Cabinola
ES
Snow-covered Lonquimay Volcano above forest near Malalcahuello

Chile · Corralco · Lonquimay Volcano · Malalcahuello National Reserve

Where to stay in Malalcahuello and Corralco: cabins

Where to stay near Corralco: Malalcahuello cabins, Curacautín for lower prices or Lonquimay, plus when to go for snow and monkey-puzzle forests and how to save.

See options for my budget

Photo: TRTPUWU · CC BY-SA 4.0

Got dates? See what is available:

Decide in 30 seconds

Where to stay in Malalcahuello & Corralco by budget

The scores you will see come from guests who booked and stayed there. We take you to a search that is already sorted and filtered by a minimum rating, so you compare with real data.

Tight budget

Curacautín

a self-catering cabin or apartment

More choice, supermarkets and lower prices, 30 minutes away.

Cheapest with good ratings
Best balance
Mid-range

Malalcahuello

a forest cabin

The natural base for Corralco, at good value.

Best value
Treat yourself

Road to Corralco

a lodge or hotel by the snow

As close to the slopes as it gets, among araucarias.

Top rated by guests
  • Reviews from guests who actually stayed
  • No extra cost for booking through us
  • Book and pay on the official platform

Why Malalcahuello

Malalcahuello is snow with araucarias: the Corralco ski area, on the slopes of Lonquimay Volcano, has runs with views of volcanoes and monkey-puzzle forests you will not see anywhere else in the world. Beyond the snow, it is the gateway to the Malalcahuello National Reserve and Conguillío National Park.

Most visitors stay in Malalcahuello for its closeness to the snow and forest cabins. Curacautín is the budget alternative with more services, and Lonquimay is for travellers after somewhere more rural beyond the tunnel.

Choosing by type of trip

  • Skiing at Corralco: a cabin in Malalcahuello.
  • Family with kids: a cabin with a hot tub in Malalcahuello, close to the snow and hot springs.
  • Snow and parks in one trip: Curacautín, between Corralco and Conguillío.
  • Tighter budget: Curacautín or Lonquimay, in August or September.

When to go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun❄
Jul❄
Aug❄
Sep❄
Oct
Nov
Dec
  • Good time to save
  • Peak season: pricier and busier
  • ❄ Usual snow season
  • A guide only: varies each year.

Winter (June to October)

Corralco, on the slopes of Lonquimay Volcano, usually has a long season among monkey-puzzle (araucaria) forests. The July winter holidays are the busiest; August and September usually combine good snow with fewer people.

Summer (December to March)

Hiking among araucarias, Conguillío National Park, waterfalls near Curacautín and hot springs. A quieter, cheaper alternative to other southern destinations in high season.

Getting there

  • From Temuco, via Lautaro and Curacautín, it is about two hours by car to Malalcahuello.
  • Buses run from Temuco to Curacautín and Malalcahuello. To reach Corralco or move between parks, a car or transfer gives far more freedom.
  • In winter carry chains: the road to Corralco and the Las Raíces tunnel area may require them with snow or ice.

Which area to choose

Malalcahuello

Best for: families and groups who want a cabin close to the snow

A small mountain village surrounded by forest, a few kilometres from the ski area. Home to most of the cabins and some lodges, with basic services.

Road to Corralco

Best for: staying as close to the slopes as possible

A few places to stay on the road up Lonquimay Volcano. Less driving on snowy days, in exchange for less choice and higher prices.

Curacautín

Best for: tight budgets and combining with Conguillío

The nearest town, with supermarkets and more, cheaper places to stay. Well placed for Conguillío and the waterfalls, about 30 minutes from Malalcahuello.

Lonquimay

Best for: travellers after somewhere rural and off the beaten track

Beyond the Las Raíces tunnel, a valley of steppe and araucarias with simple, inexpensive places to stay.

Where to stay

Cabins and lodges

The typical Malalcahuello stay: wooden cabins with stoves in the forest, several with a wood-fired hot tub.

Cabins in MalalcahuelloCabins in Curacautín

Apartments and guesthouses

Few, and mostly in Curacautín. Handy if you are travelling solo or as a couple and do not need a whole cabin.

Apartments in Curacautín

Country houses

Rural houses and plots between Curacautín and Lonquimay, for groups and longer stays.

Houses in Lonquimay

On a budget

Malalcahuello on a budget

It is one of the most accessible snow destinations in the south, and with a little planning it can be even cheaper.

  1. 1Avoid the July winter holidays: August and September usually have good snow and cheaper cabins.
  2. 2Stay in Curacautín, with more choice and lower prices, and go up to the snow only on ski days.
  3. 3Shop in Curacautín before heading up: Malalcahuello has few shops and higher prices.
  4. 4Alternate ski days with hikes among araucarias, which are free or cheap.
  5. 5Rent a self-catering cabin with others; it is the biggest saving per person.
  6. 6Look for half-day or weekday tickets on the ski area's website.
Best-value cabins in MalalcahuelloBest-value stays in Curacautín

FAQ

Where to stay in Malalcahuello & Corralco on a tight budget?

In Curacautín: a self-catering cabin or apartment. More choice, supermarkets and lower prices, 30 minutes away.

Where to stay in Malalcahuello & Corralco on a mid-range budget?

In Malalcahuello: a forest cabin. The natural base for Corralco, at good value.

Where to stay in Malalcahuello & Corralco for a treat?

In Road to Corralco: a lodge or hotel by the snow. As close to the slopes as it gets, among araucarias.

Where should I stay to ski Corralco?

In Malalcahuello, which has the most cabins a few minutes from the ski area. To spend less, Curacautín is about 30 minutes away and cheaper.

Which places are closest to Corralco?

The lodges and cabins on the road up from Malalcahuello towards Lonquimay Volcano are the closest. Malalcahuello village is a few kilometres away and has the most cabins.

Are Malalcahuello and Corralco worth it in summer?

Yes. Summer brings hiking among araucarias, Conguillío National Park, waterfalls and hot springs, with fewer people than other southern destinations.

Do I need chains to get there?

In winter it is wise to always carry them. The road to Corralco and the Las Raíces tunnel area may require them with snow or ice.

Malalcahuello & Corralco

See by budget
See prices