Happy TravellerWelcome to Temuco, a vibrant city located in the heart of the Araucanía Region in southern Chile. Founded in 1881 as a fort during Chile’s invasion of Araucanía, Temuco has grown into a bustling hub for tourism, agriculture, livestock, and forestry operations, as well as a center for communication and trade. The city’s central location provides easy access to the Andean valleys, lakes, and coastal areas, making it an ideal base for exploring the region’s natural beauty.
Temuco is also a university town, home to two large universities, the University of the Frontier and Temuco Catholic University. This rich academic environment has produced many notable alumni, including Nobel laureates Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda, who both lived in Temuco for some time.
The name Temuco comes from the Mapudungun language, meaning ‘temu water.’ Temu is the common name for two native trees of the family Myrtaceae, Luma apiculata (also known as arrayán in Spanish) and Blepharocalyx cruckshanksii. Both species are characterized by their orange-reddish bark and aromatic fruits and leaves, which are commonly used for medicinal purposes by the Mapuche people, the indigenous inhabitants of the region.
Despite its rapid growth, Temuco has managed to preserve its cultural heritage and diverse population. The city has a significant Mapuche population, as well as numerous German immigrant colonies. This unique blend of cultures is reflected in the city’s architecture, cuisine, and traditions.
Temuco’s geography is equally impressive, situated in a valley between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes to the east. The city’s placement corresponds to Cautín River-originated fluvial land masses that developed in a crushed form between two hills, Ñielol (350m) and Conunhueno (360m). The Ñielol Hill is particularly noteworthy, housing the original temperate forest of the area as it was before the Spanish colonized it. This natural monument is a protected area and holds a special meaning for the Mapuche people living in the region, as it houses a ceremonial area called La Patagua.
With an oceanic climate, Temuco experiences a distinct drier summer period, receiving just enough precipitation to avoid a Mediterranean climate classification. The city’s mean annual temperature is 13 °C (55 °F), with a highest median during the warmest month of 23.5 °C (74 °F) and lowest median during the coldest month of 3.5 °C (38 °F). Air pollution is a recurrent problem during autumn and winter, as burning wood is the primary source of heat during the cold months.
Temuco is accessible by bus, collective taxi, and private transport. The city also has a commercial airport, La Araucanía Airport, located to the south of the city. The railroad connects Temuco with Victoria to the north and points in between. The city does not have a rapid transit rail system, but long-haul buses run from the Terminal Rodoviario de la Araucania. The recent proliferation of bike lanes has placed transportation by bicycle as an emerging trend, with 35 km (22 mi) of bike lanes expected to be operative by 2017.
When in Temuco, be sure to visit the Central Market, one of the best places to get Mapuche crafts and artifacts. The Feria Pinto is also a must-visit, offering fresh fruits and vegetables in a colorful and lively environment. Alemania Avenue is the city’s principal artery, where you can find numerous restaurants, nightclubs, pubs, bistros, pharmacies, boutiques, banks, supermarkets, and two shopping malls. The Anibal Pinto Square is the core of downtown Temuco and the only main square in Chile that was not built with a water fountain in its center. Compared to other main squares of southern Chile, Temuco’s looks very modern and was named one of Chile’s most beautiful plazas.
Come and experience the unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and academic excellence that Temuco has to offer. We guarantee
