · Jul 2026
9Excellent
The atmosphere and the service. The comfort of the mattresses is also worth highlighting, even though the shared room is small.
Facundo · Argentina · Jan 2026
10They looked after my backpack
Very comfortable, the girls let me leave my backpack until I got back from the refugios, the whole team is wonderful, they let me shower and kill time. Recommended!
Cintia · Argentina · Jan 2026
10Like home
The facilities, the services. Above all the kindness of the owner and the volunteers.
Silvia · Argentina · Jan 2025
Real reviews from verified guests, translated from the original language. A selection of 4 out of 42.
Huala Hosteria
9.2 · 49 reviews
Ruta 16, km 13.3 · Lago Puelo (Chubut), ≈ 2 km from the lake
🚌 ≈ 14 km from the bus station (18-20 min by car)Private roomsBreakfastKitchenAdults only (18+)24-hour reception
Private room
Dining room
Garden
Adults-only inn in Lago Puelo (Chubut), about 14 km from El Bolsón. Heads up: it has no dorms, only double rooms with private bathroom and mountain views. The garden has lavender, apple and walnut trees, and there's a shared kitchen and a barbecue. A good fit if your plan is the lake and the national park.
Staff very highly rated (9.7)
Garden with lavender and fruit trees
No dorms: double rooms only
Weak Wi-Fi according to guests (7.5)
How much a night costs, month by month
Private room · 2 people
5050··········
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
The private room costs around US$ 50. Months marked «·» have no rate loaded yet: the place opens its calendar in stages, it doesn't mean it's closed.
Public price per night, before taxes and fees (these are shown at checkout and depend on your country of residence and payment method), for the free-cancellation rate when there is one; quotes are for 2 consecutive nights. Rates change with the date. Updated 06/10/2026.
The owner's service was very dedicated and attentive, at breakfast she took into account that it had to be gluten-free. The bed was very comfortable. When we forgot something, she called us to come and pick it up as soon as she found it.
Martín · Argentina · Feb 2025
9Highly recommended
Highly recommended. The place is beautiful and very quiet. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The garden, full of lavender, is wonderful. The breakfast is very tasty. You also have a space with everything you need to cook.
Virginia · Uruguay · Jan 2025
10Excellent place
Incredible place, the room spotless, the bed super comfortable. Delicious breakfast, especially the walnut bread. The owners' service is a ten too.
Ximena · Argentina · Jan 2025
10Super comfortable room
The whole place is really good, the room super comfortable, and outside there are lavender plants, apple trees and walnut trees.
Osvaldo · Argentina · Mar 2025
Real reviews from verified guests, translated from the original language. A selection of 4 out of 49.
El hostel secreto
8.9 · 50 reviews
Villa del Lago, Lago Puelo (Chubut) · ≈ 2 km from the village and the lake
🚌 ≈ 14 km from the bus station (18-20 min by car)Male dormFemale dormPrivate roomsKitchen
Shared dorm
Common room
Exterior
Quiet hostel in Lago Puelo (Chubut), near the river and about 14 km from El Bolsón. It has a male dorm and a female dorm, a quad room and a double, with a shared kitchen. According to guests, the village and the lake are about 30 minutes' walk in either direction. A good fit for staying several days at the lake.
Quiet, close to the river and the lake
Good value for money (9.3)
Without a car, the bus runs only once an hour
Wooden walls: you can hear noise
How much a night costs, month by month
Bed in a shared dorm · 1 person
20·202424·······
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
Private room · 2 people
32·325858·······
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
A bed costs from US$ 20 to US$ 24 a night, depending on the month. The private room, from US$ 32 to US$ 58. Months marked «·» have no rate loaded yet: the place opens its calendar in stages, it doesn't mean it's closed.
Public price per night, before taxes and fees (these are shown at checkout and depend on your country of residence and payment method), for the free-cancellation rate when there is one; quotes are for 2 consecutive nights. Rates change with the date. Updated 06/10/2026.
Lovely place, close to the river and the lake. Super quiet.
Mallaviabarrena · Argentina · Jan 2026
1030 minutes from the lake
The location, 30 minutes' walk from the village one way and 30 minutes' walk from the lake the other.
Cusato · Argentina · Jan 2026
10Everything spotless
Everything spotless and super comfortable, having the river so close is a plus. The service is excellent. A very quiet place.
Gaston · Argentina · Jan 2026
10Dream place
The scenery around the hostel is beautiful, it has its own path down to the river. The whole atmosphere is calm and relaxing. The room was very comfortable and clean. The breakfast is all homemade, the red-berry jams are delicious.
