Pucon

Pucón (visit its city web) is a small touristy town in the middle of the southern lake district in Chile. Extremely popular both with Chileans and foreigners for its nightlife and the beautiful views of volcan Villarrica. The city center is a backpacker's Disneyland, filled with travel agencies that will offer you any kind of day trips imaginable. If you don't like it crowded, you'll be better off in the nearby town of Villarrica. January and February are the busiest months.

Get in

By bus

Buses travel between Santiago and Pucón daily, many overnight. Tickets are scarce in summer, buy yours sufficiently ahead of your intended departure time.

You can also take the bus from Valdivia, it takes 3hrs.

By plane

Pucón's airport operates only during summer (for regular flights); the flights from Santiago are expensive. The closest airport for the remainder of the year is Temuco, to which airlines do the flight in about one hour from Santiago or Puerto Montt. Temuco is about 1.5 hours away by road.

By train

Trains run to Temuco in summer (Dec-Feb), and only to Chillan rest of the year. Buses are better value.

By car

Driving from Santiago takes approximately eight hours and involves the passing of seven road tolls on the ruta 5, Ch$ 1600 each. The road from the turnoff to Pucón is paved and in good shape.

Mainly Taxis to places out of town, the town itself is small enough to walk. Cycling is easy as they have put in cycle lanes along the main road. There are plenty of collectivo buses too and small public buses.

Where to Eat

• La Maga, Fresia Street, close to Pucón Square and Church. Mouthwatering Argentinian Barbeque. Book ahead in summer.
• Ecole, Urrutia street, is a good vegetarian restaurant. www.ecole.cl
• Viva Peru, Amazing Peru food - try the fish. Lincoyan 372 Street , phone + 56 45 444025
• Pizza Cala, Lincoyan 361, ☎ +56 45 463 024. Some of the best brick oven pizza in town. Also has a full bar with Int'l TV sports 
• Latitude 39, Geronimo de Alderete 324, ☎ 9 743 000 16 (whatsyourlatitude@gmail.com), web. Cool southern Californian couple, Rob and Monica moved to Pucon in 2007 after travelling through in 2004. They set up Latitude in 2008.

Where to Drink

• Mamas and Tapas Bar Restaurant. Great Place, Good Food (TACOS!!!) and Music

Ohiggins 597 Pucon Chile - Fono +56 45-449 002 - mail info@mamasytapas.cl. This is the town's gringo scene, run by a local white water kayaker, snowboarder's and ski

Where to Sleep

• Cabañas Akubra, Fono: 56 45 44191, web. Owned by Chilean-born Australians.
• Grand Hotel Pucon. The Grand Hotel Pucon is a large hotel located right on the lake shore with great views of the lake or volcano. It is likely the oldest and most famous hotel in town and it shows. While clean, the rooms, bathrooms, and facilities are very dated. The staff speaks a little English. $150 per night but you might be charged extra for gym/pool/sauna
  
• Hotel Antumalal web. Said to be "an experience".
  
• Portal Pucon, web. Excellent place with views of the lake for an excellent price (2 bedroom 1 bath "cabañas" for ~ $72US a night.
  

• Hostal RumboSur, Colo Colo 361 (2 blocks from TURBUS bus station. From O´Hoggins make a right onto Colo Colo Street, continue 50 meters until the big yellow house), ☎ +56 45 44 38 40. checkout: 11am. This charming updated farmhouse has views of the mountains and the Villarica Volcano. Walking distance to all popular hot spots,the beach and the bus station. There is an option for private suites for families or groups, or spacious dormitory style rooms, all have comfortable ex-long warm beds and central heating for the cold winter nights. hostalrumbosur.blogspot.com CP$9,000+. 

• Hotel y Cabañas Kernayel, Av. Camino Internacional 1395 Fono/Fax: (56-45) 44 21 64 - 44 30 52, web. Nice place for a nice price. The "cabañas" are really great.

• La Bicicleta, Palguin 361,Pucon, ☎ 56 45 44 45 83. Owned by friendly Chilean Jose. Nice relaxing with wooden decks and views of volcano. Central, close to O'Higgins street. Choice of doubles, singles and dorms. 10,000 peso ppn. 

• Paradise Pucon Hostel web Colo Colo 92 +5645443733 This lovely little hostel is in a quiet neighborhood just a short walk to town, so you can rest peacefully without but still be close to all the fun and activities in the center, not to mention bar and restaurants. Close to the beach on the lake, lots of common space, including a cozy fireplace for winter and hammock for the summer, this hostel offers great, personalized service, helpful staff, and affordable rates. The friendly staff can help you arrange any adventure you want!

• DOME, KM 9 Pucon - Villarrica (rukadomo@gmail.com), ☎ 56 9 78784684. Dome House, peace and tranquility, 3 to 4 persons, 3 to 4 persons fully equipped. rukadomo@gmail.com face book: "ruka domo" 
• Nativa Hostel (in front of the casino), Ansorena 160 (2nd floor), ☎ +56 45 441426, web. checkin: 12:00; checkout: 12:00. The hostel has a spacious and cozy living room with TV, DVD, sound system and internet connection free to use for our guests. The rooms have comfortable and clean beds that include pillow, bed sheets and blankets. For your security, the hostel has storage for luggage. The kitchen and dining room are fully equipped for you to cook and eat comfortably. The bathroom is clean and has toilet paper, 24 hours hot water for the showers. You will only have to bring your own towels. And last but not least, you can find a beautiful open air terrace with a BBQ place and beach chairs on the second floor – there’s nothing better for a “chill and grill” on a warm summer evening. $8000.

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