El Bolson

V!VA User‘s Description

How could you resist staying in a place whose name roughly translates to 'The Sack'? El Bolsón, so called because it lies in a bag-shaped valley between snow capped peaks, has a magnetic charm that makes you want to stay forever.

By Shanie Matthews

El Bolsón is a small village nestled within the river valley separating two impressive mountain ranges. Its location leads itself to pleasant weather when neighboring areas are seeing rain. The plentiful sunshine and nurturing soil has helped the small town to be Argentina’s berry, hops and organic foods mecca. The town is a mixture of gauchos, Mapuche Indians and Grateful Dead follower look-alikes. The combination has created a forward thinking township that is open-minded, appreciative of all cultures and understands the importance of Mother Earth. The town is filled with holistic and homeopathic body spas that specialize in all types of modalities including reiki, acupuncture, reflexology, cranial-sacral therapy and floral therapy. The town is also home to a healthy creative community that hosts a multitude of festivals and fairs to show off and sell their wares as well as on occasional live music shows. El Bolsón is a backpackers paradise with campgrounds interlaced through the outskirts of town and along the rivers, though it does have a sprinkling of hosterias and small hotels in the center of town.

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Traveler Reviews of El Bolson

Amo El Bolson!

Rating: 100%

Visiting El Bolson was like taking a few steps back in time. I stayed with a local (friend of a friend) who not only built his own house from lumber from the land it was on but also caught his own fish in the Rio Azul and brought us a whole Patagonian lamb for dinner one night. The Bolsonians were friendly and not trying to capitalize on tourists. The mountains and river surrounding the town are beautiful and have some of the best refugios I've ever stayed in. Hiking the untrafficked trails is an extraordinary and peaceful experience. In February there is a nationally known electronic music festival that we went to - only for the open-minded music lover. Think Daft Punk and British house music in the woods under a full moon, surrounded by Spanish speaking hippies and you're pretty close to the vibe.

By Kat from Florida, USA, Jun 19, 2007