Hotel Accommodation, Pucon, Chile Lake Region

Introduction

Considering that the Chilean Lake Region is so outstandingly beautiful it should be no surprise that people want to come and visit this area. However, the most popular destination in the Lake Region is Pucon, which is located at the south-eastern end of Lake Villarrica.

Both in and around Pucon village there are numerous accommodation options to suit all tastes and requirements. The vast majority are, however, styled as self-catering cabins, typically of wooden construction with kitchenettes, bedrooms and usually a living room.

Unfortunately, the quality of these units varies considerably from the simple, basic and, frankly, not particularly good, to the more professional, comfortable, and better quality.

Locations and views also vary considerably, and this is one area where we come into play by checking out what the options are like in reality.

In addition, there are numerous hotels, some perfectly acceptable, and others not so.

ExperienceChile.Org Inspections

In order to know what is what, we spend considerable time, money, and energy, in visiting as many accommodation options as humanly possible specifically with the aim to check up on what the quality of accommodation, and services is, and where these places are located.

Remember, a picture does NOT give you the whole story.

Therefore, we only work with selected accommodation partners. These are companies and properties that we know we can trust and that offer good accommodation, at good level, in nice places, and such properties are shown below.

In order to better locate the type of property that you want we have also categorised them under our own definitions.

Pucon Hotel Partners

We will summarise below our hotel partners. Why do we have accommodation partners? The basic reality is that we, like you, want to know which hotels are “decent”, and that they offer comfortable accommodation in terms of rooms and facilities, and we prefer to work with those hotels that “pass our test”.

NOTE: Remember that we realise that you may well have a particular hotel, or lodge, that is not shown in our listings. If this is the case, PLEASE tell us what, and where this hotel is, and we will include it in your itinerary.

Premium/Luxury Lodge

These are hotels that merit the distinguished classification of being above those that are not in the premium category. These hotels offer better, overall services, well furnished and decorated rooms, courteous staff – all the ingredients that combine to form the “better than the rest” position.

All Pucon Premium Lodges
Pucon Hotel Vira Vira Featured Image Experience Chile
SPECIAL OFFER
Hotel Vira Vira, Pucon

Good Level Hotels

The hotels we have put into the "good level" category are those hotels that do not merit being in the "top level", but are not at the lowest level either, hence "mid level". Usually, these hotels are perfectly good for a couple of nights and offer "practical" accommodation and facilities. If you are looking for only a "place to stay" and nothing more than a mid-level hotel will suffice.

All Pucon Good Level Hotels

Approved Hotels

During our inspections we ask the hotel owners if we can stay overnight at the hotel. We ask this because staying overnight is vastly different to just popping in with a quick visit. We like to know what the noise pollution is, what the breakfasts are like, how comfy the beds are, what the staff are like.

Therefore, if you see “inspected & approved” we are saying that we feel the hotel is perfectly good. If it does not have “approved” it means we have not stayed overnight or we feel it is not up to the level that our clients will require.

Approved By Experience Chile

Inspected Hotels

The reason we have a selected number of hotels that we choose to work with is because we regularly visit the hotels in Puerto Natales in order to know what they are really like. We cannot rely on the hundreds of often “suspect” reviews published in the internet. Therefore, we try to promote the better hotels that we know will make your trip more enjoyable. However, if you see that we have “inspected” a particular hotel, this does NOT mean that we recommend it necessarily. The ones we recommend are “approved”.

Inspected By Experience Chile

Other Hotels

We also include in the accommodation section information on hotels that are not, perhaps, that great, and in some cases maybe they are a little “tired”, but clients will often ask for such hotels because the cost is lower or because they are under the mistaken belief that they are better than they are. We have not said derogatory things about these hotels, but if you see a lack of enthusiasm in the description you can derive that that particular hotel is “average”.

Pucon, Chilean Lake Region

Pucon, Chile

Introduction

Located 790km south of Santiago and 112km south-east from Temuco (but 82km from the airport), and within the Araucania Region of Chile, Pucón has developed into a "boutique" lake-side village and a very popular place during the summer months of January and February. Therefore, if you have the option to visit outside of these two months then that would be a better bet. However, here at ExperienceChile.Org we can also arrange for you to be in the “right” hotel and then you will not encounter too many people even if you visit during January and February.

