Mendoza Travel Forum

I am going to be in Argentina in mid-May. We'll only have ten days and we want to spend a chunk of that in Buenos Aires. I'd like to spend the rest of the time around either Mendoza or Bariloche, but I've never been to either and they both look great. Does anyone who has been to these two places have a recommendation one way or the other? I'd really appreciate it. I'm leaning towards Mendoza - given the weather will be nicer there that time of year, and the wine tastings sound great - but the lake district looks so amazing... Thank you!

That is a tough decision, but you are correct about the weather being a bit colder down south. My profile photo is taken in front of the Llao Llao Hotel just south of Bariloche and that area is one of my favorite spots in Argentina. Not the city of Bariloche itself, but the surrounding area is fantastic. That being said, I also very much enjoy Mendoza and it will be chilly there too (as well as in Buenos Aires). My recommendation is do Mendoza and save Bariloche for a spring or summer trip.

My travel pages as well as other VT'ers offer good tips on Argentina so you might want to avail yourself our "sage advice" :))

suerte
SAM

Pitty about the conditions of the road from Bariloche to Villa La Angostura.Driving this road all the way to Villa Traful takes a lot of the pleasure out of the trip.The ski lift at Cerro Cathedral might be in operation in May as this will give you a fantastic view of Lake Nauel Hauapi.You can also take a trip to Cerro Tronador and see the glaciers on it`s flanks.

Hope this helps

I've been to both but I prefer Bariloche, it has more green, lakes are beautiful and the cross of lakes by the Andes until Puerto Montt is something to remember; we can drink Mendoza wines in Bariloche too, in general all the wine you drink in Argentina comes from Mendoza, take a look in my or other VT's pages for more information

We just got back from Argentina, spending a week in Bariloche and a week in Mendoza. I would prefer Bariloche - it's smaller and easier to grasp. It's a tourist town, but after all, that's what we are! If you go, rent a car and drive to El Bolson. The town is a hippie town, and not that great in itself, but the drive through the mountains is spectacular. That being said, it was starting to get cool when we were there the last week in March, so by mid-May, it's going to be ski jacket weather, I would think. Mendoza is a beautiful town as well, but much bigger. The town proper is about 130,000, but the greater Mendoza area is approaching a million people. It was very comfortable the first week in April, so by mid-May, it's going to be cool. As you mentioned, the wine is incredible. If you can find an Alta Vista or Wienert 2006 Malbec, you HAVE to try it. Actually, any 2006 wines are great - that was a good weather year in Mendoza. Remember that Argentinians eat dinner at 9:30 pm. Restaurants often don't open until 9:00, and often don't get really busy until midnight. That was an adjustment for us.

So, I guess I'd suggest Mendoza, but it's a tough choice. Good luck, and have fun.