Río Negro between Coast, Steppe, and Andes

In Río Negro, the coastal route and marine wildlife sit alongside the vast landscapes of the steppe and activities in protected areas. If you’re looking for hotels in Río Negro, you can start by choosing according to the experiences you want to shape your trip: the coast and wildlife watching, hikes and excursions, or culture in the province.

Landscapes between protected areas and the steppe

In the west of the province lies Nahuel Huapi National Park, covering more than 710,000 hectares. Farther south, in the center of Río Negro, the Meseta de Somuncurá stretches across the landscape. The vast massif also extends into parts of Chubut. The ANP Meseta de Somuncurá protected area covers about 1,600,000 hectares and is part of the Monte de Llanuras y Mesetas and Patagonian Steppe ecoregions. Both areas offer a different perspective on the province’s landscape: the national park is a destination for outdoor activities, while the meseta also offers multi-day crossings.

Coastal route and marine wildlife

The Camino de la Costa runs for 210 kilometers along the coast of Río Negro on Provincial Route 1. On the northern side of the gulf, the route follows coastal cliffs. Excursions to observe marine wildlife in the Golfo San Matías are concentrated mainly around Las Grutas and Puerto San Antonio Este on Bahía de San Antonio. Boat trips run year-round and can last more than two hours; whale-watching season runs from mid-August to October. Check the latest excursion details and conditions before your trip.

In Las Grutas, the underwater park offers snorkeling and scuba diving for different skill levels. There are also special excursions to a sunken ship. Along the coast, you can choose between marine wildlife-watching tours and underwater experiences.

Hiking and active excursions

Excursions lasting several hours and multi-day crossings are offered on the Meseta de Somuncurá. Other options include hikes, horseback rides, photo safaris, and birdwatching; visitors can also experience local culture. Nahuel Huapi National Park has a wide variety of routes and trails for hiking in nature. Other activities there include boat trips on lakes, rafting, kayaking, cycling excursions, horseback riding, climbing, and mountain trekking.

The trail to Refugio Frey begins next to the Cerro Catedral parking lot, takes four hours, and is rated easy. In summer, Cerro Catedral also offers climbing, trekking, mountain biking, and rappelling. These examples pair specific routes and activities with different time and difficulty details that may be useful when planning your trip.

More destinations near Bariloche and El Bolsón

Near Bariloche’s city center is the Complejo Teleférico Cerro Otto. The complex includes a cable car, a revolving restaurant, an extensive toboggan run, and a funicular. A few kilometers from El Bolsón, Cerro Perito Moreno is a winter sports center with slopes for beginners and advanced skiers in alpine and Nordic skiing, as well as snowboarding. It also has toboggan runs and trails for snowshoeing.

In Mallín Ahogado, a few kilometers from El Bolsón, is the Museo de Piedras Patagónicas. Its extensive and varied collection includes stones and minerals, among them 19 meteorites. The destinations can therefore be chosen according to your interests: from winter activities at Cerro Perito Moreno to a collection focused on rocks and meteorites.

Culture and travel through the province

Museums in Río Negro introduce visitors to the province’s history and culture, as well as its past and present. Breweries also offer visitor experiences, including factory tours, tastings, live music, and various social and cultural events. Offerings vary from one brewery to another, so check with the brewery in question before planning a visit.

Traveling on the Tren Patagónico lets you experience the changing landscape from the Atlantic coast, across the steppe, to the Andes. You can take the train from Viedma and from San Antonio Oeste to San Carlos de Bariloche. Since operating conditions can vary, it’s a good idea to check the timetable before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Bariloche Department, Pilcaniyeu Department, Cipolletti, El Bolsón, Adolfo Alsina Department, General Roca Department, Paso Flores, San Antonio Department, Pichi Mahuida Department, Avellaneda Department.

For the broader travel overview: Argentina.