Key Takeaways
- The #1 reported scam is the The Rental Car Break-In
- 1 of 4 scams are rated high risk
- Use app-based ride services (Uber, DiDi) instead of street taxis — avoid unmarked vehicles, especially at night
- Never accept unsolicited offers from strangers near tourist sites in Bariloche
⚡ Quick Safety Tips
- Keep phones and valuables in secure pockets when in crowded areas
- Use only licensed taxis or app-based ride services
- Book tours and tickets through verified operators with online reviews
- Keep a copy of your passport separate from the original
Jump to a Scam
The 4 Scams
Bariloche is Patagonia's gateway — tourists rent cars to drive the Route of the Seven Lakes.
At scenic overlooks and trailheads, thieves break into rental cars targeting tourists who leave bags visible. The UK government specifically warns about vehicle break-ins in Bariloche.
Red Flags
- Any belongings visible through car windows
- Isolated parking at trailheads
- Nearby individuals loitering without obvious purpose
- You parked in a remote trailhead parking area with no other vehicles or security
How to Avoid
- Lock everything in the trunk BEFORE arriving at the destination
- Take all valuables with you on hikes
- Use parking lots with attendants when available
- Leave absolutely nothing visible inside the car, not even a water bottle or charging cable
Bariloche calls itself the chocolate capital of Argentina, and the main street Avenida Mitre is ...
Bariloche calls itself the chocolate capital of Argentina, and the main street Avenida Mitre is lined with dozens of shops offering free samples. You walk into one of the more prominent stores near the Civic Centre, tempted by the display. After tasting several varieties, you ask the price for a box of twelve bonbons. The clerk says 12,000 Argentine pesos. At the smaller shop three doors down, the same quantity and comparable quality costs 4,000 pesos. The prime-location shops mark up two to three times over shops further along Mitre or on side streets. Argentina travel forums note that while the chocolate quality is similar across Bariloche's shops, prices vary dramatically depending on how close the shop is to the tourist bus stops and the Civic Centre.
Red Flags
- Free sampling creating purchase obligation
- Prices not listed or hard to compare
- Located directly where tour buses stop
- Prices are not displayed on the chocolates and are quoted only when you ask
How to Avoid
- Enjoy the free samples guilt-free
- Buy at less touristy shops on side streets for 30-50% less
- The supermarket La Anonima sells the same brands significantly cheaper
- Compare prices across multiple chocolate shops on Mitre Street before buying, as quality is similar but prices vary significantly
You land at Bariloche's small airport and a driver approaches offering a ride to your hotel in Llao ...
You land at Bariloche's small airport and a driver approaches offering a ride to your hotel in Llao Llao or the city centre. He quotes 25,000 Argentine pesos. The official airport transfer services and remise companies charge around 8,000 to 12,000 pesos for the same route. Because the airport is 15 kilometres from town with limited public transport, tourists who have not pre-arranged transport feel they have no choice. Argentina travel forums document this markup pattern at smaller Patagonian airports where rideshare apps have limited coverage.
Red Flags
- A driver approaches you inside the terminal rather than waiting at the official transfer desk
- The quoted price is double or triple the rates posted at the official remise counter
- The driver does not have a visible company ID or vehicle matching a known transfer service
- They pressure you to leave quickly rather than giving you time to compare prices at the official desk
- The vehicle is a personal car without any company branding
How to Avoid
- Book an airport transfer in advance through your hotel or a reputable remise company like Transfer Bariloche
- Check the official transfer desk inside the terminal for posted rates before accepting any ride
- Download the Cabify app before arriving, as it operates in Bariloche and provides transparent pricing
- Ask at the airport information desk for the current standard fare to your hotel area
- If you must take an unmarked car, negotiate the price firmly before getting in and pay in Argentine pesos rather than dollars
You arrive at Cerro Catedral, Bariloche's famous ski resort, and discover that a simple hot dog and ...
You arrive at Cerro Catedral, Bariloche's famous ski resort, and discover that a simple hot dog and soda combo costs the same as — or more than — eating at a restaurant in Aspen, Colorado. A Reddit post on r/Patagonia went viral showing that base prices at Cerro Catedral rival the most expensive ski resorts in the world, despite Bariloche being marketed as an affordable South American alternative. Captive pricing means you have no alternatives once you are on the mountain, and rental shops at the base inflate equipment prices by 50-100 percent compared to shops in downtown Bariloche. Combined with Argentina's volatile peso exchange rates, tourists often end up paying far more than expected. Redditors on r/travel describe a 'constant feeling of being scammed' regarding pricing in Bariloche, with the mountain resort being the worst offender. While not technically a scam — the prices are posted — the strategy relies on tourists being trapped without alternatives once they have committed to a day on the slopes.
Red Flags
- Food and drink prices at the ski resort are three to five times higher than identical items in downtown Bariloche restaurants
- Rental equipment prices at the base lodge are significantly higher than rental shops on Avenida San Martin in town
- Exchange rates offered at the resort are worse than official rates or what you get in town
- Packages marketed online do not clearly break down food, equipment, and lift ticket costs separately
- No outside food or drink is permitted in the base lodge, forcing you into captive pricing
How to Avoid
- Rent all ski and snowboard equipment from shops on Avenida San Martin in downtown Bariloche before heading to the mountain
- Pack your own lunch and snacks — eating at the resort can cost 20,000-40,000 ARS for a basic meal that costs 5,000 ARS in town
- Buy lift tickets online in advance when possible, as on-site prices are often higher
- Use the official Cerro Catedral app to compare current prices before committing to a day trip
- Bring cash in Argentine pesos from a favorable exchange rather than relying on resort card machines that apply poor conversion rates
🆘 What to Do If You Get Scammed
📋 File a Police Report
Go to the nearest Policía Federal Argentina station. Call 911 (Police) or 107 (Medical Emergency). Get an official crime report — you'll need this for insurance claims. You can also report online at fiscales.gob.ar.
💳 Cancel Your Cards
Call your bank immediately. Most have 24/7 numbers on the back of the card (keep a photo saved separately). Block any suspicious transactions before the thieves use your details.
🛂 Lost Passport?
Contact your nearest embassy or consulate. The US Embassy in Buenos Aires is at Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires. For emergencies: +54 11-5777-4533.
📱 Track Your Device
If your phone was stolen, use Find My (iPhone) or Find My Device (Android) from another device. Don't confront thieves yourself — share the location with police instead.
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