Town centre
Agencies, restaurantsAround Avenida O'Higgins, with tour agencies, bars and most hostels.
Town guide
Things to do in Pucón
An adventure town on a lake beneath a smoking volcano, with hot springs, forests, rivers and lakes all around. Chile's outdoor playground, in summer and winter.
16
Hostels in the city
8.9
Average, from 3,984 reviews
2,847m
Villarrica volcano
4–5
Days to do it properly
Lakes, hot springs and a volcano
Pucón sits on the eastern shore of Lake Villarrica in the Araucanía region, the heart of Mapuche territory, with the near-perfect cone of the Villarrica volcano rising behind it. Villarrica is one of the most active volcanoes in South America, often with a plume of smoke and, at times, a glowing lava lake in its crater.
The town is built for the outdoors. In summer, there is hiking in the national parks, rafting on the Trancura river, kayaking on the lakes, ziplining and cycling, and in winter, skiing on the volcano's slopes. After a day out, the region's natural hot springs, some of them in forest gorges, are the perfect way to recover.
Give Pucón four or five days. The town gets very busy in January and February, when Chileans arrive for their summer holidays, and prices rise. Spring and autumn are calmer and still beautiful, with autumn colours from late March.
Where to base yourself
Pucón is compact. Stay near the main street, Avenida O'Higgins, for tour agencies and restaurants, or near the lakeshore for the beach.
Lakeshore
Beach, volcano viewsNear Playa Grande and La Poza on Lake Villarrica.
Road to Caburgua
Nature, quietCabins and hostels in the countryside north-east of town.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Pucón
Climbing Villarrica, a full-day guided ascent to the crater rim at 2,847 metres with crampons and ice axes, is the town's famous adventure. It depends entirely on the volcano's activity and the weather: ascents can be restricted or suspended when the alert level rises, and the alert was raised to yellow in September 2026, so check with agencies when you arrive and treat it as a bonus rather than the plan.
Huerquehue National Park, around 35km away, has one of the best day hikes in the region, the Los Lagos trail, climbing through ancient forest to a series of mountain lakes. The Ojos del Caburgua are turquoise pools fed by waterfalls, and the Termas Geométricas, a series of hot pools linked by red boardwalks in a forest gorge, are the most famous of the many hot springs nearby.
Rafting on the Trancura river, from gentle to wild, kayaking on the lake, ziplining through the forest and horse riding are other options. In winter, the Pucón ski centre on the volcano's slopes has views over the lakes.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The black-sand beach on Lake Villarrica, Playa Grande, is free and busy in summer, with views of the volcano. La Poza, the small bay next to it, is good for watching the sunset.
Walking around town and along the lake costs nothing, and on clear nights you may see the glow of the volcano's crater.
Some trails and viewpoints near town are free, and the Mapuche craft markets are free to browse.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Pucón's restaurants serve everything from pizza to traditional southern Chilean food. Try cazuela, a hearty stew, and dishes with merkén, the smoky Mapuche chilli spice, along with trout from the lakes and rivers.
The region's German heritage shows in kuchen, fruit cakes served with afternoon coffee, and in the craft beer brewed locally. Mapuche cooking, with dishes like sopaipillas and catuto (wheat bread), can be found in some restaurants and on community tours.
Supermarkets are good for self-catering, and many hostels have kitchens.
Nightlife
Going out
Pucón has a lively summer nightlife, with bars and pubs on and around Avenida O'Higgins full of travellers and Chilean holidaymakers, and a couple of clubs that go late in January and February.
Outside summer, evenings are more relaxed: craft beer, live music at weekends and hostel bars.
If you are climbing the volcano or rafting the next day, go easy, as tours start early.
Getting around
Getting around
The town is walkable, and tour agencies provide transport to activities. Local buses run to Huerquehue, Caburgua and nearby towns, and car hire is useful for exploring the lakes and hot springs.
Overnight buses from Santiago take around ten hours. The nearest main airport is in Temuco, around an hour and a half away, with buses and transfers to Pucón; seasonal flights also use the small airport near town.
Buses connect Pucón with Puerto Varas and the Lake District to the south, and across the Andes to San Martín de los Andes in Argentina.
Costs
What Pucón costs
Pucón is moderately expensive, with prices rising sharply in January and February. Dorm beds run from around €12 to €22.
Adventure activities are the main cost: the volcano climb, when it runs, is the most expensive, followed by rafting and canyoning. Hot springs charge entry, with the Termas Geométricas among the pricier ones.
Cards are widely accepted. Visiting outside the summer peak makes everything cheaper.
Safety
Safety and scams
Pucón is a safe town. The risks are outdoors.
Villarrica is an active volcano. Follow official alerts and agency advice, and only climb with a certified guide when ascents are permitted. Pucón has evacuation routes, signposted around town, in case of an eruption; note them when you arrive.
Rivers can be cold and fast, so raft only with reputable operators, and on hikes carry water and layers, as weather changes quickly. In an emergency, call 133 for police or 131 for an ambulance.
Worth leaving town for
Lakes, forests and hot springs in every direction.
Villarrica National Park
The volcano's slopes, ski area and lava caves.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Races, festivals and summer gatherings.
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Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Pucón, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Lucky's Hostel
Dorms from €15 a night
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Hostal Treile
Dorms from €9 a night
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Hostal Emalafquen
Rooms from €0 a night
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Espacio Ecole
Rooms from €22 a night
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Soley Hostel
Dorms from €14 a night
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Hostal Graciela
Rooms from €23 a night
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Willhouse
Dorms from €11 a night
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Hostal Palguin
Dorms from €17 a night
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Hostel Raiz
Dorms from €12 a night
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Hostel French Andes
Rooms from €11 a night
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Hotel Vientos del Sur
Rooms from €33 a night
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Hostel Raiz Del Pillan
Rooms from €13 a night
See dates and book
When to go
December to March is summer, the best for hiking and lakes, busiest in January and February. Autumn brings colour from late March; winter brings snow and skiing.
Jan
Peak summer, busy
Feb
Peak summer
Mar
Calmer, autumn begins
Apr
Autumn colours, rain
May
Rainy, quiet
Jun
Winter, ski season
Jul
Skiing, winter holidays
Aug
Snow and rain
Sep
Spring begins
Oct
Spring, quieter
Nov
A good month
Dec
Summer begins
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. The region is rainy outside summer.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, outside the January and February peak.
Treat these as a guide. Adventure activities cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Pucón questions
The ones we get asked most.
Can I climb the Villarrica volcano?
Only with a certified guide and when authorities permit it. Ascents can be restricted or suspended when the alert level rises, and it was raised to yellow in September 2026, so check with agencies when you arrive.
How do I get to Pucón?
By overnight bus from Santiago, around ten hours, or fly to Temuco and take a bus of around an hour and a half.
How many days do you need in Pucón?
Four or five: a hike in Huerquehue, hot springs, rafting and, if open, the volcano.
Which hot springs are best?
The Termas Geométricas, with hot pools linked by red boardwalks in a forest gorge, are the most famous. There are many cheaper options too.
When is the best time to visit Pucón?
December to March for summer activities, though January and February are busiest. Autumn is beautiful and quieter.
Is Pucón expensive?
Moderately, with prices rising in summer. Adventure activities are the main cost.
Is Pucón safe with an active volcano?
Yes. The volcano is closely monitored, and the town has signposted evacuation routes. Follow official alerts.
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