3-MINUTE TRAVEL GUIDE:
VILLARRICA, CHILE

DON’T FORGET TO PACK Cold-weather clothing!
The seasons in Chile are opposite that of the US, so it will be early spring when you arrive and very cold. You’ll want lots of layers and warm clothing. The area has lots of hot springs though, so don’t forget to pack a swimsuit. You’ll also need good hiking boots to take full advantage of southern Chile’s natural beauty. Finally, if you like spicy food, I recommend packing hot sauce because you won’t find anything remotely spicy in Villarrica.

BEST LEFT AT HOME Fancy clothing. People dress fairly casually in Villarrica. It’s also safe to leave behind bug spray. I never needed to use it.

WHERE TO LIVE Stay with a host family, if you can. They are an amazing resource for learning about Chilean culture and history, travel trips, and practicing your Spanish! I’m still in touch with my host mom today, and the conversations I’ve had with her and the rest of my host family are one of the most valuable parts of my experience abroad.

BEST EATS NEAR CAMPUS Eco Mapu Villarrica was a destination for many of the students in my cohort. This tiny cafe has yummy sweet treats, drinks, and WiFi. While Villarrica doesn’t have a wide variety in terms of types of food, it does have lots of small bakeries and cafés, so I’d recommend exploring to find your favorites!

FAVORITE CHILEAN ACTIVITY Hiking at El Cañi, a beautiful temperate rainforest preserve in the Huife Valley. The hike is uphill almost the entire way, but the view of four volcanoes at the top is well worth the effort.

WHERE TO STUDY I mostly studied at my homestay. Studying at cafés in Chile is not as common, so you may be asked to leave in the middle of a study session.

MUST-TRY LOCAL DISH Towards the end of the year when the weather warms up, the Villarrica embarcadero will be lined with street vendors selling churros, completos (Chilean hot dogs with lots of toppings), and more. Look for mote con huesillo, a unique Chilean beverage made from dried peaches cooked in sweet cinnamon water and served with wheat berries. It may sound strange, but it is super yummy! Mote con huesillo is only available in the summertime, but sopaipillas, a kind of fried bread, served with a Chilean salsa called pebre, are another tasty snack available year-round.

BEST PHOTO OP Anywhere along the waterfront, you are almost guaranteed a stunning view of the Villarrica volcano over the lake. It’s gorgeous at sunset. For views of both the town and the volcano, walk along the old bridge across the Toltén River. There is also a small park along the river on the opposite side.

BIGGEST FAIL Attempting to find an automatic rental car—they basically don’t exist in Chile! Learn to drive a manual before you go if you plan on renting a car.

BUY THIS Fresh fruit and veggies from fruterías, local produce stores, and vendors outside grocery stores. These sellers often have fresher and tastier produce than the grocery stores do. Digueñes, an edible Chilean tree fungus, are available from some of these vendors around October.

NOT THAT At the beginning of summer, the many tourist-oriented shops in town will open up. These are fun to look around in, but most items aren’t made to last, so I wouldn’t spend too much money there.

BEST LOCAL EVENT The Villarrica Cultural Center has lots of programming that’s worth checking out. My favorite was a tango concert.

BEST PART OF THE PROGRAM Traveling and exploring southern Chile—it is truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. You’ll have plenty of long weekends and breaks, so take advantage of them! Bus travel is fairly inexpensive and can get you to most places.

UNFORGETTABLE WEEKEND TRIPS One of the best weekend trips I went on was to Valdivia, a town near the coast about a 3-hour bus ride from Villarrica. My friends and I stayed at the Airesbuenos Hostel, an eco-centric hostel with excellent showers and breakfast included. Trip highlights included visiting the Feria Fluvial, an open-air market by the river with tons of fresh produce, taking the bus to Niebla on the ocean, amazing meals at El Growler, and my first sighting of the endangered Chilean bumblebee.

BONUS PRO TIP Your Chilean student ID card will often get you discounts at parks and events—it’s always worth asking!

Phoebe Goulden