If you are thinking of traveling to Pucón in 3 days, either alone, as a couple or with friends, in this article I will tell you what you must do in the capital of adventure tourism. Have fun!
Pucón is a small city in the south of Chile, in the Araucanía Region, which is also known as the capital of adventure tourism nationally and internationally.
This is, without a doubt, a great attraction for many tourists coming from all over the world.
Pucón is beautiful because of its privileged geography, with a guardian among the mountains that watches over it day and night, such as the imposing Villarrica Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in Latin America.
It is surrounded by lakes, waterfalls, hot springs and lots of vegetation, offering tourists a wide variety of activities and fun.
For all this and more, we know that this area of Patagonia is a place in Chile that you can not miss and today, we leave you a great practical guide, so you can know and visit the best of Pucon in 3 days.
📝 Note: This itinerary is designed to be done in summer, with or without a car.
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Tips for your trip to Pucón
- Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes. The central part of Pucón, being so small, is wonderful to walk or cycle through. If you stay in the center you will see that you do not need a car to get around.
- Also consider renting a car. While in the center you don’t need a car at all. The variety of natural panoramas in the surroundings are many. If you are one of those people who love to go out exploring, trekking, visiting waterfalls and natural parks, we recommend you look at the option of renting a car, the city cars are very affordable with an average cost of $45 USD per day.
- Make sure you have enough space on your memory card, because you are sure to take a lot of pictures.
🚗 Check here if you want to rent a car in Patagonia.
Suggested itinerary of things to do in Pucón in 3 days
- Day 1: Tour of downtown Pucón, plus afternoon at the beach.
- Day 2: Perfect to experience the adrenaline of the adventure tourism capital.
- Day 3: Geometric hot springs and other places for relaxation
Day 1: tour of the center of Pucón, later at the beach.
On the first day it is a very good option to start with the attractions of downtown Pucón.
A characteristic of Pucón is that its buildings are made of wood, which gives the city a cozy atmosphere that invites you to get lost in its streets.
You will find that the restaurants, stores and handicrafts are concentrated in the center, and it is precisely here where you will find all the tourist agencies ready to offer you entertaining outdoor activities.
The tour can start at the Plaza de Armas in Pucón. This beautiful square represents the essence of Pucón, and is characterized by its ancient southern trees and wooden sculptures representing the native peoples of Chile.
This is the meeting point for everyone in the city. In summer you will find beautiful markets, shows for young and old, a colorful train that takes you around the city and also a nice place to meet with friends.
Then you can continue to the Poza de Pucón, which is the embarkation area for boats and sailboats, and is always in motion.
Although it is very close to the beach, it has a totally different atmosphere. Here you can stroll along the waterfront, take pictures with the volcano in the background, rent a jet ski if you feel like it or take a ride on the catamarans that wait every day to take visitors around Lake Villarrica.
Finally, spending the afternoon at the beach in Pucón is always a good plan. It has an interesting plus for Chileans, it is not the cold Pacific Ocean that bathes you, but the warm and sweet water of Lake Villarrica.
This beach is alive all year round, offering activities for young and old, even for the more adventurous, such as:
- Kayaking
- Jet ski ride
- Paragliding (from the water)
- Banana
- Windsurf
- among others.
Discover your favorite activity! If you visit Pucón in 3 days you will have time to do some of them!
📷 Check out this panoramic tour of Pucón with a guide and reserve your spot!
Day 2: perfect to experience the adrenaline of the capital of adventure tourism.
Some of the favorite activities for tourists when they plan their 3-day itinerary in Pucón are:
- The ascent to the Villarrica Volcano
- Rafting in the Trancura River.
The choice of activities will depend on your adventurous spirit.
Option 1: Raft down the Trancura River and soak up the fun.
If you decide to venture into the Trancura River, you should know that it is the most important river in Pucón. With its 80 km length and high current, it is a favorite of the world’s whitewater rafters, as well as fishing enthusiasts. But its greatest importance is related to the large inflow of water to Lake Villarrica.
Rafting is one of Pucón’s favorite and most attractive activities, so you can’t miss it.
Don’t worry if you have no rafting experience, as there is a “Trancura low level” option for beginners. This activity is designed for the whole family to enjoy an exciting rafting trip while admiring the Chilean Patagonian landscape.
And if you are a fervent adventure seeker, you have the ideal option for you: “Trancura high level”.
Whatever you choose for your visit to Pucón in 3 days: Let’s take the oars and enjoy!
📷 Do you choose this adventure? Check out this rafting excursion on the Trancura River.
Option 2: Ascent of the Villarrica Volcano
Another world famous activity to do in Pucón in three days is to climb the Villarrica Volcano. With its 2846 meters high, and its fumaroles that never stop, it becomes a giant to be conquered.
The ride is beautiful from start to finish, and you don’t need to get to the top to be amazed. From the middle of the route you can enjoy panoramic views of the towns of Pucón and Villarrica, the surrounding lakes such as Caburgua, Calafquen and, of course, Villarrica, and also other volcanoes such as Lanín, on the Argentinean side, and Llaima.
📝 The ascent to the Villarrica Volcano is classified as a trekking of medium difficulty: 4 to 6 hours of ascent and approximately 3 hours of descent. If you want to see more details see our article about the ascent to the Villarrica volcano.
📷 Do you dare to set a course to the Chilean sky? Take a look at this trekking to climb the Villarrica Volcano.
Day 3: Geometric hot springs and other places for relaxation
Undoubtedly something you cannot miss in your Pucón itinerary in 3 days are the famous Geometric Hot Springs.
Who doesn’t like to pamper themselves with a hot spring bath? Especially after having experienced so many adventures the day before.
Although natural hot springs abound in southern Chile, the Termas Geométricas are the most famous in the region.
Its popularity is due to the beauty of 20 hot springs with temperatures between 35º and 45º degrees, all connected through wooden walkways in the middle of nature, which will make you live a totally different experience.
You can rest and relax for a few hours in the thermal pools, which are not only novel but also good for your health. For more information see our article on how to visit the geometric hot springs in Pucón.
📝 Travel tip: The geometric hot springs is one of the most touristic places in Pucón and, therefore, it can be very crowded during your visit. If you are looking for a more remote and quiet place, go to Cascada El León, where you can also enjoy a 95-meter high waterfall.
📷 Relax by taking this excursion to the Geometric Hot Springs from Pucón.
Do you have more days in Pucon? Check out our article on how to visit the Ojos del Caburgua Park, with its three waterfalls.
Where to stay in Pucón
Pucón has a large number of hotels, tourist apartments, inns and aparts. Please note that during the summer months (january and february) it is advisable to book in advance due to the large influx of people due to the high season.
🏨 See here where to stay in Pucón and find your ideal accommodation.