Located at the western end of the lake is the village of Villarrica, however, this is not as popular for tourists as Pucon. The road from Villarrica to Pucon is 27km following the southern lake shore, therefore the lake is approximately 30km long and 5km at its widest point.

The northern side of the lake does not have a paved road, only an unpaved road and this does not link up to Pucon either, so it is not possible to “drive around the lake”. On the northern side there are some private houses.

The area to the east of the lake is spectacular. The lake itself is bordered by rolling hills that rise into mountainous terrain on the north-eastern quarter, and to the south is the magnificent conical, snow-covered (at its summit) and active, Villarrica Volcano.

This zone is a haven for those who like outdoor pursuits such as: white water rafting, climb to the top of the volcano, hikes into the national park, mountain biking, skiing in winter, fishing, and boating; and for those who prefer a slower pace there is golf, walking and hot springs to unwind in! You can participate in as many or few of the activities available, or just sit back and read a good book! It is also an ideal place where you can do nothing and just relax, and enjoy wonderful scenery.

Note: If we are including Pucon in your overall travel itinerary we suggest a minimum of 4 nights here.

Pucon Village

The centre of Pucon definitely has a certain “vibe”. There are a few streets that are lined with nice restaurants, boutique-style shops, bars and cafes, most with a wooden façade. It is this style that the impression that Pucon is a mountain village perhaps in North America, rather than Latin America. It is this “good feeling”, together with the beautiful surrounding scenery, and numerous activities on offer, that make Pucon a key place to visit.

Most especially when it is winter in the northern hemisphere, but summer in Pucon, that makes it so attractive to visitors between early December through to the end of March.

Pucon Arrivals and Transfers

The drive time from Santiago is usually around nine hours down the RUTA 5 and then turning off just south of Temuco for the cross-country route to Villarrica and then on to Pucon.
However, flying from Santiago to Temuco is only 1.5hrs or less, and from here you can drive to Pucón, which will take 1.5hrs or less.

ExperienceChile.Org offers a high-end, all-inclusive option here where the accommodation and food are "top-end" and excursions are accompanied with educated guides, or we can include other hotels, with stunning views to the lake, under a bed and breakfast program.

Principal Places of Interest and / or Activities

There are numerous outdoor activity options in this area, but here, we will mention the most popular:

Climbing Villarrica Volcano, and in the winter - skiing down the same volcano; swimming in Lake Villarrica, horse riding, hiking, hot spring baths at Termas de Huiffe or Termas Geometrica (and others), white-water rafting the Tabancura river, fly fishing, sailing and a number of other adrenalin-pumping options. Also there are options to visit numerous National Parks and other lakes in the area.

Climbing Villarrica Volcano

Pucon Climbing Villarrica Volcano Experience Chile

Perhaps one of the most exciting things to do in life is to “climb” an active volcano. Here at Pucon this is possible with daily departures of groups that walk up the steep-sided slopes of the nearby volcano.

Each person is handed crampons to go over footwear, plus an ice axe. Both implements are designed to grip the ice and snow, and rick scree as you ascend the 45-degree angle of the side of the volcano. The ice axe is there to slow you down should you fall over – you need to roll over and stick the axe into the snow – pretty fast so it acts like a break.

The day is a long one with departures starting from the centre of Pucon village from one of the adventure companies offering the activity, which, it should be known, can be cancelled if the weather is not right. For example, if the volcano is covered in mist, fog or low cloud, or if there is a danger of an immediate eruption.

The hike starts from the ski centre base and then groups either hike up to the old cable car station or ride up on the chair lift to this point. Once at the old cable car station it is hiking all the way up for about 4hours or so.

You cannot “just sit down” if you feel tired, so be aware that this activity requires stamina. Also, near the top there is a strong smell of sulphur (not good if you are asthmatic). However, if you make it, looking down into an actual volcanic crater where there is real, orange and red-hot lava gurgling away is quite a kick, especially when you are also at 2,582m above sea level. In addition to this, the view from this point is nothing less than spectacular.

Coming down is a lot quicker.

Hot Springs

Chile Pucon Geometrica Hot Springs Experience Chile

Around Pucon are various hot spring options, each offering varying degrees of facilities, style and service. We will not cover them all, but we will cover two of the better-known places here.

