Pucón Things to Do

4 more images

Lago Caburgua and Environs

It's worth spending some time at Lago Cabargua for its tranquil and pleasant setting apart from the busy times during the Chilean Summer (January & February) where many Chileans pack its beaches including Playa Blanca and Playa Negra. As well as the lake there is the Ojos de Cabargua, a waterfall and not far from the lake and various waterfalls. You can catch either a mini-bus or collectivo from Pucon.

4 more images

You have a choice where you can horse-rider whether if it's in Parque Nacional Villarrica or Liucara Valley and riding past the Mapuche villages. There are various treks available. The company I rode with and I highly recommend is Horse Trekking Antilco situated 12 km East of Pucon and near Rio Liucura. They offer half and multi-day excursions in the area.

Because of the volcanic activity, there are a number of termas dotted around Pucon and surrounding areas. People bathe in the waters for its health giving properties for various ailments.

I visited two termas during my visit to Pucon (November 2008). The first one I visited were Termas Los Pozones. They're near the village Huife, 16km East of Pucon, and the termas simply consist of shallow pools dug out by the Rio Liucura and dammed up with stones. There's a three hour limit visiting the termas because they're open allnight and people have been using it as cheap accommodation.

Another terma I visited was Termas Quimey-Co where two swimming pools have been dug out besides the Rio Liucura. It's 25 km from Pucon and 10 km from Lago Caburgua. There's an indoor spa suite (additional charge) where you can relax in the jacuzzi and have an aqua massage.

The termas are very difficult to reach without a car so it's best either driving yourself or joining a tour to the termas or on a minibus that go to the nearest villages.

4 more images

You can either drive or carch a bus from Pucon to the park. It costs approximately 6000 CLP (November 2008) to visit. It's renowned for the araucana forests, mountains and lakes. Compared to Parque Nacional Villarrica it has a rich biodiversity including a wide range of flora and fauna and wildlife. You arrive at El Nido del Aguila, the main entrance to the park. You ascend through the forest via very steep terrain to the two miradors look Lago Trinquilco and across, in the distance, Volcan Villarrica. Then a further ascent leads to the other lakes: Chico, Toro and Verde. It takes around 3-4 hours to reach to the top. On the way down it's worth make a diversion to the Salto Trufulco and the Cascada Nido de Aguila. Serious hikers can do multi day circular walks around the national park where there are termas and lodging available.

4 more images

People of Pucon are constantly under the threat of their neighbouring volcano. It's also their pride and the most photographed sight in the region. In the central information center there is a volcano indicator with different colours showing the level of danger of explosion. Locals say they are more anxious when it stops ..smoking, as a constant amount of gases come out of its crater. When it stops it's logical, they say, that the pressure in the interior becomes dangerous.
The climb is not easy at all especially if the weather is too cold or too windy. One third is part of a glacier and at some parts the climb is vertical.
Click on the photo -->

1 more image

Having lost all hopes that I could see everything of interest in Pucon area and having little time left I decided to get some local transport and go through some villages in the neighbourhood. Lican Ray is beautifully located on lake Calafquen offering two good beaches with very nice views and a lot of forested area around. Its name means "flower of rock" and has about 3,000 people. It's 30 kms from Villarica and 50 from Pucon. So first I went to Villarica and got on a bus for Lican Ray. After having got enough of it I got on another bus going along the lake side to Coñaripe . This is much smaller more rustic and also on the same lake. It has a nice beach and a popular thermal springs hotel. It's 60 kms from Villarica.
Wonderful day! I am sure I have left a lot of beauty unseen in this area but... time is never enough !!!

Just 17 kms from Pucon there lies a magnificent scenery of roaring cascades coming through underground paths from Lake Caburgua. They are gathering in the middle of the lush forest through several cascades and form little sparkling pools and transparent streams. A lot of local people and tourists come here to take a bath, walk in the forest or lay under the trees just breathing the fresh air !!!
They told me that the quantity of water has a dramatic change depending on the season. So it's better in their winter time but it's not bad in the summer, too, as you can camp in the area and be part of it. A few kilometers of walk can take you to beautiful cascades "Los Saltos de Bellavista" and "Los Copihues". If you walk more you come to "La Puntilla", where two rivers meet forming wonderful small islands. Later there are Salto Carhuello and Salto de Carileufu and finally you come to a hostel and tea house. Enjoy it !!

4 more images

Park Huerquehue is a piece of paradise! A piece of beautiful native forest with abrupt hills, shimmering lakes and lagoons, streams and gorges, and a lot of springs. Near the entrance there is a camping site in a beautiful location on the lake side. The path is well maintained but quite strenuous as it goes higher. Nevertheless I have seen even children going up. Wonderful views are offered in reward all along the way!! It normally takes about 5-6 hours. If you get there by the 8.00 bus you will take 3 hours to get to Lagoon Verde, two hours to rest, enjoy the view or take a bath in the crystal clear lake water and about 2 hours to walk down in time for the afternoon bus to Pucon. There is an administration office several meters from the entrance where you can get any information. If you are not certain about the correct way ask the few locals living in the park. There are other paths which branch off the central path leading to cascades and lagoons.
Use a walking stick . It's much easier and there are several already made left on the ground by the entrance.