This ultimate guide to Pucón provides you with everything you need to know about the adventure capital of Chile. Being home to the active volcano Villarrica, Pucón attracts many national and international tourists. Hiking up to the snowy summit of the volcano is on the list of many adventurers.

Pucón has so much more to offer besides climbing Volcano Villarrica though. From kayaking and rafting to horseback riding and hot springs – you definitely won’t get bored. This ultimate guide to Pucón covers everything from how to get there, when to go, what to pack and things to do.

Things to do in Pucon, Chile

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How to get to Pucón from Santiago

By Bus

Taking a bus from Santiago to Pucón is the cheapest way to get there. The trip takes about 10 hours and you can get a single ticket starting from 15€.

If you take a night bus, you arrive in Pucón early in the morning. The seats in the busses are comfortable and there’s enough leg space.

Turbus and Pullman offer several daily departures from Santiago to Pucón.

By Plane

Pucon only has a small airport, so most flights go to the bigger airport in Temuco. It takes a good hour by car to get to Pucón from Temuco airport and it costs about 10€.

Sky Airline and LATAM operate direct flights from Santiago to Temuco starting from 35€ one-way. It’s only a 1-hour flight.

Things to know before you go

Weather

The climate in the south of Chile can be quite rough. Strong winds, rain and low temperatures are common conditions in the winter months between June and August. The average temperature in June, July and August is around 7°C.

During summer, temperatures are warmer and the climate is milder. The hottest months in Pucón are December, January and February with average temperatures of around 16°C. As the Chilean sun is quite strong, it often feels much hotter than it actually is. With sunshine and 18°C you can already put on your swimsuit and sunbathe by the enormous lake Villarrica.

Best time to visit Pucón

High season in Pucón is during Chilean summer in December and January. If you seek high temperatures and you want to do outdoor activities such as rafting or hiking, the best time to visit Pucón would be in summer. But be aware that Pucón is most crowded during this period as many Chileans go there on vacation.

However, if you aim to do winter sports such as skiing or snowboarding you should visit Pucón in the winter months between July and October.

Both of these periods are high season. If you want to avoid tourist crowds the best time to visit Pucón is during low season in the months March and April or between September and November. During low season you get better prices for accommodation and the tourist hotspots are less crowded. The weather won’t be as good as in summer though.

Usually I’m always a fan of visiting places in low season, even if the weather might not be ideal. However, in Pucón I was glad that I visited during high season in December. Many outdoor activities, such as hiking the volcano Villarrica, depend on the weather. When it’s rainy or stormy there are several activities you won’t be able to do so it’s simply safer to visit Pucón during high season.

Things to do in Pucon, Chile

Getting around in Pucón

Public transport

Pucón has a well-connected and affordable bus system to most tourist attractions such as the Huerquehue National Park or the hot springs. Besides that, if you do excursions such as kayaking or hiking the volcano Villarrica, the agency you book with will take you there and bring you back to Pucón again.

Rent a car in Pucon

If you want to be more flexible and get to places by yourself you can also rent a car in Pucón. In case you fly in to Temuco the best option would be to rent a car at the airport.

Having a car in Pucón allows you to get outside of the town and visit the beautiful landscapes by yourself without having to pay for a tour or being dependent on busses.

Personally, I’m always a fan of renting a car as I don’t like participating in group tours. I prefer exploring places on my own and spending as much time there as I want. This freedom is only possible if you have your own rental car. Plus, it gives you the chance to visit touristy spots at times when no-one else is there.

The roads in and around Pucón are well-maintained and easy to drive on. Driving there definitely shouldn’t be a problem.

What to pack for a trip to Pucón

In Pucón you should be equipped for all weathers. In high altitudes you might encounter snow while you can sunbath and swim in the lake in lower altitudes.

  • Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat
  • Windbreaker
  • Hiking shoes – I use these ones by Colombia. They’re comfortable and they provide good stability.
  • Swimsuit
  • Active wear
  • Action camera like GoPro

Top things to do in Pucón

Pucón is a dream destination for every outdoor-active and adventurous traveller. There’s so much to experience and you probably won’t have enough time to do it all. Outdoor activities range from rafting and kayaking to horseback riding and hiking. In winter you can ski and snowboard down the slopes near volcano Villarrica.

Hike Volcano Villarica

Volcano Villarrica, Pucon, Chile

The most famous attraction of Pucón is the active volcano Villarica. Many adventurous travelers make the ascend of the volcano their main reason for a visit.

It takes about 4-5 hours to hike to the top, depending on your level of fitness. Here’s a detailed guide about climbing Volcano Villarrica with everything you need to know.

Check out this volcano climbing experience with a certified guide for every 3 participants:

Hike in Huerquehue National Park

The Huerquehue National Park is perfect for a day trip from Pucón. It takes about an hour to get there by bus. A return ticket for the bus costs 5€. The entrance fee for the national park is 8€.

