Temuco

About

Temuco began as a humble military encampment built in 1881 during the Occupation of the Araucanía. Within a year, streets were laid, and by the end of the decade, the population had ballooned to over 10,000. Located in a valley halfway between the Pacific and the Andes, Temuco is best known for its location - it’s known as the gateway to the lake district to the south and Conguillio National Park to the northeast and the ski resort of Volcán (Volcano) Llaima. But two universities give Temuco a lively air, and it’s a great place to make a pitstop to connect with local culture. Head down to Plaza Ánibal Pinto, Temuco’s main square, to see the "Monumento a la Araucania'' statue commemorating the area’s different groups, including the Mapuche. Then dive deeper into local history at the excellent Museo Regional Auracania, which has thousands of artifacts. From there, grab a bite of local fare (Restaurante Rapa Nui is a local favorite), or savor the city’s German heritage with a beer and chorrillana at Beermania.