Balderrin · Argentina · Feb 2025
Real reviews from verified guests, translated from the original language. A selection of 4 out of 50.
Jardín de Rosas Hostel
8.1 · 63 reviews
Av. Sarmiento 3439 · on a main street, north of the centre
🚌 ≈ 0.7 km from the bus station (≈ 9 min on foot)Mixed dormsPrivate roomsKitchenBarbecue grillBike storage
Shared dorm
Dining room
Entrance
Hostel with an 8-bed mixed dorm, a quad, a triple and a double with private bathroom, on Av. Sarmiento. It has a garden, a barbecue grill, an indoor fire pit and a kitchen-dining room that guests call fully equipped, plus a place to store bikes and motorbikes. The best-rated points are the staff (9.1) and the Wi-Fi (9.4); comfort and facilities score lower (8.1).
Friendly staff (9.1) and Wi-Fi (9.4)
Motorbike and bike storage; full kitchen
No lockers in the rooms
Lower comfort and facilities (8.1)
How much a night costs, month by month
Bed in a shared dorm · 1 person
1414142020·······
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
Private room · 2 people
32323254544040·····
OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
A bed costs from US$ 14 to US$ 20 a night, depending on the month. The private room, from US$ 32 to US$ 54. Months marked «·» have no rate loaded yet: the place opens its calendar in stages, it doesn't mean it's closed.
Public price per night, before taxes and fees (these are shown at checkout and depend on your country of residence and payment method), for the free-cancellation rate when there is one; quotes are for 2 consecutive nights. Rates change with the date. Updated 06/10/2026.
The great vibe of the girls who work there. Always ready to help with whatever you need and to have a nice chat.
Aguirre · Argentina · Feb 2026
9Friendliness and good service
I liked the friendliness and the very good treatment from the staff. The location of the hostel and the room, spacious, with a balcony. Super nice.
Monica · Argentina · Jan 2026
10Very helpful and so warm
Lovely place and the people are very kind and warm. They help with any question and even give you tips or invite you to activities.
Gonzalo · Argentina · Jan 2025
10Very good
The hostel is very well located, on a main street. I found it very tidy and clean. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, as are the common areas like the kitchen-dining room, which is quite well equipped. They could add lockers in the rooms.
Camila · Argentina · Dec 2024
Real reviews from verified guests, translated from the original language. A selection of 4 out of 63.
Backpacker tips for El Bolsón
1Register before heading to the refugios
For the Río Azul–Lago Escondido area you have to register for free at anprale.com before entering. Registration doesn't reserve a bed, and there are daily quotas: with no quota available, they won't let you in.
2Bring cash
There's no connectivity at the refugios and you pay in cash. Withdraw money before leaving town.
3Check which refugios are open
The status of each refugio changes with the season: confirm which ones are open at anprale.com or by WhatsApp to Comarca Una (+54 9 294 411 2514) before planning your route.
4Reserve Piltriquitrón
Refugio Piltriquitrón requires you to reserve in advance with the mountain information office (+54 294 4455336). At the others, some accept reservations by WhatsApp or Instagram and others are first come, first served.
5Bring a sleeping bag
The refugios ask you to bring your own sleeping bag, and if you camp, a tent and cooking gear. Fires are banned throughout the area.
6Make the most of the hostel kitchen
All the hostels in this guide have a shared kitchen: with the town supermarket and the fair (food, sweets and craft beer) you can eat well without overspending.
7Think about mountain weather
In town you're at ≈ 300 m, but Piltriquitrón reaches 2,260 m and the weather changes fast. Bring warm clothes and a waterproof: winter is cold and rainy.
8Don't leave anything in the car
If you do excursions by car, don't leave money or valuables inside: thefts from parked cars were reported at Cascada Escondida.
Things to do in El Bolsón (and how to get there on your own)
Feria Regional at Plaza Pagano
Crafts, food, sweets and craft beer in the town plaza. It runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; get there early because the closing time varies depending on the source.
Distance
0.4 km
How to get there
On foot from the bus station
Entry
Free entry
Cerro Piltriquitrón and Bosque Tallado
Platform at 1,100 m with the Bosque Tallado (Carved Forest); the refugio is 40 min to 1 h further up and the summit takes another 3 h. You go up by remís or on foot along the trail.
Distance
11-15 km
How to get there
Remís to the platform or on foot (3-4 h)
Cajón del Azul and the Río Azul refugios
A circuit of refugios from Chacra Wharton: to the Cajón del Azul it's 9-10 km and a 3-4 h walk, of medium difficulty, with entry until 4 pm. Register at anprale.com, bring cash and check which refugios are open this season.
