Lake Villarrica from Pucón: beaches, boating and kayaking

In Pucón, the lake is at the end of the street. The town sits on the eastern shore of Lake Villarrica, a body of water of about 176 km², 23 kilometers long, 11 wide and with a maximum depth of around 165 meters. Like many lakes in southern Chile, it formed behind a moraine left by the last glaciation, and on the far shore, some 25 kilometers away, lies the town of Villarrica.

Playa Grande is the best-known face of that shoreline: a strip of dark sand starting just a few blocks from downtown, filled in summer with umbrellas, swimmers and boats. From here the lake opens up to the west, and on clear days Villarrica volcano rises behind the town.

Further west, past the pier, lies La Poza, the more sheltered bay, enclosed by the Pucón peninsula. This is the town's harbor: motorboats, sailboats and the tour boats that head out across the lake are moored here, and the La Poza pier offers one of the best views of the still water at sunset.

Lake Villarrica is a lake to be used. Sailing, kayaking, water skiing and sport fishing are the classic activities, and in midsummer the surface water sits between 19 and 22 °C, mild for an Andean lake. The Trancura River flows in on the Pucón side and the Toltén flows out at Villarrica, on its way to the Pacific.

Best of all, there is nothing to plan: you walk down from downtown, rent a kayak or hop on a boat, and in the evening head back to the waterfront to watch the sun go down over the lake.

• Tour type: Recreational, water sports and sightseeing
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Tip: Always wear a life jacket when kayaking or boating; fishing in the lake requires a recreational fishing license from Sernapesca, Chile's fisheries service.