Futaleufu

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.

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.

Do

 * 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.

Sleep
Lots of hospedajes have camping spots.



Go next

 * Esquel
 * Los Alerces National Park