Pucón is a town in Chile's La Araucanía Region, in the south of the country, on the shore of Lake Villarrica and at the foot of the volcano of the same name. It lies 785 km from Santiago on Route 5 South and about 90 km from La Araucanía Airport (ZCO), near Temuco. According to the 2024 Census, the commune has 32,321 inhabitants.
Villarrica Volcano (2,847 m) is an active stratovolcano monitored by SERNAGEOMIN, which ranks it first in its specific-risk ranking of Chile's volcanoes. It is protected by Villarrica National Park, created in 1940, covering 53,460 ha across the communes of Villarrica, Pucón, Curarrehue and Panguipulli. The Pillán Mountain Center runs on its northern slope, about 30 minutes from town.
Around Pucón there are lakes, rivers and araucaria forests: Huerquehue National Park (12,500 ha, created in 1967), Ojos del Caburgua, the Trancura River and more than ten hot springs within a 35 km radius. Villarrica and Huerquehue national parks are part of the Araucarias Biosphere Reserve, declared by UNESCO in 1983.
The Rucapillán sector of Villarrica National Park is 8 km from Pucón on the volcano road, and the crater climb starts there: CONAF lists it as a 3.3 km, 3-hour trail rated demanding. You climb with a guide and a Sernatur-registered operator, and only when SERNAGEOMIN's alert level allows it: if activity rises, crater access is closed. Without going to the summit, the Mirador Los Cráteres trail (3.9 km, 2 hours) offers views of the volcano. According to Sernatur, park entry costs 11,000 Chilean pesos (about US$12) and is sold through Pases Parques.
See toursPucón's waterfront links Playa Grande, a beach of dark volcanic sand, with La Poza, a calm-water boat landing. In summer the lake fills with water sports. The town center is walkable along Bernardo O'Higgins and Fresia avenues and Caupolicán street, with crafts fairs.
See tours35 km from Pucón, it protects 12,500 ha of araucaria forest and high lagoons. Its best-known trail, Los Lagos, is 10.8 km one way and takes about 4 hours, rated medium. Access is via the Caburgua road and the turnoff to Paillaco; the last 8 km are gravel. It has a campground with 22 sites assigned first come, first served, with no reservations. From June to September there is snow on the trails.
See tours20 km from central Pucón on Route S-199 toward Caburgua, these waterfalls are fed by groundwater surfacing from Lake Caburgua. Trails and wooden walkways lead to the Laguna Azul. The entrance fee is paid on site.
See toursThere are more than ten hot springs within a 35 km radius. Some of them: Termas de Huife, with three outdoor pools at 38 to 40 °C; Quimey-Co, at 36 to 43 °C, declared a Healing Spring in 2014; Menetúe, with lodging and a spa; and Parque Termal Botánico, with 10 pools at 35 to 41 °C. Termas Geométricas, with its red walkways, is 82 km away, almost two hours by car.
See toursAbout 50 minutes from Pucón, the Trancura has class II, III and IV rapids. Kayaking and hydrospeed are also on offer. According to Sernatur, rafting starts at about 25,000 Chilean pesos per person (US$27), depending on the operator, the section and the season. Pick an operator registered with Sernatur.
See toursCurarrehue (Kurarewe) is 40 km from Pucón, on the road to the Mamuil Malal Pass. There, the Rutas Ancestrales Araucarias network offers Mapuche-Pehuenche cultural experiences, with programs from one to eight days.
In winter, the Pillán Mountain Center, inside Villarrica National Park and about 30 minutes from Pucón, is one of the few ski areas in the world on an active volcano. It has lifts, a ski school and runs with views of Lake Villarrica. Snow chains are mandatory on the way up: a 4x4 is the best option.