Huerquehue National Park has trails with different levels of difficulty – be it families with kids or experienced adventurers. The national park is home to 3 lakes – Chico, Toro and Verde – and 2 waterfalls.

Make sure to check the weather forecast before you go, as the experience is much better with sunshine.

If you would like to experience Pucón’s nature with a knowledgeable local guide you can book your hiking experience here.

White Water Rafting in Pucón

Besides climbing the volcano Villarrica, rafting is one of the most popular adventurous activities in Pucón. The Trancura River and its white water rapids make it the perfect adventurous experience.

Things to do in Pucon, Chile

When I was in Pucón I did rafting for the first time and boy, was I nervous and excited. The nervousness was unwarranted – I felt completely safe during the whole experience and it was so much fun! Our guide was experienced, he gave us clear instructions and made sure that everyone was safe. You can book your rafting experience here.

Lago de Caburgua

Lago de Caburgua is a big lake next to the Huerquehue National Park. It offers beautiful mountainous views and a white sand beach, Playa Blanca. You can reach Playa Blanca by walk or by minibus. On the lake you can rent a kayak or simply go for a swim.

But be aware that the beach is rather touristy and on a beautiful summer day it can be fully packed with people.

Ojos de Caburgua

Not far from Lago de Caburgua you can find Ojos de Caburgua, a small lagoon with 4 waterfalls clashing into it. The color of the water is an intense blue and seeing 4 small waterfalls falling into a tiny lagoon is quite impressive.

I recommend going there early in the morning to avoid crowds. There’s an entrance fee of 1€.

Explore Villarrica

Things to do in Pucon, Chile

Villarrica is not only a volcano but also a town and a lake. The lake Villarrica is surrounded by black sand beaches where you can lie down to enjoy the sun and the view of the imposing volcano.

For only 6 EUR you can join a walking tour through Villarrica town and learn about the history and culture. Click here to book your walking tour.

Horseback Riding near Pucón

Horseback riding is a great way to explore the nature around Pucón. You don’t have to be experienced in riding as there are tours for every skill level. If you want to have the full experience, you can even stay at a ranch for several days. Book your horseback riding experience here.

Thermal springs Los Pozones

Things to do in Pucon, Chile

Visiting one of the various thermal springs of Pucón is less of an adrenaline kick but it’s the perfect place to let your muscles relax after the above mentioned adventures. The most famous ones are Termas Geometricas. You can book your experience to the Termas Geometricas here. This experience also includes a hike to a beautiful viewpoint.

I didn’t make it to Termas Geometricas and visited Los Pozones instead. Los Pozones are the most affordable thermal springs in the region of Pucón and they don’t disappoint at all. So we decided to save some money and head to Los Pozones.

Things to do in Pucon, Chile

There’s an entrance fee of 9€ if you visit the hot springs during the day and 11€ if you visit in the evening. You can stay there for a duration of 3 hours, which is definitely enough as the area isn’t that big.

The thermal springs are located next to a river surrounded by nature. When we were there we had the place almost to ourselves. Imagine sitting in the warm water while you hear the sound of the river and there’s nothing but nature around you. It’s a great place to disconnect and free your mind.

The springs consist of six pools with varying temperatures. If you’re brave you can even cool down in the freezing water of the river and then hop back into the warm pools again.

My muscles were quite sore after all the adventures we had experienced in Pucon. Visiting the thermal springs Los Pozones was the perfect closure of this trip.

I recommend bringing water and some snacks as you can’t buy anything there.

Getting there by bus:

Take the Regiobus from Pucón, it costs 2€ for a one-way ticket.
If you take the bus at 10:30 in the morning you can enjoy tranquility at the springs as there are usually only a few people at that time.

 

Where to stay in Pucón

There are lots of great places to stay in Pucón, but they tend to sell out quickly in high season – Pucón is just a small town after all. Be sure to book your place early enough.

On a Budget

Hostal Raíz and Selina Plaza Pucón are lovely places for backpackers, solo travelers and travelers on a budget. Selina Plaza Pucón even has a swimming pool. 

Mid-range hotels

Casa Rural Dalia is a great choice for nature-lovers and tranquility-seekers. Located a bit outside of the main tourist area, this is the perfect place for a relaxing stay amidst nature.

Espacio Ecole Pucón is located in the heart of Pucón. It’s a warm and cozy place paired with modern design.

Luxury

Rakau Lodge is the ultimate place to indulge. Beautifully designed spaces and located in a secluded area in nature you will fall in love with this place.

Pucón – Is it worth it?

Yes, for sure! I highly recommend including Pucón to your Chile itinerary. No matter if you’re an outdoor-active adventure traveller or you seek to relax and experience the culture, everyone will find something in Pucón.

There are lots of great restaurants, arts and crafts markets and bars with nightlife. Even simply going for a walk along the lake and through the town is a great experience as the laid-back vibe makes you feel relaxed.

I hope my ultimate guide to Pucón is useful for your planning and convinced you to visit this lovely town in the south of Chile.

Things to do in Pucon, Chile

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