Arelauquen Golf & Country Club
On Ruta 82, facing Lago Gutiérrez with the Andes as a permanent backdrop, Arelauquen Golf & Country Club is the largest sports and recreation complex in the greater Bariloche area. Its 18-hole golf course is considered one of the finest in Patagonia, and its open-door policy for visiting tourists makes it one of the few courses in the region accessible to players beyond the resident membership.
The course was designed by Vicente “Chino” Fernández, an internationally recognized golfer who has won more than 93 tournaments worldwide and built a distinguished career on the PGA Champions Tour. The course was built using modern ground-stabilization techniques and features computerized irrigation on fairways, greens, and tee boxes, ensuring consistent playing conditions throughout the year despite Patagonia’s variable climate. The layout deliberately uses the terrain: holes unfold between lakes, streams, and native forest, with crosscut views to Lago Gutiérrez and the snow-capped peaks surrounding Bariloche. The course is certified by the Asociación Argentina de Golf (AAG), which authorizes the hosting of official tournaments.
For those looking to take up the sport or sharpen their game, the Golf Academy operates year-round under the instruction of professional Fernando Sas. The academy runs age-grouped schools for juniors starting from age five through eighteen, as well as private lessons for adults. A bunker and driving range complete the practice infrastructure. The pro shop offers rental equipment, clubs, and bags alongside specialized apparel and official club merchandise.
The social heart of the complex is the Club House, a 1,300 m² building positioned facing the two polo fields, with direct mountain views. It houses the MIL OCHO 75 restaurant, a bar, reading rooms, game rooms, and a dedicated children’s area. The Club House sports facilities include a fully equipped gym, two saunas, a massage room, and two heated swimming pools — one semi-Olympic pool with both covered and open-air sections, and a separate children’s pool.
Beyond golf, Arelauquen maintains a broad sporting program that sets it apart from other clubs in the region. Polo has a strong presence, with two competition-grade fields hosting matches and practice sessions in season. The equestrian facilities operate independently, and tennis courts and other outdoor activities round out the offering. This range of sports makes the grounds productive across all four seasons, from the Patagonian summer through the snow months, when the surrounding landscape takes on a different dimension entirely.
The grounds sit a few kilometers from central Bariloche along the Lago Gutiérrez corridor, one of the area’s most traveled scenic routes. The combination of relatively easy access from the city, a privileged natural setting, and a standard of service on par with high-end urban clubs positions Arelauquen as a destination that goes well beyond purely golfing interest. For travelers seeking an active tourism experience at an international level in the heart of Patagonia, the club represents a singular option within Bariloche’s broader offering.
