Welcome to El Bolsón, a mellow, laid-back town and the center of Argentina's hops production industry. In the 1970s, counterculture enthusiasts from Buenos Aires migrated to the tiny community en masse, transforming the farming town into an oasis for artists, craftspeople and musicians from all over Argentina. El Bolsón is a must-visit for anyone traveling through Patagonia.
Located at the western foot of Cerro Piltriquitron (Mapudungun for "hanging from the sky"), the area surrounding El Bolsón is quite temperate. The favorable climate creates extremely fertile soil, accountable for the vast majority of Argentina's hops (a crucial component of beer). It's surroundings and climate also make El Bolsón a popular adventure destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Activities ranges from trekking and horseback riding to paragliding, rock-climbing and rafting. Many adventure junkies forego the exclusive and luxury ambience of Bariloche and opt for the laid-back vibes El Bolsón has to offer.
Best of El Bolsón
Eat & Shop
Feria Artesanal
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, from 10:00 to 17:00, hundreds of local artists assemble in El Bolsón's Plaza Pagano to sell handmade foods and products, including waffles, fruit juice, berries, craft beer, jams & honeys.
Drink
Otto Tipp Cerveceria
Named after Otto Tipp, a German immigrant who supposedly introduced the hop plant, humulus lupulus, to the El Bolsón region. Beers include the classic trifecta: rubia, roja, and negra — plus seasonal specials, including a beer brewed with local berries.
Stay
La Chacra Camping
Premier campground in El Bolson, just south of the town center. Quiet, clean campsites, sit beneath a shade canopy made up of fruit trees. Electricity, potable water and wifi (which reaches sites near the registration office), $150 ARS per person. Look for the big orange flag off Ruta 40.
Explore El Bolsón
Trekking and More
Lago Puelo
The small village of Lago Puelo sits between El Bolsón (to the north) and Parque Nacional Lago Puelo (just south). Locals are known to be crafty and will sell handmade trinkets and jewelry displayed and sold in summer festivals such as the Fiesta del Bosque, held annually in February.
The Parque Nacional Lago Puelo is a popular destination for those spending more than a couple nights in El Bolsón. Known for the lago it's named after, Lago Puelo, the park is a great escape for locals featuring a beach and picnic area. There is an entrance fee of $150 ARS at the entrance.
El Hoyo
South of El Bolsón on Ruta 40, the community of El Hoyo has a few services (and it on the Bicycle Patagonia Tour). While it's not necessarily an eye-catching tourist destination, there is a museo and a highly-rated maze, or labyrinth, Laberinto Patagonia, with confectionery.
Bike route from El Bolsón to Cholia