For both the hot spring places below you should, ideally, get tickets in advance.

Termas Geométrica

This is a full day involving a transfer (or self-drive) of around 67km from Pucon, taking about 1.5hrs, or longer, because the final part involves going up a part of the other side of the Villarrica Volcano.

Considering that bathing in warm to hot water for a long period can make you tired, it is very important that the driver does not take too long in the thermal baths. And, for this reason, it would be prudent to have a private transfer take you there and back.

The hot springs here are unique in their appearance. The owner has very cleverly constructed a number of chunky board walks along a natural, narrow, canyon in the forest, together with a base that serves as a cafeteria providing hot drinks and snacks as well as an indoor fire pit to sit around.

There are a number of pools that have been constructed along the length of the canyon, each providing a different temperature. These are the pools that visitors soak in. Then, at the end of the canyon, which is higher up than at the beginning, there is a natural waterfall. The sides of the canyon walls are covered in large “Nalke” leaves, mosses and other forest flora and at along the top are the forest trees.

At certain points there are lockers where visitors can leave their clothes and valuables.

Visitors can come during the day or time it so you arrive for the night time and then, if you are lucky, you can soak in natural hot water and then gaze up at the milky way.

Termas de Huife

These termas are located about 25km due east from Pucon. On the way to Huife the scenery is very reminiscent of that seen in the Alps, with green pastures, rolling hills, forested hill sides and snow-covered mountains in the distance.

One of the best aspects to Termas de Huife has to be its setting, which is beside a natural river and surrounded by lush, green vegetation as well as being overlooked by green forested hills. However, it also does get quite busy during the months of January and February.

Termas the Huife used to be the best place to visit for the Thermal Bath experience, until Geometrica came along. However, it still is a great place to come to, although it is much more of a traditional hot spring with two purpose-built open air, swimming-pool like baths where people soak up the minerals, and a third indoor pool that has special jacuzzi jets under some of the lounger seats in the pool.

There is also a place to receive massages and small, private cubicles to soak, privately, in a deep thermal bath.

Termas de Huife, unlike most hot spring places also offers accommodation, so people can overnight, as well as a restaurant for all required meals.

Other hot spring spots are Palguín, Río Blanco, Quimey-Co and Peumayen, among others.

Hiking

Considering the vast area covered by native forest there are numerous trekking trails. Information on these is best sourced locally, but these are the principal areas:

Chile Pucon Trekking Experience Chile
  • Huerquehue National Park (located east of Lake Caburga) and north of Termas de Huife.
  • Conguillío National Park (located in another valley north of Pucon, therefore requires a long drive of at least 120km). You will need to get to Cunco and then Melipeuco.
  • Villarrica National Park is perhaps the most accessible. The entrance is a paved road starting from very close to the entrance to Pucon village.

National Park Villarrica

The centerpiece of the National Park is the Villarrica Volcano, which dominates the landscape with its perfectly formed conical shape, reaching a height of 2,582m, however, there are also two other volcanoes within the park boundaries and these are Quetrupillan Volcano at 2,360m and the Lanin Volcano (which is right on the Chile – Argentine border, at 3,728 m above sea level.

Villarrica National Park covers 63 thousand hectares that includes extensive lenga and araucaria trees at the higher treeline and then raulí, long-leafed mañío and coigue at the lower altitudes. Among the forests can be found pumas, chilla and culpeo foxes, peucos, quiques, pudúes, cipos as well as monitos del monte, which is one of the three species of marsupials that exist in Chile.

With regards to bird life there are often these varieties to be seen flying around: Aquatic birds such as ducks, huala and the common tagua. In addition, it is possible to spot the blanca, azul, huinfinca, verde, avutardas, quillelhue and los patos lagoons.

On the activity front it is possible to climb the volcano (see further above), visit the natural volcanic caves and ski in the winter months.

