Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CLP
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- avoid Jun–Aug (cold, many services closed)
- Airports
- EQS · BRC
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Chile ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Chile's National Migration Service or a Chilean consulate; keep the entry slip or digital record you receive.
- Chile ↗Torres del Paine: campsites and refugios on the W and O treks must be booked in advance, and the park requires an entry ticket bought ahead; check the official park (CONAF) channels.
- Chile ↗Chile strictly controls food imports: declare fruit, meat, dairy, seeds and honey on arrival, or throw them away before customs.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Futaleufú133 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Futaleufú, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Chilean peso (CLP, $).Chile-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEntel, Movistar, WOM and Claro sell prepaid SIMs; foreign phones may need IMEI registration after a period — check.Chile-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most cities; boil or filter in rural areas and on treks.Chile-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% suggested on the bill; you may decline.Chile-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Chile-wide
- SafetyFutaleufú is safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin in older buildings; bus terminals charge.Chile-wide
- Emergency numbers133 police · 132 fire · 131 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany businesses close on 18–19 September; Sunday trading is limited in small towns.Chile-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportEQS Esquel Airport (Argentina) (About 50 km (31 mi); bus or taxi to the border, then onward to Futaleufú.).EQS Esquel Airport (Argentina) (About 31 mi (50 km); bus or taxi to the border, then onward to Futaleufú.).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealSimple meal (empanada, sandwich)CLP 3,000–6,000
- Metro or bus rideBus from ChaiténCLP 2,000
- Budget bedCamping spot, a night, per personCLP 4,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a hospedaje, a night, per roomCLP 40,000
- High-end bedDouble room in a hospedaje, a night, per roomCLP 60,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CLP 25,000 · Mid CLP 50,000 · High CLP 90,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- 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.)EQS Esquel Airport (Argentina) (About 31 mi (50 km); bus or taxi to the border, then onward to Futaleufú.) · BRC Bariloche Airport (Argentina) (About 124 mi (200 km); bus via Esquel.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Mar
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Jun
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Jul
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Aug
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Sep
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jul (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Jun (14 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Futaleufú: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
May
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Jun
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
14 rd
Jul
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
14 rd
Aug
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
13 rd
Sep
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable. For the swimming hole or trailheads, a 15–30 min walk or a short taxi ride (check).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 4–5 hr
Bus, about 4 hr
Long for a day trip; better as a stop on the way in or out.
Esquel (Argentina)
goDoor to door: 3–4 hr
Bus, about 3 hr
Cross the border; bring your passport. Trevelin and Los Alerces National Park are on the way.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
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.About 1.2 mi (2 km) from the plaza; camping and cabins with lake views.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CLP 25,000–40,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- CLP 40,000–70,000 excl. bed
- High
- CLP 70,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a hospedaje1 × 2 nights × CLP 40,000 | CLP 80,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CLP 50,000 | CLP 200,000 |
| Half-day rafting trip2 × CLP 45,000 | CLP 90,000 |
| Bus from Chaitén2 × CLP 2,000 | CLP 4,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CLP 37,400 |
| Trip total≈ CLP 102,900 per person per day, bed included | CLP 411,400 |
2026 estimate in CLP; flights and international bus excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Half-day rafting trip | CLP 45,000 |
| Bus from Chaitén | CLP 2,000 |
| Bus from Esquel | CLP 4,500 |
| Camping per person | CLP 4,000 |
| Hostel dorm bed | CLP 5,000–10,000 |
| Simple meal (empanada, sandwich) | CLP 3,000–6,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 133
- Fire
- 132
- Ambulance
- 131
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
FutaleufúFutaleufú
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police133
- Fire132
- Ambulance131
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- 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
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el terminal de buses? — Where is the bus station? (DON-deh es-TAH el ter-mee-NAL deh BOO-ses)
- Necesito un médico — I need a doctor (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh)
Cash is king; ATMs are limited.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Futaleufú. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Mar · avoid Jun–Aug (cold, many services closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for rafting operators with verified safety records.
- Hike and trail pages with GPS tracks and seasonal closures.
- Eat pages with last orders and cash-only warnings.
- Border-crossing fixture with bus schedules and customs hours.
Sources
Ask about Futaleufú
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