Pucón & Villarrica Volcano

Chile's outdoor adventure capital: summit the smoking Villarrica Volcano to peer at its lava, then unwind with hot springs, lakes and monkey-puzzle national parks.

Pucón sits on the eastern shore of Lake Villarrica in southern Chile's Araucanía Region, about 780 km from the capital, Santiago, and is the best-known adventure town in Chile's Lake District. Just south of town rises the perpetually smoking, active Villarrica Volcano, and the surrounding area is packed with lakes, hot springs, araucaria (monkey-puzzle) forests and national parks, while Mapuche culture has left a deep mark here too. Summer (Dec–Mar) is mild, ideal for climbing the volcano, swimming in the lake, rafting and hiking; in winter (Jun–Sep) you can ski on the volcano and soak in hot springs; spring and autumn are quieter, with vivid fall foliage. The south is rainy, so pack a waterproof jacket in any season. Things to do fall into three groups: the volcano — a guided summit climb of Villarrica, visiting the volcanic caves, and winter skiing; lakes and forests — Pucón's Playa Grande, Lake Caburgua, Ojos del Caburgua and the El Claro waterfall, plus araucaria hikes in Huerquehue National Park and the El Cañi Sanctuary; and hot springs — Termas Geométricas, Los Pozones, Huife and more. The town of Villarrica across the lake and Licán Ray to the south make easy side trips. Getting there: Pucón has seasonal flights; year-round you can fly to Temuco and transfer by road (about 1.5 hours), or take an overnight bus from Santiago (about 10 hours). Tour agencies in town book all kinds of outdoor excursions. Plan on 3–5 days, and leave a spare day for the volcano climb in case of bad weather or changes in the alert level.

Top sights

• Villarrica Volcano – An active volcano about 2,847 metres high, with a summit crater that often emits smoke. On clear days you can look down into a lava lake. I…
• Huerquehue National Park – A national park where ancient araucaria forests meet high-altitude lakes. The Three Lakes Trail offers views from the heights over the volc…
• Termas Geométricas – A canyon retreat where a red wooden boardwalk links twenty stone hot-spring pools, designed by a Chilean architect with a striking, modern…
• Lake Villarrica & Playa Grande – A volcanic lake on the edge of the town of Pucón, with a black volcanic sand beach facing a smoking volcano. Swim, go boating or watch the…
• Ojos del Caburgua – Waterfalls and turquoise pools formed where groundwater from Lake Caburgua seeps out of rock walls. The short trail makes it an easy side t…
• Lake Caburgua & Playa Blanca – A crystal-clear lake just north of Lake Villarrica, with rare white-sand beaches and warm water. In summer it is the top swimming spot for…
• Salto El Claro – A waterfall about 90 m high near Pucón. A viewing platform looks down on the water plunging into the deep gorge, and it is an easy walk fro…
• Santuario El Cañi – Chile's first private nature reserve. A lookout at about 1,550 m above sea level offers views of several volcanoes and lakes at once.
• Termas Los Pozones – A natural hot spring with rock pools beside the Licán River. Soaking in the open-air pools under the stars at night makes it the most popul…
• Termas de Huife – A well-equipped hot spring resort in the Licán valley with open-air pools, indoor pools and spa treatments. It suits families.
• Trancura River Rafting – Pucón's classic rafting stretch, with Class III rapids suited to beginners and livelier Class IV water, all set against volcanic scenery.
• Villarrica Volcanic Caves – Lava-tube caves on the mountainside of Villarrica Volcano. Wear a helmet and go underground to see how cooled lava flows form cave structur…
• Ski Pucón – A ski area built on the slopes of an active volcano, with runs facing Lake Villarrica. In summer it is also the starting point for volcano…
• Villarrica Town & Lakefront – A town on the western shore of Lake Villarrica. The lakeside path faces the volcano, and the town has a Mapuche cultural museum and a craft…
• Licán Ray & Lake Calafquén – A lakeside town on the Seven Lakes route, with a beach on each side of its peninsula and views of Villarrica and Lanín volcanoes beyond.

Where to eat

• La Maga Parrilla Uruguaya – Pucón's best-known Uruguayan-style charcoal grill, famous for its huge sirloin steaks and consistently near the top of…
• Trawen – The name comes from the Mapuche word for 'gathering place.' Fusion dishes made with local ingredients are served from b…
• Ecole Vegetarian Restaurant – A long-running vegetarian restaurant attached to the eco-hostel of the same name. It uses seasonal local organic ingred…

Itineraries

• Lake District, Valdivia & Chiloé Island – A self-drive journey heading south from Temuco, linking volcanic lakes, a German-influenced river city, and an island o…