The centre of Pucon

The nearby volcano Villarrica

Pucón [1] is a small destination city in the middle of the southern lake region in Chile.

Extremely popular both with Chileans (high season January-February) and foreigners, as its breathtaking views and fabulous surroundings make it the ideal vacation spot for anyone. The city center looks a bit like backpacker's Disneyland though, filled with travel agencies that will offer you any kind of day trips imaginable. If you don't like it too crowded, you'll be better off in the nearby town of Villarrica.

Get in

By bus

(for those who want to take their time): Buses travel between Santiago and Pucón daily. We recommend taking the overnight bus (the buses have comfortable seats and food service); in the morning you will arrive at Pucon. Some buses are definitely more comfortable than others so if possible try to buy the tickets ahead of time.

By air

(quick and comfortable): Chilean airlines, fly in only one hour from Santiago daily to Temuco. From Temuco you can rent a car or request a transfer to the hotel, which is about an hour and a half away. (In summer there are several direct flights from Santiago to Pucón)

By train

(the historic way): For an adventure, take the train that leaves Santiago at night and arrives in Temuco the next morning. Take care: the old and picturesque art deco sleeping cars are not working any more. In Temuco you can rent a car or take a bus for the 1 1/2-hour trip to Pucon

By car

(for those who want to sightsee along the way): You can lease a car in Santiago and drive to Pucon, taking time to visit wineries, waterfalls, and historic places, The drive takes approximately 8 hours and the road is a double lane and in excellent condition..

Get around

Climbing the Villarrica

See

Pucon gives access to the Villarrica, one of the most active volcanoes in Chile. Many agencies offer climbing the Villarrica in a day trip. While you can visit all the year round, in the winter it becomes the most important skiing center in the south of Chile.

Do

• Golf. In "Peninsula", a residencial area downtown, you can find a beautiful and well maintained golf course with amazing views of the Villarrica volcano and the Villarrica lake surrounding the course. Unfortunately, it's just for members, there is no free entry.

• Horse back riding. Many different places rent horse or offer tours, specially in summer there are horses for rent on many corners, not all of them in good shape and condition. Pucon as the first town in Chile has regulations for horseriding .You may find it right to prefer companies that stick to these minimum rules. It's possible to have rides to the Mapuche (The only "Indian" nation in southern America that resisted the Spanish conquerors) settlement "Quelhue" nearby and learn about their lifestyle. Amongst the Reliable horse farms: http://www.rancho-de-caballos.com/ and http://www.antilco.com

• Hiking in Huerquehue National Park. Huerquehue National Park, a mountainous 12,500-hectare (30,900-acre) natural reserve, is located a short drive from Pucon. The park offers a wide variety of hikes that traverse dense beech forests containing native vegetation such as coigües, lingues, and araucarias. Araucarias are unique old-growth trees that live for more than a thousand years. The araucaria is known as the Tree of the Mapuches because its Pehuén seed has sustained the Mapuche people for generations. The hiking paths in Huerquehue National Park lead to pleasant waterfalls and gurgling brooks or to splendid vistas of the Andes and Volcano Villarrica. A trip to the park may take most of the day, so be sure to bring a lunch and plenty of water.

• Hiking in Conguillió National Park. Conguillió National Park, one of Chile's most visited parks, is just a two hour drive from Pucon. The park is full of native vegetation and amazing trails that take you near glacial lakes and wooded valleys. This park offers spectacular views of Llaima Volcano, which erupted violently in 1995. In January and February the information center at Lake Conguillió offers slide shows, ecology talks, guided hikes (of average difficulty), and boat trips to acquaint visitors with the park. The trip to Conguillió National Park takes a full day.

• White water rafting. Rafting and kayaking are popular outdoor activities in Pucón. The glacier-fed Trancura River, with its crystalline whitewater rapids, is the perfect place for rafting. Trancura Bajo offers third-degree rapids, excellent for the whole family (including children older than seven years). This three-hour excursion takes you through native forests and breathtaking scenery. Trancura Alto offers fourth-degree rapids (recommended only for persons older than fourteen years). A half-day of rafting on Trancura Alto is guaranteed to raise your adrenaline while letting you take in the beautiful landscape from the water.

• Snow skiing in an active volcanoe slope. The most important skiing center in the south of Chile, opened from May until October.

• Fishing. Chile's Lake Region is a paradise for anglers. Fly-fishing expeditions, led by expert local guides, on the tranquil and crystalline Río Liucura (about 20 minutes from pucon) or the more turbulent Río Trancura (about an hour away). Both rivers offer magnificent scenery as well as excellent fishing for brown and rainbow trout. At the end of the trip, which lasts approximately three hours, enjoy an asado al palo, a cookout over an open fire.

• Climbing Volcan Villarrica. Snowcapped Villarrica looms majestically over Pucón at 2,840 meters (9318 feet) above sea level. Climbing to the top is non-technical and, on clear days, easy. Thousand of people make the climb each year, most of them in januray and febuary. It is perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the summit offers spectacular views of volcan Llaima, Choshuenco, Quetrupillán, Lanin, and Lonquimay in the horizon. Crampons, ice axe and/or trekking poles and warm windproof clothing is essential equipment year round. To be allowed to climb without a guide you officially need to register with Conaf, have your equipment checked and show proof of membership in a mounteneering organisation in your home country. But walking to the crater unauthorized is very straightforeward and the recommended procedure for climbers who don't want to be part of a guided group. There are very few Conaf officials around and you'll not be noticed among the many other heading to the crater. Most people start from the skiing area, where you can take the ski lift for the first 300 metres. You can also start from near the refugio, at the Mirador Los Craters. From there the climb is longer, but for those carrying skis or snowboards, that means more riding when descending. Getting to the ski area or Mirador Los Craters is easy hitchhiking. Taxis in Pucon will gladly take you there as well. Guided excursions begins early in the morning, provides equipment and transportation and costs about Ch$30 000. Pricier tours include hot spring-bathing, drinks and therapeutic massage. Be sure to check how much money you'll get back if the climb is cancelled due to bad weather.

• Whitewater kayaking. Pucon is a paradise for white water kayakers. http:///www.kayakchile.net

• Hot Springs

Buy

Eat

"La Maga" - Uruguayan Barbeque: One of the best places in the country to have a mouthwatering meat barbeque cooked in the Uruguayan style. You will experience one of the most juicy and tasty meals you could ever have.

Situated in downtown's Fresia Street, close to Pucon Square and Church. You must book in advance specially during the summer because it usually gets a bit busy. "Ecole" in Urrutia street have a great vegetarian restaurant.

Drink

Casinos

Bars

Typically for the gringo scene it is El Bosque, run by a local white water kayaker or it is the Mama and Tapas

Sleep

There's an abundance of Hotels, cabins and hostels in the area.[2]

Get out

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