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Weather:
Pucón has January average daily temperatures of around 23-25 ºC, for which light clothing is recommended for daytime. The sun can be strong so sunglasses are advised. Though this region has a pleasant Mediterranean climate, cutting winds may suddenly sweep off the lakes and mountains so it is wise to come equipped with warmer clothes too.
The weather conditions are mainly good, with warm sunny days and mild nights. But remember that in Southern Chile it can always rain, and then, the temperature drops (18ºC). Rain seldom lasts more than one or two days. There is a very strong wind called "Puelche" that comes from Argentina. It usually starts past midnight and can last two to three days, raising the temperatures over 30ºC.
Some surrounding attractions:
-Villarica National Park: 12 km from Pucón and site of 3 volcanoes, Quetrupillán, Lanín and Villarica, which is one of the most active volcanoes in Chile. Volcano treks up Villarica are easily arranged in Pucón.
-Huerquehue National Park: 35km from Pucón, and renowned for its beautiful mountains, lakes and waterfalls, as well as home to native trees such as the monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucaria) and coigues
-Hot water springs: Termas del Huife and Termas de Palguín, 33 km and 35 km respectively from Pucón
-Waterfalls: Salto del Leon, Ojos de Caburgua
-White water rafting: Trancura River
-Ski season: June to September
Getting There:
By Car:
There are three main routes towards Pucón.
1) From the North - from Santiago or Concepción passing Temuco, Freire and Villarrica
2) From the South - from Puerto Montt or Valdivia passing Loncoche and Villarrica
3) From the East (Argentina) - from San Martín de los Andes crossing the Mamuil-Malal-Pass (also called Tromen-Pass)
The first two roads are entirely paved and in good condition, the Panamerican has highway standard. Total distance Santiago – Pucón is 789 kilometres, it is about a nine-hours-drive.
The international connection is a gravel road for about 100 kilometres. There is no problem in summer for any vehicle, but in winter you may need a 4WD.
By Bus:
There is at least one bus per day on every mentioned route (except from Argentina: no bus on Sunday). From Valdivia 4 buses a day. From Temuco there is transport every half an hour by Buses JAC. From Santiago, there are about 10 overnight and 2 diurnal buses leaving for Pucón. Two companies, Tur Bus and Buses JAC, also offer the more comfortable “Ejecutivo” and “Salón Cama”-services with more space for your legs and sleeper seats. They are recommended for a more relaxing, comfortable trip.
Bus information in Santiago:
| Company Name |
Type |
Address |
Phone |
| Tur- Bus |
Buses |
Term San Borja, San Borja 184 Of 30-34-41-59, Stgo |
(56-2) 778-7338 |
| Jac |
Buses |
Torres de Tajamar Loc. 35-D,Providencia |
(56-2) 235-1713 |
| Lit |
Buses |
Stgo. Nicasio Retamales 44 Of. 91, Santiago |
(56-2) 779-5710 |
| Fénix Pullman Sur |
Buses |
Term. Stgo. Nicasio Retamales 44 Of. 67, Santiago |
56-2) 776-1727 |
By Train:
In 2002, the old wagons were put out of service and for several months there was no train at all running Santiago - Temuco. One year later, the service was restarted with improved tracks and new wagons brought from Europe. The charm of the old train is now gone for good. The new system has had some bad reviews though: the seats in the "Salon Class" are reported to be less comfortable than the ones in a regular bus, and due to some connection problems, it is not possible to turn off the lights during the night (not advisable for people with trouble falling asleep). There is no "sleeper service" anymore. The classes "Preferencial" and "Salón" only have seats.
The journey Santiago - Temuco lasts nine hours. The railway company runs conecting buses from / to Pucón.
Schedule summer 2005/06:
Departures: Santiago: 22:30 - 7:30 Temuco
Departures: Temuco: 22:00 - 7:00 Santiago
More information and tickets are available at the office of “Ferrocarriles del Estado” in the metro station “Universidad de Chile” or phone (56-2) 600 5855000 or at the “Estación Central”. Ferrocarriles del Estado has also a web site with information, but only in Spanish.
See www.efe.cl
By Air:
Pucón has built its own airport, but only during summer season (January / February) and on some holiday weekends there are flights. They are far more expensive than the regular flights to Temuco-Maquehue airport, where LanChile and Sky Airlines have several flights a day to and from Santiago and Puerto Montt.
From Temuco airport you can take a taxi or a van to the Buses JAC Terminal in the city, there are buses every half an hour to Pucón until 9 PM. A taxi ride from the airport directly to Pucón costs about US$ 50 – 60. If there are at least 4 passengers, you can take a van direct from Temuco Airport to Pucón for about US$ 12 pp.
Pucón Summer Schedule 2006:
LanChile has departures: Santiago?Temuco and Temuco?Santiago, cheapest rountrip ticket US$ 120.
Sky Airlines has departures: Santiago?Temuco and Temuco?Santiago, cheapest roundtrip ticket US$ 120
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