The city of Pucón is one of the main tourist areas of the Chilean Arqucania Region. It falls at the foot of the massive Villarríco volcano in the quiet foothills of the Andes Mountains.
The city is close enough to travel to from Santiago by vehicle and the journey offers attractive flowers and leafy scenery to let you know that you have almost arrived.
Pucón is a newer city compared to the rest of Chile so it doesn't have quite as much history and cultural but it definitely makes up for it in adventure. German colonists first populated the area and began building the first hotels in 1928. The city is small and has only a population of around 8,000 people.
Two national parks find their homes here. Villarríca park is named after the 2,847-meter-high majestic volcano found in its center. It is one of the most active volcano in the entire world that offers permanent fumaroles that can be observed at any given time. Many tourists ski this mountain in the winter and folks climb their way to the crater in the summer.
The Trancura River is alive with rapids and hot spring, making it a primary reason why so many visitors flock to the city in the summer. The diverse variety in environment beckons tourists to participate in water sports, horseback riding, mountain climbing, fly-fishing, fauna and flora watching and vast amounts of tours.
Pucón's location offers a micro climate that delivers healing warm waters in the lagoons and lakes that visitors travel many miles just to bathe in. These waters are said to do magical things for muscle aches and arthritis.
Adventure awaits you in Pucon with activities like zip-lining. Six stations through canopies of thick native forests is found at a resort that is open year round.
The Trancura white water rafting excursion is sure to satisfy your need for adrenaline. The water starts out slow but gains a great deal more strength as it progresses. The final part proves to be the most technical with deep pools, rocks and parts of shallow water where you can can easily get stuck. It is described as an exhausting but fascinating journey.
If you are looking for an alternative water sport that is sure to get you blood flowing, Pucón offers a sport called river sledging and it is intense! Wearing a wet suit and equipped with nothing but a small “plastic sled” looking device to float on, you tackle the mighty Trancura River. You make a connection with the river as if you are part of it. Flow through the rock obstacles listening to the sounds in the rain forest with torrent ducks battling the rapids a long side of you. This is not a sport for the timid.
Still need more adventure? How about parachute jumping out of a plane with mountains and volcanoes surrounding you? At 9,000 feet you fly with a professional jumper at 200 kilometers per hour. This is truly an unforgettable experience.
Pucón is not a spectator spot. There is plenty to do and see at any time of the year. From calm sightseeing by way of cycling or horseback riding or intense adventures water sledging, zip-lining and parachute jumping, this city has something for everyone.