Trekking within Villarrica National Park

Trails Include:

  • Villarrica Crater: 5 kms / 6 hrs round trip.
  • The Chilean Path, stretch Los Venados: 15 kms, 10 hrs.
  • Los Nevados: 8 kms / 5 hrs.
  • Los Cráteres Viewpoint: 4 kms / 2.6hrs round trip.
  • The Chilean Path stretch Challupen –Chinay: 23 kms / 12 hrs.
  • Turbio River: 4 kms / 4 hrs round trip.
  • The Chilean Path stretch Las Avutardas: 17 kms / 12 hrs.
  • Momolluco: 12.5 kms / 6hrs.
  • Quinquilil Volcano: 6 kms / 2.3hrs.
  • Pichillancahue: 3.3 kms / 2.6hrs round trip.
  • Rinconada de Huillico: 10 kms / 6hrs.
  • Andean Lakes: 12 kms / 6 hrs.
  • El Mocho Stream: 4 kms / 2hrs round trip.
  • Colonia Benavides: 4 kms / 2.6hrs round trip.
  • Fauna Trail: 150 metres / 30 min.
  • El Aguilucho: 4kms / 8 hrs.
  • Villarrica Journey: 6 kms / 4 hrs.

Fly Fishing, White Water Rafting, Zip Wire (Canopy), Horse Riding and General Water Sports

All of the above can be sourced from a number of service providers located in Pucon Village, or from your hotel, or maybe we will have already included some, or all of them, in the travel itinerary that we have arranged for you.

One word of advice is to allow sufficient time to do what you want to do and the reality is that you cannot do it all.

Helicopter Trips

Helicopter tour around the volcano

It is possible to do an aerial tour around the volcano and this needs to be booked locally.

However, one of our partner hotels also offers exclusive helicopter tours as well as helicopter transfers to remote areas.

Summary of the Development of Pucón

It all started back in 1881 when the army, then station at Villarrica (western end of Lake Villarrica) ventured to the area now known as Pucón in order to install a presence in order to control the pass from Argentina into Chile. This military outpost was the first “settlement” in this sector, just to the east of the actual Plaza de Armas and, effectively, the beginnings of Pucón village.

Shortly afterwards came those who could see business opportunities in leather and timber. Then, in 1904, the Chilean government gave away territory north of Lake Villarrica as well as north of the River Toltén, with a view to encouraging people to settle here. One group of businessmen from Santiago accepted this offer, who, in turn, brought in twenty immigrant families from Germany who settled in Llafenco, north of the Trancura river. This caused a displacement in the indigenous Mapuche population who “retreated” to Quelque, Palguin Bajo and Curarrehue.

The principal business activity, at that time, was lumber and livestock, which, in turn generated the influx of more settlers. Some shops began to open for the newly arriving population and in 1923 the first hotel called the Gudenschwager was established.

It was obvious that this corner of Lake Villarrica was a special place and that it would be attractive to any visitors seeking a holiday. It was then not long before the first, major touristic hotel opened, called the Gran Hotel Pucón, situated on the north side of the current main Plaza de Armas. The Gran Hotel Pucón was promoted as a “luxury resort” with its own beach, park and golf course, and located right in front of the lake.

People coming to Pucón would arrive, mainly, by train to Villarrica and then take a boat across the lake to Pucón. The road between Villarrica and Pucón was not constructed until 1940.

Following the success of the Gran Hotel, two other, smaller hotels, were opened by German families and these were popular with people from the art world such as the National Ballet of Chile. The destination became a “hot spot” for intellectuals and artists. However, fishermen also had regularly visited the area since 1930 and Pucón also became established as a centre for fly fishing. All of this created an impression that Pucón was an “exclusive” destination.

When the Hotel Antumalal opened in 1945 it also received many fishermen, both from Chile and other countries as well as artists and the “social elite” of Chile.

Later, between 1967 and 1969 the unpaved road route between Freire, on the Ruta 5, to Villarrica was opened up, as well as the lake-shore route Villarrica to Pucon. This was followed by other road routes being laid to Lake Caburga, Huife, Curarrehue, Puesco and Lican Ray. This connectivity opened this part of the Chilean Lake Region to an influx in tourism.

However, it was really at the decade that followed the end of the dictatorship under General Pinochet (ended February 1990), so heading to 2000, that Pucón began to be noticed by foreign visitors coming to Chile. As a consequence of an increase in the numbers of people coming into this area, year after year, more and more hotels have been built, as, too, more boutique-style shops have opened in the village, along with up-market restaurants. Alongside this growth has been the action of property developers who have bought land and built apartments, and private houses.

All of this as resulted in Pucón, during the peak summer months, being quite “busy”.

Pucón Accommodation