Futaleufu

Futaleufú is a small town in Southern Chile, in the Northern Chilean Patagonia, 10 km from the Argentinian border.

Get in

By car

Futaleufú is at about 50 km from Esquel in Argentina; from Chaitén, the distance is similar.

By bus

Buses from Chaitén come in daily via Villa Sta Lucia (CLP$2,000, 4 hours). From Esquel in Argentina, buses cost CLP$4,500 and take 3 hours. Towards Esquel, buses leave on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 08:30 or 18:30. Buses from Puerto Montt or Osorno, further north in Chile, take around 12 hours including two border crossings since they go through Argentina.

Get around

The town is entirely walkable.

See

• Tourist Board. Useful tourist information centre on main square. 

Do

• Rafting/kayaking (November to March). There are class IV and V rapids here. The beautiful river, and its surroundings, are arguably one of the best rafting spots in all of Latin America. Many companies offer trips, for around CLP$45,000 for half a day, see for example Futaleufuexplore or Cara Del Indio.

• Swimming: walk out of town west along P Aguirre Cerde. After 30 minutes along a gravel road you come to a large bridge. Just on the left is a stony "beach" with a makeshift diving board. Excellent spot for swimming in the crisp clean waters, which are better than the swimming areas on the main road into town.

Sleep

Lots of hospedajes have camping spots.

• Hostal Frontera, P Carmona (two blocks north and one block east of the main plaza). The best equipped hostel in town, with kitchen. CLP$5,000 per person. 

• Camping Laguna Espejo (Near the laguna). Has Wi-Fi and kitchen access. Some tent spots are well shaded. CLP$4,000. 

Go next

• Esquel
• Los Alerces National Park