Top 5 best scooter rentals in San Carlos de Bariloche

Patagonia looks made for two wheels, and nowhere is that clearer than the road out of Bariloche along Avenida Bustillo. Rent a scooter here and the mountains stop being scenery you pass on a bus window and become something you ride through — forest one minute, turquoise lake the next, with the Andes sitting on the horizon the whole way. Head out toward Circuito Chico and you will find yourself stopping every few kilometres, at a viewpoint over Nahuel Huapi or the pier at Bahía López, simply because you can.

Bariloche's big draws sit 20 to 30 km from downtown, strung along a winding lakeside road with light traffic and enough curves to make the ride itself part of the point. A car feels heavy for this kind of route, and parking at the small pull-offs along Circuito Chico is tight; a scooter slips into a spot at every lookout, has plenty of range for the full loop, and lets you set your own pace instead of a tour bus schedule. If you want to rent a scooter in San Carlos de Bariloche, this is exactly the kind of road it was built for.

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

1. Circuito Chico (Av. Bustillo, Km 18 to Km 33) — the classic 25 km loop past forests, lakes and mountain viewpoints, and the natural backbone of any scooter day out from Bariloche.
2. Cerro Campanario — a short climb (or cable car) to one of the best panoramas in Patagonia, looking over Lago Nahuel Huapi and Lago Moreno.
3. Punto Panorámico — an easy roadside overlook on Circuito Chico and the must-stop photo point of the whole route.
4. Hotel Llao Llao and Llao Llao Municipal Park — the iconic lakeside hotel and its peninsula, with short trails and views over Lago Moreno and Lago Nahuel Huapi.
5. Bahía López — a turquoise bay with a small beach and pier, a favourite rest stop along the loop.
6. Colonia Suiza — a historic Swiss-settler village with a Saturday craft market and easy-going restaurants, a good spot to close the loop.
7. Playa Bonita — a lake beach right on Av. Bustillo, close to town and perfect for a quick swim or sunset stop.
8. Cerro Otto — a mountain just west of downtown with a summit road and a revolving café at the top, ideal for a shorter excursion.
9. Centro Cívico — Bariloche's stone-built central plaza, the usual starting point before heading out along Av. Bustillo.
10. Ruta 40 toward Villa La Angostura — the opening stretch of the famous Seven Lakes Route, worth riding as far as the first lakes for a half-day taste of Patagonia's most celebrated road.

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

Argentina has no small-engine exemption, so a motorcycle licence from your home country is required even for a modest scooter, and rental companies will want to see it alongside an International Driving Permit and your passport. Minimum age is usually in the low twenties, though each operator sets its own floor. Expect a deposit as well, most commonly held on a credit card, though some smaller outfits ask for cash and a photocopy of your passport.

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

A scooter rental in San Carlos de Bariloche runs around 8,000–11,000 ARS per day in low season, rising to 16,000–24,000 ARS per day in high season, with newer or larger-displacement scooters reaching 30,000–35,000 ARS per day in peak weeks.

• Prices climb in January and February, Argentina's summer holidays, and again in July for the ski season.
• April–May and September–October are the cheapest months, with fewer tourists on the road.

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

December through February is Bariloche's busiest and priciest stretch, with a second surge in July when the ski crowds arrive. If you can, aim for the shoulder months — April, May, September and October — when prices drop and Circuito Chico is far quieter. For the best mix of weather and open roads, November through March is when Patagonia's mountain routes are at their most rideable, so book ahead if your trip lands inside that window.

Local traffic rules in San Carlos de Bariloche

Argentina drives on the right, and helmets are mandatory for both rider and passenger on any scooter or motorcycle — police checks on this are routine. Keep your headlight on at all times once you're out on rural roads, day or night; most riders just leave it on for the whole trip. Urban limits sit around 40–60 km/h, rising on open routes outside town, though signage always takes priority. Argentina's tolerance for riding after drinking is effectively zero for motorcyclists, so the safest rule is simple: none at all before you ride. Once you're ready, use the search form at the top of the page to rent a scooter in San Carlos de Bariloche. Have a nice trip!

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter 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, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!