Lake Villarrica

In Chile, Lake Villarrica shares its name with one of the country's most active volcanoes on its southern shore and a city on its western shore. All three combine to make the area known as Chile's Lakes District, a place of lakes and volcanoes, one of the top tourist destinations in Chile that offers year-round excitement and adventure tourism. Lake Villarrica is also known as "Mallolafquen," which means "cretaceous water" in pre-Hispanic Spanish.

Glaciers during the last ice age created the 42,749-acre Lake Villarrica. This sizable lake allows tourists to enjoy boating, kayaking, sailing, waterskiing, swimming, and beaches for sunbathing and relaxation during the summer when the water is in the 70s. Sport fishing is a lucrative industry, and there are many of guides that can take you to the ideal location for a memorable catch of trout, rainbow trout, and salmon.

Pucon, one of Chile's most popular tourist destinations, is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Villarrica. Vacation rentals in Pucon include spas, cabins, hostels, five-star hotels, condos, and privately owned summer homes. There are well-kept beaches on Lake Villarrica in this city for swimming, pedal boats, sunbathing, and relaxing. Casinos, restaurants, pastry shops, bars, and shopping venues line the streets. White water rafting on neighboring rivers is thrilling, as is horseback riding on the many trails surrounding the lake and area, which can also be used for hiking or biking.

A good real estate opportunity may be found along the 15-mile route that connects Pucon and Villarrica. This road borders Lake Villarrica and is lined with condominiums, chalets, and garden homes. Land ownership opportunities and property values are increasing in this area due to the tourist industry and people looking for vacation properties. Despite being more remote than Pucon, Villarrica gains from the area's fame. The primary industries in the region, in addition to tourism, are grain and dairy farming, as well as forestry in Huerquehue National Park. Budget-friendly vacation accommodations are available in this area, including bed & breakfasts, lodges, motels, and camping grounds. Fish, citrus, and regional veggies will tantalize your appetite in restaurants and neighborhood eateries.

The great Villarrica Volcano can be seen from anywhere in the Lake Villarrica area, no matter where you stay. During the warm summer months, guided tours will take you on a hike up the volcano, where you can peer into the bubbling lava inside the crater or admire the beauty of the area from a high altitude. During the winter, great skiing and snowboarding are available on the active volcano's slopes. For the brave, zip line rides through the forests are available. Villarrica National Park is home to all of this excitement, but you can also stroll the park's many trails to see the beauty of its exotic vegetation, rare creatures, or the naturally hot springs that were created when the volcano heated surrounding springs.

Imagine hiking up one of the world's most active volcanoes, then cooling off in beautiful Lake Villarrica. If you prefer colder temperatures, consider skiing down the side of the volcano and warming up in one of the hot springs. It is up to you to decide which season to visit, but Lake Villarrica will be a destination that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Location: Chile - Central Chile Region

Basin countries: Chile
Surface area: 173 km2 (67 sq mi)
Surface elevation: 230 m (750 ft)