Our small town (20,000 inhabitants) is located 800 kilometres south of Santiago in the Chilean Lake District. It is surrounded by national parks, mountains, rivers and lakes, but the highlight is the smoking Villarrica-Volcano which dominates the view.

Its enormous natural potential has made Pucón a centre for adventure tourism and outdoor activities. You can spend easily a week or more doing every day a different trip.

Pucón offers a wide range of restaurants, pubs, discotheques, handicraft shops and even a fancy casino. There are three banks in town with ATM, where you can get cash with your VISA or MasterCard. Exchange rates are pretty bad, especially for traveller cheques, so better change some money in bigger cities like Santiago or Temuco before arriving at Pucón.

During the Chilean holidays in January and February it is quite a busy place with an active nightlife, sports competitions and sometimes concerts, but it still remains a charming town.

Climbing Villarrica Volcano

For many travellers, this is the reason to visit Pucón. The climb is not technically difficult, but you need to be in good physical condition. The tour agencies charge 70-90 US$ and will provide you all the equipment, including boots, ice axe and crampons, transport and guide. You leave Pucon at 7 AM in a van to reach the starting-point at 1400 metres above sea level (Pucón is only at 220). From there you walk uphill for 4 to 6 hours to the top at 2847 metres. If you are lucky, you can see boiling lava in the crater and enjoy the view of about ten volcanoes around you. If you want to go on your own you have to accredit being member of a mountaineering club. The equipment you can rent in town.

Huerquehue National Park

This small park offers hikes to beautiful mountain lakes in the middle of an araucaria forest (monkey puzzle tree); a very special experience. The most popular trip is a one-day-hike (recommended in winter too), but you can also cross the park on a four-day-hike.

Horseback Riding

In the surroundings you can do different horse trips through beautiful forest to waterfalls and small lagoons or gallop along a volcanic high plain. There are tours from half a day to nine days. People without previous experience can do the short trips without problems.

Rafting

Pucón is the main centre for rafting in Chile. You have two options only 15 kilometres out of town: the Trancura Bajo is rated class II-III, the Trancura Alto is more difficult, class IV. Both excursions are done almost everyday, even in winter. During summer, from Pucon start the longer-day-trips to the famous rivers Bio Bio and Futaleufú, both class V. Pucón is also the right place for kayaking. In addition to the rivers mentioned above, you can enjoy the Palguín, Fuy and Maichín. In summer there are also classes for beginners.

Mountain Bike

You can hire a bike and we will provide you a map and recommend a trip according to your interests and physical condition. If you want, we can organise transport to your starting point and/or a guide. The most popular trip leads you to lake Caburgua and back through lovely farm land, passing waterfalls, forest, along a river with crystal-clear water to a point with a view of three volcanoes.

Hot Springs

In the Pucón area there are more than seven different hot springs with water temperatures ranging from 34 to 45 degrees Celsius. Most hot springs have pools, a few spas have individual tubs and offer other services such as massage. But some springs are still rustic. There is something for every taste.

Area Tours

Different travel agencies offer tours in the area including visits to lakes, waterfalls and hot springs. If you want to do a more individualised tour, we can organise this for you and make you some suggestions.

Swimming/Watersports

From end-October to mid-April it is possible to swim in lake Villarrica and to relax on its beach of black volcanic sand. During summer season there are rowing or sailing boats for rent or you can practise water ski, windsurf and so on. In January-February, the beach is really crowded in front of the fancy Gran Hotel Pucón, but walking a while on the lakeshore, you will find quieter places.

Fishing

Fishing season is open from the second Friday in November until the first Sunday in May. You can catch trout, Rainbow and Brown, and sometimes salmon. The best spots are Liucura river, upper Trancura and the lagoons in the mountains.

Skiing Chile

There is a small ski centre on the Villarrica volcano with nine lifts, especially popular with snowboarders because of the good snow conditions. The season starts in June and lasts usually till October. You can rent equipment in town. It is an unforgettable experience to descend a smoking volcano on a clear day looking down into the central valley where you can see four lakes...

It is possible to climb the volcano by skis (randonee), take a look of the boiling lava and then descend up to 1800 meters skiing.