Nestled in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, Pucon Chile is a top resort area for tourists seeking a vacation location with mild summer temperatures for comfortable outdoor activities and cold winters to provide the perfect snow conditions for skiing. With the town's location in the southern Araucania region a major factor, travelers booking a vacation package to Chile that includes travel to Pucon, whether summer or winter, are assured of an outstanding trip. Pucon Chile is easily accessible by vehicle via the PanAmerican route or by air via the Temuco or Santiago airports.

One of the outstanding features for tourists planning a Pucon travel itinerary is the array of activities available on the Villarrica volcano. The active volcano is located within the Villarricca National Park and remains in the top ten of the most active volcanoes in the world. In the summer, Pucon tours are available for climbers to scale Villarrica up to the crater's edge, more than 9,000 feet above sea level, and take in panoramic views of the surrounding regions, as well as of the other volcanoes in the area. In the winter, tourists also take advantage of the snow-covered peaks of Villarrica for downhill skiing and snowboarding; in the past, Pucon has been the location for international competitions.

Several Pucon tours available year-round include a journey through the caves created by the eruptions of Villarrica throughout history. The one-hour tour, conducted by an expert guide, takes place within the well-lit enclosure of the volcanic caverns. Other outdoor tours are also available; another one that adventure-seekers with plans to travel to Pucon might enjoy is a five-hour tour that includes a visit to the Ojos del Caburga waterfalls fed by Caburga Lake, as well as a relaxing dip in the warm thermal pools at Huife hot springs, where guests receive a relaxing massage at the spa.

Chile Map

Pucon travel around the city itself shows off the Playa Grande beach, which is made up entirely of volcanic sand; local artisans creating handcrafted items for sale along the main avenue; the scenic Trancura River and rapids; and the hanging bridge with views of the three volcanoes, Villarrica, Lanin, and Quetrupillan, in the distance.

Summer visits to Pucon Chile mean ideal temperatures and warm waters perfect for boating, fishing, parasailing, swimming, rafting, and sea kayaking. For land adventures, vacationers can tour archeological sites, explore caves, observe wildlife at Villarrica and Huerquehue National Parks, play golf, and hike to waterfalls and hot springs. A superior golf course in Pucon is La Peninsula Golf Club, where you can play a round of nine or eighteen holes.

Travel to Pucon during the winter seasons is definitely for those interested in winter sports that include snowboarding, skiing, and mountain climbing. Several resorts in the region include Valle Nevado, El Colorado, Chillan, Ski Pucon, and El Portillo where skiing and snowboarding classes for novices. Resorts also have available for rent any equipment, ski clothing, or gear that you might need. When renting a vehicle for Pucon travel to resort areas in winter, the use of snow tires to navigate the area may be required.

Visitors should have little trouble finding places to stay, as there are plenty of hotels in Pucon available. The city is relatively easy to reach, whether by rental car or by public transportation, such as bus, and for those who are interested in including other parts of central Chile on their vacation itinerary, the cities of Puerto Montt and Valdivia are a relatively easy journey away.