Futaleufu

town in Chile

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

Understand

Futaleufú is locally known as Futa. A growing tourism industry specialising on whitewater rafting, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, and canyoning.

Get in

By car

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

By bus

From:

  • Chaitén – Daily via Villa Sta Lucia; 2,000 pesos, 4 hr.
  • Esquel (Argentina) – Buses cost 4,500 pesos and take 3 hr. Towards Esquel, buses leave on M W F 08:30 and 18:30.
  • Puerto Montt, Osorno – Buses take around 12 hr, including two border crossings since they go through Argentina.

By plane

Futaleufú is most easily accessed by plane from the airports in Esquel and Bariloche, in Argentina.

Get around

The town is entirely walkable.

See

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

Do

White water rafting on the Rio Futaleufu
  • Rafting, kayaking, canoeing (Nov–Mar) – 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 45,000 pesos for half a day.
  • Swimming – Hike 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.

Buy

Eat

Drink

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. 5,000 pesos per person. 
  • Camping Laguna Espejo (Near the laguna). Has Wi-Fi and kitchen access. Some tent spots are well shaded. 4,000 pesos. 


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