Pucón , Chile is a great town because of the outdoor adventure but it also offers tasty restaurants and comfortable places to rest one’s weary head at night.
The lodging of Pucón varies from the top of the line to the very basic.
We stayed at an ecologically friendly establishment, Hosteria ¡Ecole!, located a few blocks off the main street. The atmosphere was friendly and laid back. The food offered by the in-house restaurant was fresh and tasty. They offered the hostel style rooms of sharing the bedroom and bathrooms or the private version as well. Our private room with a queen bed, clean bathroom and breakfast was US$45 a night. (A piece of advice: ask Marta for a room in the back.)
The rooms are more protected from the noises of fellow travelers, which is nice when having to wake up early for a volcano summit attempt.
The hotel also works with the best massage therapist that I have found in multiple years of traveling through South America, Alejandra. Ask for her if your body is in need of attention.
On the higher end of the scale for lodging there is the Antumalal. This quaint cottage-style local is a few kilometers outside the center of town. It is surrounded by lush, beautiful gardens and has spectacular views of the glistening waters of Lago Villarrica. There are also tennis courts available. Rooms range in price from US$100 to $200.
At the other end of the spectrum there is the hostel Tr@vel Pucón. This establishment is located in the center of town and is a great place to meet people from around the world. The full range of languages are spoken to accommodate any guest. They also offer Spanish classes to help the traveller have a better experience. Kitchen facilities are available and it is near the Turbus terminal for easy accesability. Prices are around US$10.
As with lodging, the restaurants vary in atmosphere and price. In our experience though, all restaurants were exceptionally tasty and the kitchens used fresh ingredients and good spices.
We had an excellent dining experience at Nau Kana Restaurant, Cocina Etnica. An eatery with great ambiance and delicious international cuisine, this establishment offers varied dishes with worldly flavors from Arabic, Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Japanese kitchens. The décor includes candles, faux fur and splashes of red and purple. Groovy music is softly played to add to the mood.
If you are traveling through the wonders of Patagonia, Pucón is a worthy destination and the great accommodations and restaurants only add to the enjoyment.