Things to do in Pucón
-
A
Parque Nacional Huerquehue
A gem of the area, Parque Nacional Huerquehue protects 12,500 hectares (30,888 acres) of rivers and waterfalls, alpine lakes and araucaria forests. It's easily accessible and has an array of trails. Conaf sells decent trail maps at the entrance, where there's a Centro de Educación e Intepretación Ambiental (park information office).
The Los Lagos trail (one way 3-4hr; 9km/5.5mi) switchbacks through dense lenga forests with rushing waterfalls, then enters solid stands of araucaria surrounding a cluster of pristine and placid lakes.
Most hikers turn back at Lago Verde and Laguna el Toro, the largest of the cluster, but continuing on the northern loop to Lago Los Patos and…
reviewed
-
La Maga
There is a parrilla for every budget on Fresia between Gerónimo de Alderete and the plaza, but this Uruguayan steakhouse stands out for its bife de chorizo and house-cut fries. It’s not the cheapest, but there’s a consensus it’s the best with bang-on service to boot.
reviewed
-
B
Trawen
Like everywhere else in town, there’s an outfitter element to this innovative and wonderfully casual deli that churns out some of Pucón’s most interesting flavor combinations: ravioli with Roquefort and roasted apples, Antarctic krill empanadas. It’s kind of a writer hangout, too.
reviewed
-
C
Parque Nacional Villarrica
This national park is one of the most popular in the country because of its glorious mix of volcanoes and lakes. Its proximity to Pucón makes Villarrica accessible for everyone - from bus trippers to climbers, skiers and hardcore hikers. The park's highlights are the three volcanoes: Villarrica, Quetrupillán and Lanín.
The park's 60,000 hectares (148,263 acres) are officially divided into three sections called Rucapillán, Quetrupillán and Puesco, and are crisscrossed with an array of hikes from quick day jaunts to long multi-day traverses.
The hike up to the smoking, sometimes lava-spitting crater of Volcán Villarrica is a popular full-day excursion, leaving Pucón ear…
reviewed
-
Río Liucura Valley
This richly verdant valley offers myriad termas (hot springs), El Cañi nature sanctuary and views of the silver-ribbon Río Liucura. El Cañi is proof that citizens can affect conservation of old-growth forests. When logging threatened the area in 1991, Fundación Lahuen purchased land to develop a park for education and to protect 400 hectares (988 acres) of araucaria forest.
A hiking trail (9km (5.5mi); 3hr) ascends the steep terrain - the first 3km (1.8mi) is very steep - of lenga and araucaria to arrive at Laguna Negra.
On clear days, the lookout - another 40 minutes - allows for spectacular views of the area's volcanoes. In summer, when the trail is easier to find, …
reviewed
-
Mountain Biking
Mountain bikes can be rented all over town. Some of the small unnamed bike shops along the side streets (Arauco for example) have just as good bikes and better prices than the larger agencies on Av O'Higgins. Daily rental prices are negotiable and a brand new bike with full suspension will set you back a bit more than an older bike will.
The most popular route is the Ojos de Caburgua Loop. Take the turnoff to the airfield about 4km east of town and across Río Trancura. (Extensions off this route include the Lago Caburga to Río Liucura Loop and the full Río Trancura Loop.) Two other popular trails that are close to town are Correntoso and Alto Palguín Chinay (to the Palguí…
reviewed
-
Rafting & Kayaking
Pucón is known for both its river sports and the quality of the rafting/kayaking infrastructure. Most of the larger agencies run rafting trips. The rivers near Pucón and their corresponding rapids classifications are: the Lower Trancura (III), the Upper Trancura (IV), Liucura (II-III), The Puesco Run (V) and Maichín (IV-V). When negotiating a rafting or kayaking trip, recognize that stated trip durations often include transportation, not just the time spent on the water.
Prices vary depending on the season, the number of people per raft/kayaking trip, the company and level of challenge. Many of the rivers are swollen in the winter and closed for sports, although it is …
reviewed
-
D
Outdoor Experience
This small, highly recommended agency may not have the fancy vehicles and other ornaments of some of the large commercial operators, but it has an unparallel level of expertise and experience. It puts a lot more thought and personal touch into its excursions than the competition.
