Pucón: Your Complete Guide to the Chilean Gateway to Patagonia
Pucón is a town nestled at the foot of the Andes, and in fact, its name actually means "entrance to the mountain range." When you first arrive in this town, bordered by a lake and watched over by a volcano, you instantly feel the sheer beauty and power of nature in this region.
Pucón: Your Complete Guide to the Chilean Gateway to Patagonia
We arrived directly from Bariloche in Pucón by bus, which took us about 9 hours including the bus transfers (Bariloche -> Osorno, then Osorno -> Pucón) and the border crossing.
Pucón is a town nestled right at the foot of the Andes – in fact, its name literally means "gate to the mountain range." When you first arrive in this town, tucked between a beautiful lake and a towering volcano, you instantly feel the sheer beauty and power of nature in this region.
Where to stay in Pucón?
We stayed at the best hostel in town (in our opinion), which was super reasonably priced and had a massive perk location-wise: right on the beach! Plus, the beds were incredibly comfy, and the place was clean and well-equipped.
An absolute 5/5 for Soley Hostal: https://www.instagram.com/soleyhostels/
Santiago
CHILE
Pucon
The activities we absolutely loved in Pucón
Many of the best things to do are actually outside the city itself—but don't worry, right after this section, you'll find a complete guide on how to get around like a local!
Enjoy the lake and its beaches!
Even though the ocean doesn't reach all the way to Pucón, water lovers won't be disappointed. The town sits right on the shores of the massive Lake Mallalafquén, today known as Lake Villarrica. Spanning 173 square kilometers with pleasantly warm fresh water, it's the perfect spot to take a dip, soak up some sun, or try out some water sports.
Get to know the city like a local by booking a Free Walking Tour.
The town has a rich history, and understanding how it got its European ski resort-style vibe is a big part of the journey.
You can find tours on this site: https://www.freetour.com/pucon
The waterfalls in Pucon
The area around Pucon is packed with gorgeous waterfalls:
Salto El Claro: This 90-meter drop is located just 8.5 km from downtown Pucón. In our opinion, it's one of the most beautiful in the region, tucked away in lush vegetation.
Getting there: About 15 minutes by car, a 1.5 to 2-hour walk from Pucón, or a 20-minute bus ride followed by a 40-minute walk.
Admission: Around 3,000 CLP.
Ojos del Caburgua: These are turquoise-blue water pools fed by both underground and surface waterfalls. It's a highly popular spot, famous for its walking trails and the unique, vibrant color of the Ojos.
Getting there: About 25 km from Pucón. You can take a bus heading towards Caburgua, get off at the "El Cristo" sector, and walk for about 2 km.
Entry fee: 2 000 CLP.
Salto del León: A spectacular 95-meter-high waterfall nestled in the Palguín Alto sector. The site also features hot tubs ("tinajas") and an on-site restaurant.
Getting there: About 30 km from Pucón
Entry fee: Around 4 000 CLP
Los Tres Saltos: Three consecutive waterfalls located along the road to Huife, complete with picnic areas, a restaurant, and even a swimming pool (just in case splashing under the waterfalls wasn't quite enough!).
Getting there: About 26 km from Pucón
Entry fee: Around 3 000 CLP
Setting out to climb the Villarrica Volcano
Rukapillan volcano, now known as Villarrica, is the most active in Latin America, with its summit reaching 2,850 meters. Climbing it is totally doable, but it is definitely not something you can just wing!
For this trek, you must always be accompanied by a guide. We booked ours through the agency Terra Volcano: https://terravolcano.com/. They take care of the transport, gear, and they even set you up with a nice little snack after the climb!
Typically, they'll pick you up from your hostel around 5:30 AM to get you geared up at the agency, and the climb kicks off around 7:00 AM. On average, the ascent takes about 4 hours, and it's pretty much all uphill on ground that can be slippery or rocky—it's definitely a demanding hike. But once you reach the summit, standing right at the edge of the smoking crater, the view is absolutely worth it; it's honestly one of the most beautiful sights we've ever experienced in Chili or Patagonia.
Another great reward for making the climb is the slide back down on a sled! Yes, you read that right, sledding down! What a blast after all that hard work. Depending on the season, you can slide down some or even all of the way.
Just a heads-up: this trek is best done between December and April to make sure you get good weather conditions.
The ziplines
By car or taxi, you can head over to the La China waterfall zip-lining course. This course is made up entirely of zip lines—easily the best part of any treetop adventure!
Even better, you'll zip right over the waterfall a few times.
Price: Entry cost us 30.000 $ (around 30€) in January 2026.
Unwind and soak in the thermal baths
Pucon is famous for its hot springs, so you won’t run out of options to relax and unwind.
Thermes Geométricas: These are the most popular hot springs around Pucon. They feature 22 pools (some reaching up to 80 degrees) connected by iconic red wooden footpaths winding through lush, green nature. After soaking in the warm—or rather, very hot—waters, you can cool off with a refreshing rinse under a freezing waterfall!
The only downside is that you will definitely need a car to get there, as they are located just under a 2-hour drive from Pucon.
Horaires: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 7 pm - Saturday, Sunday, and school holidays: 9 am to 9 pm
Tarifs: from 40.000 to 48.000 $ (around €40 to €48) as of January 2026
Parque Termal Botánico: Just 14 km from the center, this modern park combines wellness with a beautiful botanical garden. It features 13 hot springs (ranging from 32°C to 42°C) in a beautifully kept setting.
Hours: Monday to Sunday from 11am to 7pm
Rates: from $40,000 (around €40) as of January 2026
Hotel y Termas Huife: Located 33 km from Pucón, this spot offers a complete experience with a hotel, spa, and restaurant. The property sits right by the Liucura River, allowing you to easily dip between the hot thermal waters and the cool, refreshing river. Day visitors are welcome to use the pools and dine at the restaurant even if they aren't staying overnight.
Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9am to 9pm
Rates: from $40,000 (around €40) as of January 2026
