Futaleufú is a small town in Chile's Los Lagos Region, in northern Patagonia, about 10 km from the Argentine border, known worldwide for rafting on the turquoise Futaleufú River, with class IV and V rapids. Chile Travel ranks it among the three best rivers in the world for the sport. The season runs from October to April, with the peak from December to March.
*Updated on November 4, 2026.* Season, rapids and transport data come from Chile Travel (article of February 3, 2026); rafting prices from the sections listed on Tur.com on November 4, 2026; and weather from the Futaleufú Aerodrome station of the Chilean Meteorological Office. Prices change: confirm them when you book.
Key facts about the town and the river
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Palena Province, Los Lagos Region, about 10 km from the Argentine border | Wikipedia and Chile Travel |
| Town altitude | About 350 m above sea level | Wikipedia |
| River | Futaleufú, turquoise water, class IV and V rapids | Chile Travel |
| Season | October to April; peak December to March | Chile Travel |
| Nearby protected area | Futaleufú National Reserve (Conaf) | Chile Travel |
| Border crossing | Paso Futaleufú, toward Trevelin and Esquel (Chubut, Argentina) | Chilean Customs |
Rafting the Futaleufú River: sections, prices and minimum age
The river flows in from Argentina with a big volume and a turquoise color that comes from the lakes that feed it. Local outfitters run half-day trips, full-day trips and multi-day expeditions. If you have never done whitewater rafting, start with a short guided section with safety kayakers.
| Trip | Duration | Rapids | Listed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridge to Bridge section | Half day | Depends on outfitter | From CLP 75,000 per person |
| Bridge to Macal section (over 15 km, Más o Menos and Casa de Piedra rapids) | 4 hours | Class II to V+ | No online price; quote on request |
| Full day from the Río Azul sector | 6 hours | Class III to V+ | No online price; quote on request |
| Standard guided trip | Varies | Class IV and V | About US$110 (Chile Travel reference) |
| 9-day camping expedition (US outfitter) | 9 days | Class IV and V | From US$5,750 in 2026-2027 |
Sources: Tur.com, checked on November 4, 2026; Chile Travel; and the 2026-2027 rate published by Earth River Expeditions. The Tur.com trips require age 14 or older and include wetsuit, life jacket, helmet, windbreaker, neoprene shoes and a snack, with a guide, safety kayakers and catarafts. Photos and videos cost extra.
Before paying, check that the outfitter is registered with Sernatur, that the guides hold swiftwater rescue certification and that the trip has safety kayaks. We explain it in detail in what to check before booking adventure tourism.
How to get to Futaleufú
Futaleufú is far from everything, and that is part of its appeal. From Chile you drive the Carretera Austral (Route 7) to Villa Santa Lucía and then take the road up to the town. From Argentina, the shortest way in is the Futaleufú border crossing, from Trevelin and Esquel, which has an airport.
| From | How | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Montt | Ferry to Chaitén | 10 to 12 hours; from US$53 |
| Chaitén | Bus or car along the Carretera Austral and the Futaleufú turnoff | About 4 hours |
| Esquel or Trevelin (Argentina) | Via the Futaleufú crossing | The shortest route; depends on the crossing's hours |
| Coyhaique (south) | Carretera Austral northbound | A full day's drive with gravel sections |
Source: Chile Travel. There are unpaved stretches and roadworks on the Carretera Austral: before you go, check the roadworks and trip-planning platform. The Futaleufú crossing was listed as open 9:00 to 20:00 by the Argentine site Ruta0, which warns that its information is not updated daily; confirm the status on pasosfronterizos.gob.cl on the day.
Futaleufú weather month by month
The weather in Futaleufú is temperate and very rainy in winter, but summers are drier and warmer than many people expect in Patagonia. The 1991-2020 normals for the aerodrome station give average highs of 24 °C in January and February, and about 2,070 mm of rain a year, concentrated between May and August.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.9 °C | 8.3 °C | 103.5 |
| February | 24.0 °C | 7.5 °C | 67.7 |
| March | 21.9 °C | 5.3 °C | 114.2 |
| April | 17.7 °C | 3.2 °C | 173.6 |
| July | 8.1 °C | -1.0 °C | 257.6 |
| October | 17.7 °C | 2.9 °C | 151.8 |
| November | 19.9 °C | 4.7 °C | 124.8 |
| December | 22.2 °C | 6.6 °C | 113.1 |
Source: 1991-2020 climate normals for the Futaleufú Aerodrome station, Chilean Meteorological Office. The station's records on Meteochile reach 37.0 °C in December and -11.2 °C in July 2007, so pack warm clothes even in summer: nights drop below 10 °C.
What to do besides rafting
- Kayaking: calm sections for learning and rapids for experts, according to Chile Travel.
- Fly fishing: in the river and in lakes Lonconao and Espolón, for trout and salmon.
- Hiking and horseback riding in the Futaleufú National Reserve: trails with waterfalls and viewpoints; the best known are Piedra del Águila, Laguna Tronador and Laguna Pinilla.
- Birdwatching: Andean condors soar over the reserve's hills.
- Combine it with other parks on the road: Queulat National Park lies further south on the Carretera Austral.
When to go: the best time of year
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| October and November | Spring; high water from snowmelt, ideal for demanding rafting; fewer people |
| December to March | Peak season; long days, highs of 22 to 24 °C and the widest choice of trips |
| April | End of season; more rain and cold, some outfitters close |
| May to September | Rainy, cold winter; almost no tourist rafting |
Sources: Chile Travel and the Chilean Meteorological Office. If you are planning a longer trip in the south, see our guide on when to visit Chile by region and our first-time guide to Chilean Patagonia.
Frequently asked questions
How much does rafting in Futaleufú cost?
The short Bridge to Bridge section is listed from CLP 75,000 per person on Tur.com (November 4, 2026), and Chile Travel gives about US$110 as a reference for a guided trip. Multi-day expeditions cost over US$5,000.
Do I need experience to raft the Futaleufú?
Not for guided half-day sections, but the river has class IV and V rapids. The listed trips require age 14 or older and good health. Leave the hardest sections to experienced rafters.
What is the weather like in Futaleufú in January?
Mild: average highs of 23.9 °C and lows of 8.3 °C, with about 100 mm of rain in the month, according to the 1991-2020 normals of the Chilean Meteorological Office.
Can you cross into Argentina from Futaleufú?
Yes, via the Futaleufú crossing toward Trevelin and Esquel. Check the hours and status on the day at pasosfronterizos.gob.cl and carry a valid passport or ID.
