Curarrehue
A Mapuche Pewenche village near the Argentine border, where the food and the tourism are run locally.
Saved in this browser only - no account, nothing sent anywhere. See your map
Curarrehue lies on the road from Pucon to the Argentine border, in country that is strongly Mapuche and specifically Pewenche - the people of the pehuen, the araucaria, whose seeds were a staple food gathered from the forests above. The village has an intercultural centre in the shape of a ruka and, more to the point, a set of community-run enterprises: cooking with Anita Epulef, whose restaurant works with Mapuche ingredients and has drawn national attention, along with weaving, herbal knowledge and guided walks arranged through families rather than agencies. The approach is deliberate and the terms are the community's.
What you actually see
- Pewenche country - the people of the araucaria and its seeds.
- A ruka-shaped cultural centre - the village's intercultural space.
- Community-run food and workshops - arranged through families.
- Mapuche cooking taken seriously - the kitchen that made the village known.
When to go
December to March. A full day.
Honest expectations
Meals and workshops need arranging in advance and are not drop-in. This is a working community, not a display; photography of people needs asking. Services in the village are limited. Rain is frequent.
Nearby
Pucon is west; the Mamuil Malal pass to Argentina is east.
What to pack for Curarrehue
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.