If you are motivated to not only get to the top of Volcán Villarrica or hike through El Cañi reserve, but to learn something about mountaineering, local history and geography in the process, this is your top choice in Pucón.
reviewed
-
Cassís
This sleek café is swamped for breakfast and onces (afternoon tea), but it also does multigrain sandwiches, chocolate fondue, pizza, an endless array of coffees and an entirely too tempting cornucopia of deserts (it’s also a chocolatería). If you don’t eat here, stop by for the decadent Crepe Cassìs, a milk caramel crepe buried under scoops of chocolate and dulce de leche ice cream and a caramel brownie.
reviewed
-
E
El Bosque
This chic bar-restaurant is Pucón’s most stylish address for a cocktail. There’s a sultry vibe, both in its design (hanging cylindrical rust-hued luminaries, artsy B&W volcano photos) and the music (Faithless, Massive Attack – you get the idea). Mixed drinks easily approach CH$5000 here, but when have you ever known cool to come cheap?
reviewed
Advertisement
-
F
Mama’s & Tapas
Known simply as ‘Mama’s,’ this is the most popular place to go out in Pucón. The bar has an impressive lineup of draft beers, including Kunstmann Bock, which fuels an interesting dilemma when two drunks try to navigate the swiveling bathroom door at the same time. The Mexican food here is worth a try and is discounted 30% before 9pm.
reviewed
-
Viva Perú
Start with the yuquitos (fried mandioca) and move on to the falling-off-the-bone, cilantro-heavy lamb stew at this smart Peruvian that serves slushy pisco sours made with Peruvian pisco. Chilenos can’t handle the aji rocoto salsa served here, but it should satiate your spice-neglected taste buds.
reviewed
-
G
Krater
If you poke around Pucón you can find some quality dive bars, but most cater to inebriated (and sometimes belligerent) Chilean truck drivers. If you are feeling a little less brave, the volcanic-themed Krater is a divey spot that welcomes inebriated (and rarely belligerent) international visitors.
reviewed
-
H
Indiana
Indiana (Jones, not the state) may be the Chilean version of a Daytona Beach nightclub. Where else can you get drunk and dance to Snoop Dogg until dawn with a gaggle of vacationing students? It's dingy and loud and guarantees to party hard. The drinks keep flowing and the DJ keeps it going late.
reviewed
-
I
Chef Pato
A tasty spin on standard Chilean food, plus it has decent pizzas and pastas. Chef Pato's is a reliable, affordable choice and is open later than other restaurants. The chicken in mushroom sauce is worth a try and the dense homemade bread and salsas are memorable.
reviewed
-
J
Enjoy Tour
Enjoy Tour has unmatched resources (it's owned by the same company as the casino). It is stacked head to toe with brand new Salomon gear and is able to organize all sorts of excursions with its fleet of new minibuses and attentive office staff.
reviewed
-
Entre 3
If you want to see if your guide is plastered the night before he takes you up the volcano, grab a pitcher of suds here. It’s the divier choice, but its new rooftop patio nets views with brews not otherwise available on Av O’Higgins.
reviewed
-
Antilco
This outfitter runs half- to six-day horse treks in Liucura Valley, Parque Nacional Huerquehue and Mapuche reservations, and half-day and two-day kayaking trips, designed for both beginners and experts, with English-speaking guides.
reviewed
-
Huepilmalal Centro Ecuestre
This reputable equestrian center uses pure Chilean bred caballos (horses) for its half-day to multiday treks in the Cãni cordillera. It’s run by a charming couple with over 40 years experience in Europe and South America.
reviewed
-
Latitude 39°
The California transplant owners here are filling a gringo niche – juicy American-style burgers, fat breakfast burritos, veggie tacos, BLTs, chili – that should stay your gastronomic homesickness for another day.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Arabian Café
It’s not Jerusalem but considering the distance, you’ll be surprised at the job they do here with falafel and hummus at this legit Arab restaurant that considers lomo a lo pobre an ‘alternative dish.’
reviewed
-
Kayak Pucón
This well-regarded kayak operator with a clever slogan (‘Run the Shit’) offers a three-day kayak tour that will get you on five sections of river in the area, as well as a kayak school and longer expeditions.
reviewed
-
Enjoy Pucón
Pucón’s sleek new US$12.5 million casino boasts 488 hi-tech slots and a swanky restaurant and bar, the latter, called Üin, means ‘fire’ in Mapudungun but is pronounced ‘Win.’ Get it?
reviewed
-
L
La Marmita de Pericles
For a little alpine flavor stop in and feast on fondues, crepes and the usual assortment of steak and seafood. It is all well prepared and served in an upbeat, informal environment.
reviewed
-
Pizza Cala
The best pizza in town is spit from a massive 1300-brick oven by an Argentine-American pizzamaker who grows his own fresh basil. In winter, it’s the only warm restaurant in town.
reviewed
