Gran Hotel Pucón, with the volcano Villarrica in the backgroundGran Hotel Pucón, with the volcano Villarrica in the background
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Granhotelpucon.JPG
Author: Divulgação Enjoy Casino & Resort
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Pucón is a small tourist town in southern Chile. It is in the Province of Cautín in Araucanía Region, about 780 km to the south of Santiago. The town is located beside a lake and a volcano. Due to its pleasant weather, it has become a popular destination for domestic tourists offering a variety of adventure and recreational activities.

Among the activities available at Pucón include horse riding, whitewater rafting, skiing, water skiing, kayaking and mountain trekking. The availability of natural hot springs in the area makes Pucón a destination for therapeutic holidays. Your choice in this town ranges from the basic rustic springs to luxurious spas.

Pucón was founded in 1883 after the Chilean government subdued the natives of Araucanín. In its early years it served as a military installation to keep peace in the region.

Pier on Lake Caburgua, PucónPier on Lake Caburgua, Pucón
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Muelle_en_Lago_Caburgua.jpg
Author: Dario Alpern
photo licensing

Recreational tourism in Pucón began in the 1920's, at a time when tourism itself was only getting started in Chile as a leisure activity. The opening of the Grand Hotel Pucón helps place the town on the tourist map, leading to improvement in tourist infrastructure.

Visiting Pucón

You can reach Pucón by taking an overnight bus from Santiago. Summer is the best time to visit, but it is also the most crowded, so if you are going during that season, you should book your bus ticket well in advance.

Waterfalls of Ojos del Caburgua, PucónWaterfalls of Ojos del Caburgua, Pucón
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ojos_del_Caburgua_%283_cascadas%29.jpg
Author: Dario Alpern
photo licensing

Places of Interest in Pucón

  1. Huerquehue National Park
    National Park in the Araucanía Region covering 125 sq km with its millenarian forests.

  2. La Poza
    Beach at Lago Villarrica where boat rides are available.

  3. Lago Villarrica
    Picturesque lake on which Pucón is located.

  4. Lanín
    Cone-shaped stratovolcano standing at 3,747 m (12,293 ft).

  5. Monasterio Santa Clara
    A functioning monastery opened to the public.

  6. Museo Mapuche
    Museum exhibiting the pre-colonial artifacts and 19th century Mapuche silverware.

  7. Playa Grande
    The main beach in Pucón, surrounded by forested mountains.

  8. Quetrupillán
    Stratovolcano in the Araucanía Region, standing at 2,360 m (7,743 ft).

  9. Termas de Huife
    Upscale hot spring area on the banks of the Río Liucura.

  10. Termas Los Pozones
    Basic hot spring on the forested banks of Río Liucura.

  11. Villarrica National Park
    National park covering 630 sq km containing three volcanoes.

  12. Volcán Villarrica
    Active volcano at the southern shore of of Lago Villarrica.

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Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.

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