Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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means the main street is a thoroughfare for tractor-trailer trucks making their way south
from Puerto Montt to southern Chile (ther e is no r oad through southern Chile, so all
transport has to come through Argentina).
Other Outdoor Activities
BIKING
Free B ikes,
at Las F ucsias and Los N otros (
&
02944/495047;
www.free
bikes.com.ar), has a large selection of r ental bikes for $3 (£2) per hour , $11 (£7.45) up
to 6 hours, and $14 (£9.45) for a full day. They also guide a number of different moun-
tain-bike trips.
FISHING
Anglers typically head to the r enowned Río Corr entoso for rainbo w and
brown trout, reached just before crossing the bridge just outside town on Ruta Nacional
231, from the Siete Lagos road.
Banana Fly Shop,
at Arrayanes 282 (
&
02944/494634
),
sells flies and gear, and they pr ovide information and can r ecommend guides. You may
pick up a
fishing license
here or at the Bosques y Parques Provinciales office at the port
(
&
02944/494157
); it's open Monday through Friday from 11am to 4pm, Wednesday
until 2pm, Saturday and holidays from 2:30 to 5pm.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Hop on a horse and ride up to the top of the ridge for vie ws
of all the area lakes. Organized by a well-known local character,
Cabalgatas Correntoso
(
&
02944/624221;
www.cabalgatacorrentoso.com.ar) has rides from 2 to 9 hours, and
overnight pack trips.
SKIING
Villa La Angostura is home to a little gem of a ski resort,
Cerro Bayo,
located
about 9km (5
1
/
2
miles) from downtown. It's a smaller resort than the one at Cerr o Cat-
edral, but the crowds are thinner and the vie w is wonderful. For those reasons, I almost
prefer it. There are 250 skiable acres. About 40% of the terrain is intermediate, and 35%
is advanced. To reach it, you'll need to take a long lift fr om the base up to the summit;
during the summer , this same chairlift pr ovides access to an ex cellent shor t hike and
lookout point. Cerro Bayo has ski and snowboard rental and instruction; the season runs
from mid-June to mid-September, although it can get fairly patchy toward the end of the
season.
To get to Cerr o Bayo, ask y our hotel to arrange transpor tation or hir e a taxi for the
short ride. Tickets are $21 to $27 (£14-£18) for adults, $14 to $21 (£9.45-£14) for kids,
depending on the season. Kids 5 and under and adults 66 and older ski fr ee. Half-day
tickets, 3-day tickets, and w eekly passes ar e also av ailable. For more information, call
&
02944/494189
or visit www.cerrobayoweb.com.
WHERE TO STAY
Very Expensive
Las Balsas
One of the greatest inns in the country, the award-winning Relais &
Châteaux-affiliated Las Balsas has the airs of a countr y cottage, and an unbeatable lake-
front setting (neighbors are among the wealthiest folk in Argentina). From the moment
you walk in, you'll feel relaxed and at home. Common areas range from a big-screen TV
room upstairs to a living room with a massive fireplace, comfortable couches, and coffee-
table books. With only 15 r ooms, this place ensur es that guests get away fr om it all.
English-speaking staff members are very charming and attentive without being stuffy or
condescending, which enhances the air of ex clusivity here. There is a str ong focus on
details, fr om fr esh orange slices b y the pool to impor ted teas. R ooms ar e generally
small—this inn was built long before the McMansion-style hotel trends of late—but they
make up for their limited size with character. Each room is different, and all have bright
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