When to Go to the Lakes District

The Lakes District is a very popular summer destination for Chileans and foreigners. From November to March, the entire region gears up to greet these visitors. A host of activities are promoted. It is also the official season for casting your line in for the region’s famous trout and salmon. Days are longer and warmer, allowing for trekking through the area’s numerable national parks. Summer is also festival time. Villages celebrate their founding days. Frutillar has its world-famous music festival from the end of January through the first week of February.

With fall, hotels, restaurants and the tourism offices shut down in most small villages. The larger towns continue to offer full services. Ski and snow sport centers at Pucón, Parque Nacional Puyehue, Parque Nacional Vicente Pérez Rosales and others experience a second high season from June to September. If coming in wintry mid-June, an important celebration not to miss is We Txipantu, the Mapuche New Year.