Pucón

Pucón
View of Pucón along Lincoyán street and Villarrica Lake
Pucón
Location in Chile
Coordinates: 39°16′36″S 71°58′28″W / 39.27667°S 71.97444°W / -39.27667; -71.97444
CountryChile
RegionAraucanía
ProvinceCautín
FoundationFebruary 27, 1883
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • AlcaldeCarlos Barra Matamala
Area
 • City and Commune
1,248.5 km2 (482.0 sq mi)
Elevation
227 m (745 ft)
Population
 (2012 Census)
 • City and Commune
22,081
 • Density17.686/km2 (45.807/sq mi)
 • Urban
13,837
 • Rural
7,270
Sex
 • Men10,705
 • Women10,402
Time zoneUTC−4 (CLT)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−3 (CLST)
Area codecountry 56 + city 45
Websitewww.municipalidadpucon.cl (in Spanish)

Pucón (Mapudungun: "entrance to the cordillera") is a Chilean city and commune administered by the municipality of Pucón. It is located in the Province of Cautín, Araucanía Region, 100 km to the southeast of Temuco and 780 km to the south of Santiago. It is on the eastern shore of Lake Villarrica, and Villarrica volcano is located roughly 17 km to the south.

Pucón's location by a lake and volcano, along with its relatively stable climate, especially in summer, make it a popular destination for tourists. It offers a variety of sports and activities for tourists, including water skiing, snow skiing, backpacking, white water rafting and kayaking, horse back riding, natural hot springs, zip line rides, skydiving and guided ascents of Villarrica volcano.