Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in San Carlos de Bariloche

Bariloche looks like a place built for two wheels. Snowcapped peaks drop straight into Lago Nahuel Huapi, the road out of town twists along the shoreline before it climbs into forest, and every few kilometres another lookout stops you in your tracks. Ride out toward Llao Llao in the late afternoon and you'll catch the light hitting the water exactly the way the postcards promise, minus the crowd of a tour bus.

This is a city where a motorcycle earns its keep. The places worth seeing — the Circuito Chico, Colonia Suiza, the viewpoints above Bahía López — sit 20 to 35 km outside town on winding lakeside roads that buses cover once or twice a day, if at all. On a bike you cover the same ground in a couple of hours and stop wherever the view demands it. The main loops are paved and traffic outside the centre is light, so you don't need serious off-road experience to enjoy it — just a decent set of brakes for the hills.

Top 10 things to see in San Carlos de Bariloche by motorcycle

1. Circuito Chico — the classic ~25 km loop past lakes, forests and viewpoints, and the standard first ride for anyone with a bike here.
2. Cerro Campanario — a short detour off the Circuito Chico, with a chairlift up to a panorama over Nahuel Huapi and Lago Moreno that National Geographic has ranked among the best views in the world.
3. Llao Llao (Parque Municipal Llao Llao) — the iconic hotel, peninsula trails and Puerto Pañuelo, the natural end point of the Circuito Chico ride.
4. Punto Panorámico Bahía López — a roadside stop over turquoise water that's essentially a mandatory photo break on the loop.
5. Villa Tacul — a small peninsula with a sheltered beach, an easy detour a few minutes off the main road.
6. Colonia Suiza — a historic Swiss settlement with a small market and cafés, a relaxed ride beyond the usual loop.
7. Cerro Otto — a winding road up the mountain right behind the city to a revolving café; note the summit stretch has an unpaved switchback section, so check your bike is suited to it.
8. Cerro Catedral — ride up to Argentina's biggest ski resort for chairlift views and mountain scenery even in summer.
9. Playa Bonita / Península San Pedro — an easy lakeside loop east of downtown, forested and quiet.
10. Ruta 40 toward the Ruta de los Siete Lagos — a longer day ride north along the lake, following the start of one of Argentina's most famous roads toward Villa La Angostura.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in San Carlos de Bariloche?

Argentina has no moped exemption, so even a small scooter requires a motorcycle licence — visitors typically ride on their home-country licence together with an International Driving Permit (IDP) and passport. Rental companies set their own minimum age, usually around the low twenties, and will ask for a deposit, most often held on a credit card.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in San Carlos de Bariloche?

Expect roughly 7,000–9,000 ARS per day for a small scooter or moped in low season, rising to about 14,000–22,000 ARS for a scooter or mid-size motorcycle in high season, and 30,000 ARS and up for larger touring bikes.

• Prices peak in January and February, during the Argentine summer holidays, and again in July around the Cerro Catedral ski season.
• They ease off from April to June and September to November, the shoulder months when both snow and summer crowds are gone.

When to book a rental motorcycle in San Carlos de Bariloche?

Book ahead if you're coming in January, February or July — that's when demand and prices both peak. If you can travel in the shoulder months, April to June or September to November, you'll find lower rates and more availability without the crowds on the Circuito Chico.

Local traffic rules in San Carlos de Bariloche

Argentina drives on the right. Helmets are mandatory for riders and passengers, and enforcement on motorcycles is routine. Urban streets are typically limited to 40 km/h and avenues to 60 km/h, while open rural routes allow up to 110 km/h — watch for signed limits, which change often on mountain roads. Motorcyclists face a stricter 0.2 g/l blood-alcohol limit than car drivers, and several areas apply zero tolerance, so the safest rule is simply not to drink before riding.

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!