Caburgua Lake and the Eyes of Caburgua
Caburgua Lake, sometimes misspelled Caburga, is a lake in Chile located 23 kilometers northwest of the city of Pucón, in the La Araucanía Region northeast of Lake Villarrica. Like Lake Villarrica, it is part of Toltén River’s basin.
The Huerquehue National Park is located at the East of the lake. Lake Caburgua has two main beaches: Playa Blanca and Playa Negra, names given by the respective color of each beach’s sand. Caburgua has been chosen as a place of holiday residence by various public figures, such as President of Chile Michelle Bachelet, and former President of the Republic Sebastián Piñera, among others.
During 1997 the Chilean TV series "Green Gold" was recorded here.
Caburgua Lake is a major attraction for tourists, who come to the lake mainly during the summer (December to Local February).
Caburgua Lake Stats
| Lake Name | Caburgua Lake |
| Country | Chile |
| Surface area | 49.010 |
| Average depth | 80.0 |
| Lake type | Glacial |
| Catchment area | 368.20 |
| Altitude | 470.0 |
| Volume | 3.922 |
| Inflows | Blanco River |
| Outflows | Ojos del Caburgua, an underground outflow |
| Shore length | 42.09 |
| Settlements | Caburgua |
| Residence time | 2685.6 |
| Average discharge | 16.904 |
Geography and Hydrography
The lakes of the Araucanía distinguish themselves for their enduring crystallinity due to underground drains, which during the winter, clear the water of toxins received during the summer. Since the lake’s origin is volcanic, the water is warmer here, about 6° C more than in the neighboring lakes, possibly due to thermal springs..
Lake Caburgua’s catchment area is small and the lake has few tributaries. Native forests abound on its shores, and they are protected. The region is sparsely populated and not affected by agriculture, which allows Lake Caburgua to maintain its transparency and purity. It is one of the last Chilean lakes unspoilt by algae.
Flora and Fauna
There are 3 beautiful protected areas on the shores of Lake Caburgua. To the East, there are the Huerquehue National Park and Hualalafquen National Reserve, topped by snowcapped Sollipulli flashing on the horizon at sunset. To the West, the Villarrica National Reserve is located.
If you are lucky, you may see the majestic condor flying or spot the footprints of a puma. The lake is abundant in fish, crustaceans and molluscs. Wild boars and European red deer have also made their appearance.
The Laguna del Espejo (Espejo Lagoon) in the northern part of the lake, is a remarkable ornithological site. Native and migratory birds can be spotted here. There is a great natural diversity here, with rare and valuable species among which many are endangered.
During the first months of 2007 the Lake Caburgua Foundation was founded to protect, recover and preserve the heritage of the lake.
Tourist Attractions
Lake Caburgua is recognized by both domestic and foreign tourists as an incredibly beautiful lake, due to its clarity and the surrounding nature. The beauty of the lake and its proximity to Argentina has opened an increasing flow of visitors to both countries, strengthening tourism.
The sector "La Puntilla" is the place where two rivers meet, and has special areas for camping. You can also visit a Mapuche settlement called Kui-Kui, where you can learn more about this ethnic group.
Ojos del Caburgua (Eyes of Caburgua)
One of the main attractions of the area are the Ojos del Caburgua, a small pond with waterfalls and incredible blue water. Water comes from an underground outlet of Lake Caburgua.