Bariloche Services

By Caroline Bennett

TOURIST OFFICE

A friendly but cramped and crowded tourist office is located in the centro cívico (daily 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. Tel: 02944-426784, Web: www.bariloche.com). Lots of useful information and a continually updated list of accommodation with vacancies, including a list of family homes offering lodging when everything is full.

MONEY

Bank hours seem to be on mountain time, vary with the season, and are a bit sporadic, though ATMs are readily available around town. Banco La Nación (Mitre 178), Banco de Galicia (Moreno 77), and Banco Francés (San Martin 336) offer all general and international services, including exchanging currency and cashing travelers checks (bring your passport). There is also a currency exchange house (Cambio Sudamericana, Mitre 63. Open 9 a.m.-2 p.m.). Bank hours are 8 a.m.-1 p.m. from Dec- March; and 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. April-Nov.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

An international post office is located on Moreno 175, open Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat 8:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. Locutorios with local and international telephone and fax services and Internet are plentiful, with tens of locations lining the busy calle Mitre. Cyber Firenze (Quaglia 262) and Cyber Café (Quaglia 220) are poplar spots with fast connections and drinks and snacks.

MEDICAL

The main hospital is on Perito Moreno 601 (Tel: 02944-426100). There are several pharmacies around town, including Del Centro (Rolando 699) in the center.

LAUNDRY

Many hotels offer laundry services, or take it in yourself to Laverap (Elfein 251).