Distance
14 km to Wharton + 9-10 km of trail
How to get there
La Golondrina bus or remís to Wharton, then on foot
Cabeza del Indio
A viewpoint and rock formation a few kilometres from town. You can get there on foot, by bike or on horseback.
Distance
≈ 4.5 km
How to get there
On foot, by bike or on horseback
Lago Puelo National Park
A 27,000-hectare national park around the lake, with the beach of La Playita on the shore. You get there by bus from Plaza Pagano.
Distance
≈ 22 km
How to get there
La Golondrina bus (≈ 24 min by car)
Cerro Perito Moreno
A ski centre in winter and trekking in summer, about 25 km from town. You get there by remís or on a tour.
Distance
≈ 25 km
How to get there
Remís or tour
Fiesta Nacional del Lúpulo (National Hop Festival)
It's held in town in February (in 2026 it ran from 19 to 22 February). If you're travelling on those dates, book your hostel well in advance.
Distance
In town
How to get there
On foot
Entry
Free entry
Tours you can book online
Almost everything good in El Bolsón can be done on your own: the fair on foot, the trails by bus or remís. For guided outings, you'll find tours to reserve below.
Weather and seasons in El Bolsón
High season runs from December to February and on long weekends: the fair has more stalls, the Hop Festival takes place in February and it's best to book hostels in advance. October-November and March-April are shoulder months: in March there are still highs of 22 °C and April brings more rain. From May to September there's rain and frost, June is the wettest month and in winter the Cerro Perito Moreno ski centre is open.
max. / min. °CHigh seasonShoulder seasonLow season💧 rain (mm)
Average temperatures and rainfall according to climatestotravel.com.
Plan the rest of your trip
El Bolsón has no airport with commercial flights: the most practical option is to fly to Bariloche (BRC, ≈ 137 km away) and continue on a direct Vía Bariloche or Vía TAC bus from the Bariloche bus station (120 km, ≈ 2 h). From Esquel there's a Vía TAC bus (164 km, ≈ 2 h 40 to 3 h 30), and from Buenos Aires it's ≈ 1,700 km and 25 to 28 h by bus, changing in Bariloche. By car, it's ≈ 1 h 35 from Bariloche and ≈ 7 h 15 from Neuquén. Once in town, almost everything is done on foot or by bus.
✈️ Flight trackingThe driver tracks your flight and waits if it's delayed.
💵 One clear priceTaxes, tolls and tip included, no cash needed.
🤝 Met on arrivalFree cancellation up to 24 h before.
🚐 BRC airport → El Bolsón (by car)≈ 1 h 50🚐 El Bolsón → Chacra Wharton (gateway to the Cajón del Azul)≈ 15 min🚐 El Bolsón → Lago Puelo (village)≈ 17 to 20 min
For the fair, Piltriquitrón and Lago Puelo, 2 or 3 days are enough. If you want to do the Cajón del Azul with a night in a refugio, add 2 more days and a buffer for the weather. Before planning your route, check which refugios are open this season.
When is the Feria Regional on?
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, roughly 10 am to 4 or 5 pm, at Plaza Pagano. Sources don't agree on the closing time or the number of stalls: get there early and, if in doubt, ask at the tourist office (Gral. Roca and Guasco).
Do I need to reserve the refugios?
It depends on the refugio: Piltriquitrón requires you to reserve in advance with the mountain information office, and others accept reservations by WhatsApp or Instagram, or work on a first-come basis. In every case you have to register for free at anprale.com before entering the area and bring cash.
How do I get from Bariloche airport to El Bolsón?
Vía Bariloche runs a direct airport–El Bolsón service: check current timetables at viabariloche.com.ar. If the times don't match, take line 72 (SUBE card only) to the Bariloche bus station and then the bus to El Bolsón (≈ 2 h, 120 km). In total, allow 3-4 h.
Can you get to Lago Puelo without a car?
Yes: La Golondrina leaves every hour in the daytime from Plaza Pagano for Lago Puelo (16-22 km away), according to a local guide, so check the current timetable. If you're staying in Lago Puelo, watch out for the return: guests say the bus runs every hour.
And if I want to continue to Esquel?
There's a Vía TAC bus from El Bolsón: ≈ 164 km, 2 h 40 to 3 h 30 and about 3 or 4 departures a day. From Esquel you can visit La Trochita and Los Alerces National Park. Check timetables at viabariloche.com.ar.
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