Pucón
Pucón is a lake town in southern Chile where you can climb an active volcano in the morning and soak in hot springs by evening.
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Pucón is a town in the Araucanía Region of southern Chile, on the shore of Lake Villarrica. Its best-known landmark is the Villarrica volcano, a steep, active cone that rises above the town. Crater climbs go with a guide, and the upper route crosses snow and ice. The lake, nearby national parks and hot springs in the surrounding hills give the town a quieter side. Travelers usually reach it by road from Santiago or Temuco, a long drive south.
Pucón suits travelers who want active days, such as hiking, kayaking, rafting and winter snow sports, with a quiet town to return to. Summer, from December to March, is the season for volcano climbs and lake days. Mapuche communities live in the wider region. Three days covers a volcano climb, a lake day and the hot springs. Add two for Huerquehue and Caburgua.
Pucón in five
- Book a guided climb of VillarricaCrater climbs go with a guide, and the upper route crosses snow and ice. Check the volcano's alert level before you book.Tours and tickets
- Carry Chilean pesos for small shopsThe currency is the Chilean peso (CLP). Smaller shops and bakeries may take only cash, while larger restaurants take cards.Money and costs
- Get a Chilean SIM or eSIM before you arriveDownload offline maps for the rural roads around the lakes.Phones and eSIM
- Fly to Temuco, then take the busPucón has no commercial airport. The bus from Temuco takes about 2 hours and is the usual route.Getting around
- Pack layers for the crater climbThe summit is cold and windy, and snow glare is strong. Bring a warm layer, a wind shell and sunglasses.Clothing
Need to know
- Currency
- Chilean peso (CLP)
- Entry
- Visa rules depend on your passport; check reciprocity rules for yours Read more
- Emergency
- 133 police (Carabineros), 132 fire, 131 ambulance
- Tipping
- About 10% in restaurants; some bills add a tip line called propina
- Time
- UTC-4; UTC-3 during daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear8 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Hot, peak seasonJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, peak season
- FebruaryClear7 rainy daysHigh24°Low12°Warm, long daysFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- MarchRain10 rainy daysHigh21°Low10°Warm, lake daysMarchRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 165 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, lake days
- AprilRain15 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Autumn beginsAprilRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 263 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn begins
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Autumn colorMayRain
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 338 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- JuneRain20 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low3°Cool, quieterJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 536 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quieter
- JulyRain18 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low2°Snow, winterJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 421 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, winter
- AugustRain19 rainy daysHigh11°Low2°Cold, snowyAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 405 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snowy
- SeptemberRain16 rainy daysHigh13°Low3°Ski seasonSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 300 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh15°Low4°Spring, coolOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 228 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, cool
- NovemberRain14 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh18°Low7°Spring, quieterNovemberRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 170 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Spring, quieter
- DecemberClear10 rainy daysHigh21°Low9°Summer, busyDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 116 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Summer, busy
Average daily high and low in Pucón, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Pucón
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 59%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Pucón
08:23 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today16°4°0%Monday: Fog. High 16°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue13°8°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed14°8°71%Wednesday: Rain. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Thu13°6°99%Thursday: Rain. High 13°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Fri17°3°22%Friday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Sat24°8°0%Saturday: Clear. High 24°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun29°14°2%Sunday: Clear. High 29°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 06:41 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 990.8 CLP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Temucoabout 2 hours by busThe regional city and airport gateway, with shops and services.
- Villarricaabout 30 min by carThe lakeside town of the same name, quieter than Pucón for a relaxed lunch.
- Caburgua lakesabout 40 min by carLakes and a waterfall in forest, good for a half day.
Before you go to Pucón
Rules for Pucón, checked
- Check entry rules for your passport on the Chilean immigration site (extranjeria.gob.cl) before you fly; reciprocity rules differ by country.Source
- Declare fresh fruit, meat, plants and seeds on arrival; the agricultural service SAG inspects bags and can seize prohibited items.Source
- Climbs to the Villarrica crater go with a guide; check the volcano's alert level with Sernageomin before you book.Source
- Stay on marked trails and follow CONAF park rules; check current entry and camping rules at conaf.cl before you hike.Source
Plan around Pucón
Regions, entry rules and getting around the country
Read the guideGetting aroundFlying to Temuco and the bus to the lake
Read the guideMoney and cardsPesos for small shops, cards in town
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa, and what to check before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayTown centre, volcano slopes and quiet lake stays
Read the guideVolcano and park toursGuided crater climbs and day trips from town
Read the guidePucón FAQ
Is Pucón worth visiting?
Yes, for three days or more. The Villarrica volcano, the lake, the hot springs and the national park trails are all in the Araucanía lake country.
How do you get to Pucón?
Fly to Temuco, then take a bus, about 2 hours. Pucón has no commercial airport, so the bus from Temuco is the usual route.
How many days do you need in Pucón?
Three days covers a volcano climb or hike, a lake day and the hot springs. Add two more for Huerquehue and Caburgua at a slower pace.
Can I climb Villarrica without a guide?
No. Crater climbs go with a guide, and the upper route crosses snow and ice.
Where should I stay in Pucón?
Stay in the town centre to walk to restaurants and tour offices. Volcano slopes and the lake road suit travelers with a car who want quiet nights.
Do I need a car in Pucón?
Not for the town itself. The Caburgua lakes and Huerquehue are easier by car or organized tour than by public transport.