Activities
Pucón is situated at the foot of one of Chile's most active volcanos, the majestic and smoking Volcano Villarrica, and is surrounded by an unique and beautiful nature: Mountains and volcanos, big lakes in the plain and cristall clear lagoons in the Andes, whitewater rivers, dense native forests with Monkey Puzzle Trees (Araucarias), national parks and various hot springs. You can enjoy this beautiful landscape in many different ways and at any time of the year.
But Pucón is not only the capital of outdoor tourism, the town offers a great variety of restaurants, bars, coffee houses and shops as well as a casino and a nice beach just at the end of the city center.
Climbing Volcano Villarrica
Climbing the Volcano Villarrica is without any doubt an unique and unforgetable adventure! You don't need any mountaineering experience to get to the crater, but a good physical condition. Except if you are a certified mountain guide, you have to take a tour with a local agency to climb the volcano. The agency provides mountain guides, transport, equipment like crampons, boots, ice pick, gloves and cloths. You have to take along sun g lasses, sun screen, warm cloths and a lunchbox with sufficient water.
The excursion starts normally at 7 a.m. at the agency, from where you drive to the foot of the volcano. Depending on the physical condition of the group, it takes around 4 - 6h to get to the crater and another 1 - 3h to hike down. But all the suffering is worth it: At the top of the volcano, you get rewarded with a fantastic panoramic view over several volcanos, lakes and to the Pacific Ocean and Argentina. From the edge of the crater, you can even glance into the crater and, if you are lucky, see the boiling lava!
Rafting
River Trancura - that's where the rafting happens. Choose between the adrenaline whitewater adventure Trancura alto (category IV) or the familiy friendly raft Trancura bajo (category III). You can enjoy rafting during the entire year even in winter.
Horseback Trekking
What about getting to know Pucón and its surrounding on a horse back? There are diffrent horse trekkings from a couple of hours to trips over several days.
Hot springs
Pucón is famous for its many hot springs each of them with its particular character. Whether you like it rustic or sophisticated, during daytime or by night, with massage and drinks or just simple in middle of the nature. Pucón has got it all, just pick the one that best suites you.
Trekking in the National Park Huerquehue and the Sanctuary El Cañi
The National Park Huerquehue offers several hikes, but the most famous one is the one to an elevated plain with several beautiful, cristall clear mountain lagoons in the middle of native forest. Another option is to hike in the less visited Sanctuary El Cañi. In both parks you can see Monkey Puzzle Trees (Araucarias) and enjoy nice views of the surrounding volcanos. There are public buses who transport you to and from the starting / ending point of this whole day excursion.
Fishing
The best spots for fishing are the river Liucura, the upper Trancura and the lakes and lagoons up in the Andes. The fishing season lasts from the second week of November till the second week of May. Make sure you have a valid fishing permit, which you can buy at the City Hall of Pucón or SERNAPESCA.
Mountain biking to the Ojos del Caburgua and Caburgua Lake
This bike round trip of 40km - 50km takes you along the Trancura and Liucura River, over a hanging bridge and through the lush nature to the waterfall Ojos del Caburgua and to the Lake Caburgua, offering great views of the Volcano Villarrica, Volcano Quetrupillán and Volcano Lanin. Take a lunchbox with enough water with you.
Canopy
Canopy is fun and a rush of adrenaline. The idea is to slide in the top of the trees from one platform to another, secured with a harness. This activitiy is superivsed by a professional guide and suitable for the whole familiy.
Ski Center Villarrica - Pucón
The Ski Center Villarrica - Pucón has for sure the most spectacular view of all the Chilean ski centers. You can see the Lake Villarrica and Calafquén, the volcanoes Llaima, Sierra Nevada and Lonquimay. The ski center is open from the last weekend of June to the first weekend of October and counts 7 ski lifts and 20 slopes. You can rent equipment in town and if you don't have a car, you can book a transfer with an agency.
Sled trips with huskies (Mushing)
Cruising through the snowy landscape right at the foot of the Volcano Villarrica on a sled driven by yourself and pulled by 4-6 Siberian huskies is an incredbile beautiful experience. Try it!
You can also realize this activity during the summer time, but on a sled with wheels.
Mapuche culture
The region of Pucón has a lively Mapuche culture. To know more about these proud people, visit the Cultural Center of Curarrehue and the Mapuche Museum in downtown Pucón. During the summer, the community of Quelhue serves typical food and shows Mapuche handycrafts.
