Temuco is located in the center of La Araucania. The capital of this region was last bastion of Mapuche people that faced the white men arrival in Chile.

Temuco in Mapuche language means "temu water." Temu is a native treet that can be observed throughout this region next to araucaria, another favorite with visitors.

This city is one of most important attractions of La Araucania and is visited throughout the year by local and foreign tourists. Among its main attractions are the Pablo Neruda National Railway Museum and La Araucania Regional Museum, whose doors invite to discover secrets of this natural and historical area.

Less than seven streets from Temuco main sqauare is reached Cerro Nielol Natural Monument, only wilderness protected area located on city radius in Chile. Here nature with peumos, boldos, olivillos, oaks, laurels and ulmos forests impacts. This natural monument can also learn about its history because here is Armistice Patagua that remembers when Mapuche people handed over their lands to settlers for city founding.

Undoubtedly one of the biggest attractions in the capital of La Araucania is Municipal Market. Their scents, their colors and above all the diversity of its dishes are a true reflection of local culture.

Temuco also has a significant number of historical and cultural interest museums . On city outskirts, national parks, volcanoes and mountains are ideal settings for outdoor recreation.

History and nature, Temuco has everything for visitor.

How to get there

By plane. There are direct flights from Arturo Merino Benitez airport in Santiago to Maquehue airport in Temuco (1 hour).

By Bus. Daily buses departures  from Santiago to Temuco (9 hours).

Being a major city in Chile, many companies offer trips to and from Temuco in cities across the country and Argentina.

By Car. From Santiago, on 5 sur route (676 km).

Activities and Attractions

If you want to discover history of Mapuche and La Araucania, nothing better than touring Temuco Regional Museum, located in an old colonial house declared a National Historic Landmark. This museum has a collection of three thousand objects comprising paintings, photographs and archaeological pieces of La Araucania.

At Pablo Neruda National Railway Museum its trains rescued most vivid testimony of early development of Temuco and La Araucania. Declared National Historic Landmark in 1989, the old railway station was for decades the steam traction center operating in southern Chile.

This museum is made up of four buildings: the Carbonera, which stores up to 3,000 tons of coal, the Maestranza, for machinery repair, the Administration, which currently works as an art gallery, and the powerhouse.

The tourist train of La Araucania, activity of Pablo Neruda National Railway Museum, rescues a traditional route of the golden age of steam trains between Victoria and Temuco. The steam locomotive that makes the journey was made in first half of 20th century. Travel dates are announced in museum's website: www.museoferroviariotemuco.cl

For adrenaline and outdoors lovers, there is a possibility of hang-gliding Temuco city, coming from Maria Luisa hill, 5 minutes from downtown.

Portal Temuco mall is the largest shopping center in southern Chile. Is located at Alemania avenue, main axis of Temuco, offers a wide variety of stores with domestic and foreign brands. All at level of a big city like capital of La Araucania.

Finally, you can not leave Temuco without visiting the Municipal Market. Hundreds of small craft and gift shops mingle with restaurants aromas offering a varied and attractive local cuisine. Dishes at good prices as marine pans, fish, casseroles, corn pie and humitas (grated and baked corn, seasoned with onions and wrapped by cobs leaves) tempt visitor who passes through their colorful hallways.