El Bolsón, Río Negro

El Bolsón is a village situated in the far southwest of Río Negro Province in Argentina, at the foot of the Piltriquitron Mountain. Due to a series of valleys through the mountains of Chile to the Pacific Ocean, El Bolsón has an unusually temperate climate for its southern location.

El Bolsón is a melting pot of both histories, myths and legends of the first indigenous inhabitants of the area together with various waves of European immigrants and the cultural movements of the 1970s, often known broadly as the hippy movement where simple and sustainable living practices are still a way of life. The area is known for its production of cheeses, smoked trout, artisanal beer, regional chocolates and ice cream, as well as its organic & wildcrafted jams and preserves, particularly sauco berries (Elderberries) amongst others. Local craftsmen also produce skillful and truly typical articrafts and the town has a thriving arts and crafts market.

El Bolsón is the closest town to the famous Los Alerces National Park on the border with Chile, and is a starting point for several adventure sports like fly fishing, trekking, rafting, climbing, and skiing, and other outdoor activities in the surrounding lakes and mountains.

In the town there is a variety of accommodations including hostels and bed and breakfasts ("hospedajes") run by, among others, descendants of German immigrants, and restaurants feature regional delicacies such as Patagonian lamb, fresh river trout and the never absent "parilladas" (mixed grill).

External links

* [http://www.bolsonweb.com El Bolsón Web portal] (in Spanish)
* [http://www.pinamar-bariloche.com.ar/portal.php?localidadID=7/ El Bolsón (Spanish)]