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Back to Futaleufú

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Voykit pocket guide · Chile

Futaleufú

Go for 2–3 nights if you raft or fish; otherwise skip — the town is a one-street base for the river, not a destination on its own.

Futaleufú is a small Patagonian town on the Futaleufú River, 10 km from the Argentine border. It is known for world-class whitewater rafting (class IV–V), fly-fishing, and hiking in the surrounding valleys. Most visitors come for the river and leave after 2–3 days. The town itself is walkable and has a handful of hostels, campgrounds, and simple restaurants.

SantiagoAchaoAlgarroboAncudAntofagastaAricaCalamaCalderaCastroChaiténChillánConcepciónCopiapóCoquimboFutaleufú1,000 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Chile
Best months
Nov–Mar
Avoid
Jun–Aug (cold, many services closed)
Stay
2 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
CLP
Money
Currency is the Chilean peso (CLP, $). Cards are widely accepted; carry cash for small shops, markets and rural buses.
Daily spend
Budget CLP 25,000–40,000 excl. bed · Mid CLP 40,000–70,000 excl. bed · High CLP 70,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Entel, Movistar, WOM and Claro sell prepaid SIMs; foreign phones may need IMEI registration after a period — check.
Emergency
Police 133 · Fire 132 · Ambulance 131
Plugs
Types C, L · 220 V · 50 Hz · European plugs fit; Type L is Italian three-pin.
Tipping
Restaurants: 10% suggested on the bill; you may decline.; Guides and drivers: CLP 5,000–15,000 a day.; Supermarket packers: A few hundred pesos.
Water
Tap water is safe in most cities; boil or filter in rural areas and on treks.
Toilets
Paper in the bin in older buildings; bus terminals charge.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Half-day rafting tripCLP 45,000
Bus from ChaiténCLP 2,000
Bus from EsquelCLP 4,500
Camping per personCLP 4,000
Hostel dorm bedCLP 5,000–10,000
Simple meal (empanada, sandwich)CLP 3,000–6,000

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

EQS · Esquel Airport (Argentina)
About 50 km (31 mi); bus or taxi to the border, then onward to Futaleufú.
BRC · Bariloche Airport (Argentina)
About 200 km (124 mi); bus via Esquel.

Typical fares

Bus from Chaitén
about CLP 2,000, 4 hr
Bus from Esquel
about CLP 4,500, 3 hr
Half-day rafting
about CLP 45,000
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

The town is walkable. For the swimming hole or trailheads, a 15–30 min walk or a short taxi ride (check).

See and do

Known for

  • Whitewater rafting on the Futaleufú River
  • Fly-fishing for trout and salmon
  • Hiking and mountain biking in the Andes
  • Laguna Espejo and the swimming hole

Day trips

WhereHowTime
ChaiténBus, about 4 hr4–5 hr
Esquel (Argentina)Bus, about 3 hr3–4 hr

Sleep

Town centre
Walkable to the plaza, restaurants, and river access. Most hostels and hospedajes are here.
Laguna Espejo area
About 2 km (1.2 mi) from the plaza; camping and cabins with lake views.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
HelloHolaOH-lah
Thank youGraciasGRAH-see-ahs
How much is it?¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN-toh KWES-tah
Where is the bus station?¿Dónde está el terminal de buses?DON-deh es-TAH el ter-mee-NAL deh BOO-ses
I need a doctorNecesito un médiconeh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: One cheek kiss (women) or handshake; avoid: Skipping the greeting
  • Politics: Listen; avoid: Opinions on Pinochet with strangers
  • Dinner: Eat late (from 21:00); avoid: Expecting 18:00 dinners
  • Nature: Carry out rubbish; avoid: Leaving trails or lighting fires

Scams and watch-outs

  • Rafting season is Nov–Mar; book ahead with a licensed operator.
  • The river is class IV–V: only go with a guide.
  • Last bus to Chaitén leaves early; confirm the schedule at the terminal.
  • ATMs are limited; bring enough cash (CLP) for your stay.

Futaleufú is safe for tourists. The main risks are the river (raft only with a guide) and the cold in winter. Keep valuables out of sight.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Futaleufú yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Whitewater rafting on the Futaleufú River
  • Fly-fishing for trout and salmon
  • Hiking and mountain biking in the Andes
  • Laguna Espejo and the swimming hole

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Futaleufú

A esta dirección, por favor

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

Cash is king; ATMs are limited.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/futaleufu). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.