Malleco Lagoon among forest in Tolhuaca National Park

Chile · Tolhuaca National Park · Laguna Malleco · Salto Malleco

Where to stay in Tolhuaca: hot springs, araucarias and cabins

Where to stay to visit Tolhuaca National Park and its hot springs: cabins in Curacautín or by the springs, getting there from Concepción and when to go.

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Photo: Yiyo Zamorano · CC BY-SA 4.0

In short: where to stay in Tolhuaca

By Martín Bastias· Reviewed: November 2026

Tight budget: Curacautín — guesthouse or cabin
Mid-range: Roads into the mountains — cabin with a wood stove
Treat yourself: By the hot springs — hotel or spa cabin
Best time: Summer (December to March): Trails among araucarias, Laguna Malleco and the Malleco waterfall, with the park open.
Getting there: From Concepción it is about 4 hours by car, on Route 5 and via Curacautín or Victoria.

Key facts

Tolhuaca National Park: ≈ 6,374 hectaressource
Malleco waterfall: ≈ 49 m dropsource
By car from Temuco: ≈ 2 h 5 min
By car from Los Ángeles (Biobío): ≈ 2 h 35 min
By car from Chillán: ≈ 3 h 45 min

Drive times calculated with real OpenStreetMap routes, without traffic or stops.

Worth it

Why go to Tolhuaca

A little-known park

Araucarias, Laguna Malleco and a 49 m waterfall, with far fewer visitors than Conguillío.

Hot springs deep in the mountains

The Tolhuaca hot springs, surrounded by forest and snow in winter, are a getaway in themselves.

An araucaria route

From Curacautín it combines with Malalcahuello and Conguillío on one trip.

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Where to stay in Tolhuaca by budget

The scores you will see come from guests who booked and stayed there. We take you to the search for each area; once there, sort by "Price (lowest first)" or "Guest review score" to compare with real data.

Curacautín

Tight budget

Curacautín

guesthouse or cabin

More choice and low prices.

See places to stay in Curacautín

Roads into the mountains

Best balance

Mid-range

Roads into the mountains

cabin with a wood stove

Nature closer to the springs.

See places to stay in Curacautín

By the hot springs

Treat yourself

By the hot springs

hotel or spa cabin

Hot springs steps away, deep in the mountains.

See places to stay in Termas de Tolhuaca

Reviews from guests who actually stayed
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Live prices

Map of places to stay in Tolhuaca

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Why Tolhuaca

Tolhuaca National Park is one of the least-known corners of Araucanía: araucarias, Laguna Malleco, the Malleco waterfall and hot springs deep in the mountains. A long getaway from Concepción that combines very well with Malalcahuello and Conguillío.

How to choose

Hot springs: stay by the springs.
Tight budget: Curacautín.
Araucaria route: Curacautín as a base for Tolhuaca, Malalcahuello and Conguillío.

When to go

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Good time to save
Peak season: pricier and busier
A guide only: varies each year.

Best months to save: Mar, Dec

Check availability for those dates →

Summer (December to March)

Trails among araucarias, Laguna Malleco and the Malleco waterfall, with the park open.

Winter (June to September)

Hot springs surrounded by snow. The road may require chains or close during storms.

Getting there

From Concepción it is about 4 hours by car, on Route 5 and via Curacautín or Victoria.
The last kilometres are gravel; in winter carry chains and check conditions.
The park is run by CONAF (Chile's national park service); check opening hours and open sectors.

Which area to choose

By the hot springs

Best for: hot springs and nature

Places to stay right by the springs, deep in the mountains.

Curacautín

Best for: tight budgets and combining with Malalcahuello and Conguillío

A town with more services and cabins, about an hour from the springs on gravel.

Where to stay

Cabins

Cabins in Curacautín and on the roads into the mountains.

See places to stay in Curacautín

Hotels and guesthouses

A hotel by the springs and guesthouses in Curacautín.

Places to stay near Tolhuaca

Country houses

Houses around Curacautín, for groups.

Houses in Curacautín

Tip: in the search, use the "Property type" filter to see only cabins, chalets or apartments, and sort by price if you want the cheapest options.

On a budget

Tolhuaca on a budget

Hot springs and araucarias without the prices of better-known destinations.

1Sleep in Curacautín and go up to the springs for the day.
2Combine with Malalcahuello and Conguillío on the same trip.
3Shop and fill up the tank in Curacautín.
4Avoid the July winter holidays and long weekends.

See places to stay in Curacautín

Sources and how we made this guide

A researched guide, not visited in person: we use official sources (parks, ski areas, local tourism), maps and real routes. We do not publish our own prices or reviews: prices and reviews come live from the booking platforms. Who writes

FAQ

Where to stay in Tolhuaca on a tight budget?

In Curacautín: guesthouse or cabin. More choice and low prices.

Where to stay in Tolhuaca on a mid-range budget?

In Roads into the mountains: cabin with a wood stove. Nature closer to the springs.

Where to stay in Tolhuaca for a treat?

In By the hot springs: hotel or spa cabin. Hot springs steps away, deep in the mountains.

How long does it take from Concepción to Tolhuaca?

About 4 hours by car, with the last kilometres on gravel.

Where should I stay to visit Tolhuaca?

By the springs to be in the mountains, or in Curacautín to save money.

Is there an entrance fee?

Tolhuaca National Park is run by CONAF and may charge an entrance fee. Check current fees.

Can I go in winter?

Yes, but the road may require chains or close. Check conditions before you go.

Tolhuaca

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