Pucon Travel Guide

Pucon is the capital of the Lakes Region adventure tourism, a small town with a big bang for tourists. It's located less then 500 miles south of Santiago, easily accessible on an overnight bus from the capital, arriving while the mist is still rising off Lake Villarica, on whose shores it sits.

The main attraction in Pucon is the presence of the Villarica volcano, which overlooks the city, and on clear days, has everyone craning their heads to look at it. Intrepid travelers will wander down the main street and into a local outfitter to do a trial suit-up the day before, to pick up their gear the following morning to make this long, but non-technical climb. Another thing that pulls travelers to Pucon are the plentiful hotsprings, with everything from mud-lined pools with communal changing huts above, to slate lined pools in the style of a Japanese onsen (but no naked bathing!).

Other attractions in Pucon include hiking in the national park and a local reserve, ziplining, rafting, mountain biking, and visiting the nearby cities and towns, including Villarica, which has a better view of the volcano, but which doesn't do nearly the amount of tourism as Pucon. Food and lodging options in Pucon abound, with something to suit travelers from backpackers to five-star tastes. Book ahead from mid December through the first of March, as it's a popular place for tourists and locals alike.

Where to Go in Pucon