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| Month | High | Low | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 23°C 73°F | 13°C 55°F | 14.6 h |
| Feb | 24°C 75°F | 14°C 56°F | 13.6 h |
| Mar | 21°C 70°F | 12°C 53°F | 12.3 h |
| Apr | 17°C 63°F | 9°C 49°F | 11.0 h |
| May | 14°C 57°F | 7°C 44°F | 10.0 h |
| Jun | 11°C 51°F | 5°C 41°F | 9.4 h |
| Jul | 10°C 50°F | 4°C 38°F | 9.7 h |
| Aug | 11°C 52°F | 4°C 39°F | 10.6 h |
| Sep | 13°C 56°F | 5°C 41°F | 11.9 h |
| Oct | 16°C 60°F | 6°C 44°F | 13.1 h |
| Nov | 18°C 65°F | 9°C 49°F | 14.3 h |
| Dec | 21°C 70°F | 11°C 52°F | 14.9 h |
2015–2024 averages calculated from Open-Meteo historical data (ERA5 reanalysis). They may differ by one or two degrees from the local weather station.
December to March is the best time and the high season: water sports on the lake, rafting on the Trancura and every park trail open. In winter you can ski on the volcano and combine snow with hot springs, the plan Sernatur suggests for autumn and winter.
December to February
High season: Playa Grande, kayaking and water sports on Lake Villarrica, rafting, and trails in Huerquehue and Villarrica national parks. CONAF warns of rockfall risk on the Villarrica crater trail from December to April.
March to May
There are fewer visitors than in summer and a quieter feel. It's a good time for hiking and hot springs.
June to August
Ski season at the Pillán Mountain Center. It's cold and rainy, with snow higher up: chains are mandatory to drive up to the ski center and the parks. Huerquehue's trails have snow from June to September.
September to November
Days get longer ahead of summer. Some high trails in Huerquehue and Villarrica national parks stay closed until December: check each one's status with CONAF before you go.
The flight from Santiago to La Araucanía Airport (ZCO), near Temuco, takes about 1 h 20 min. From there it's about 90 km to Pucón, roughly an hour and a half by car.
It's 785 km on Route 5 South, about 8 to 9 hours of driving. Intercity buses also run between Santiago and Pucón.
Via the Mamuil Malal Pass (1,210 m), on Route 199-CH through Curarrehue. On the Argentine side it connects with Neuquén Province. It's open to cars and buses only: check the pass hours and status on Pasos Fronterizos before you go.
3 days cover Pucón and the lake, Villarrica National Park and Huerquehue. With 4 you can add Trancura rafting and Curarrehue, or a hot springs day.
Pucón town center, Playa Grande and La Poza in the morning; Ojos del Caburgua in the afternoon.
Villarrica National Park: guided crater climb, if the alert level allows it, or the Mirador Los Cráteres trail. Hot springs on the way back.
Huerquehue National Park: Los Lagos trail (10.8 km one way).
Rafting on the Trancura River and a visit to Curarrehue.
In Chile's La Araucanía Region, on the shore of Lake Villarrica and at the foot of Villarrica Volcano. It's 785 km from Santiago and about 90 km from La Araucanía Airport, near Temuco.
Yes, with a guide and a Sernatur-registered operator, and only if SERNAGEOMIN's alert level allows it. The climb starts from the Rucapillán sector of Villarrica National Park; CONAF lists the crater trail at 3.3 km and 3 hours, rated demanding.
According to Sernatur, 11,000 Chilean pesos (about US$12). Tickets are sold through Pases Parques, CONAF's official system, which also lists opening hours and trail status.
Fly to La Araucanía Airport (ZCO), near Temuco (about 1 h 20 min), then drive about 90 km. By car it's 785 km on Route 5 South, 8 to 9 hours, and there are also intercity buses.
Via the Mamuil Malal Pass, on Route 199-CH through Curarrehue, into Neuquén Province. It's open to cars and buses only; hours and status are published on Pasos Fronterizos.
More than ten within a 35 km radius, including Huife, Quimey-Co, Menetúe and Parque Termal Botánico. Termas Geométricas is 82 km away, almost two hours by car.
At least 3 days: one for Pucón, the lake and Ojos del Caburgua, one for Villarrica Volcano and one for Huerquehue National Park. With 4 days you can add Trancura rafting and Curarrehue.
December to March, when lake activities, rafting and the high trails are all running. In winter you can ski at the Pillán Mountain Center, and hot springs are the main plan.