Villarrica

Villarrica needs 1 day: touring the Lake Villarrica waterfront, with its black volcanic sand beaches and views of the eponymous volcano, and the Mapuche Historical and Archaeological Museum, in the same day. December-March brings the best weather for the lake. It's cheaper than neighboring Pucón, just 25 km away, making it an affordable alternative base for exploring the same area. It shares its lake and volcano with Pucón but keeps a calmer pace and a strong Mapuche cultural presence, with crafts and traditional cuisine visible at its lakeside market.