Over the past decade-plus, comfortable Hospedaje Sonia (Lincoyán 485, tel. 045/441269, www.myhostelpucon.com/sonia, US$12 pp, US$28 d without breakfast) has become an international gathering place, offering good-value accommodations with kitchen privileges and also arranging its own tours of local highlights. The more expensive rooms have cable TV and private bath.

In a quiet site only about 100 meters north of the Tur-Bus terminal, Swiss-run Hospedaje Travel Pucón (Blanco Encalada 190, tel. 045/444093, pucontravel [at] terra [dot] cl, US$11 pp–US$26 d) has spacious rooms with kitchen privileges; breakfast costs US$4.50 extra. For about US$20–35, it also offers massage options ranging from reiki to Thai.

More than just a comfy bed, Hostería ¡Ecole! (General Urrutia 592, tel. 045/441675, fax 045/441660, www.ecole.cl, US$11–19 pp with shared bath, US$43 d with private bath) has become a destination in itself. Owned and operated by a committed cooperative of Chilean and international environmental activists, it provides informally stylish B&B-style accommodations with shared bath (breakfast costs extra but is well worth it). In addition, it has an exceptional but moderately priced, mostly vegetarian restaurant, a bar, and a book exchange; operates its own excursions; and provides information and advice to independent travelers. On the downside, it’s become so popular that reservations are essential in summer, and not a bad idea the rest of the year. The cheapest choice is backpacker bunks for which you need your own sleeping bag.

Residencial Lincoyán (Lincoyán 323, tel. 045/441144, www.lincoyan.cl, US$15 pp with shared bath) is a plain but friendly family-style place with good beds but no other amenities.

It’s a little ragged in some aspects—the rooms have irregular shapes, for instance, and the bathroom linoleum undulates across the floor—but family-run Refugio Península (Holzapfel 11, tel. 045/443398, www.refugiopeninsula.cl, US$23 pp) compensates with coziness and a quiet lakeshore location.

Alongside ¡Ecole!, under new management, the more subdued Hostal La Tetera (General Urrutia 580, tel./fax 045/441462, www.tetera.cl, US$24/36 s/d with shared bath, US$47 d with private bath) offers equally stylish, comfortable rooms with good beds and individual reading lights. The walls may be a little thin, but it attracts a quiet clientele and has some of Pucón’s best breakfasts; there’s also a good book exchange.