I did the race this past January, wow, hard but fun time.
My suggestion is, go with EST, it was great! This is not an easy race to get to. The city of Pucon has an airport (if that's what you call it), I think I have a picture of the little shack that's the terminal. The problem is, there is limited flights into the airport during this time frame. I think they only have flights once or twice a week and that's it. EST booked me to the Temuco airport via Santiago which was an hour and half via private bus charter to Pucon. They booked the hotel as well, the race starts from the hotel's beach area. It's a one minute walk to transition area. You get breakfast and lunch. Plus they have the transportation back to Temuco for your flight home.
The city is really cool, it's like a mini ski resort area, lot's of sidewalk cafes and shops, very friendly.
Pre-race EST gets you out on the course to see what you expect.
The people in the group have many options and you can do whatever you want. We went out in small groups and big groups to dinners.
The night after the race, we went out for dinner. Some of us then went to the disco for the post race party. We got left the bar at 3:30 AM. We got up at 6:00 AM so we could go climb the local volcano, a tour that EST arranged. That was awesome, even the day after the race. After the climb, we got home went to dinner and then headed out to the thermal hot springs, that was at 10:30 PM, we go home at 2:00 AM. They had other activities you could choose from or just stick around the hotel. It was totally up to you. One of the days post race we did like a 30-35 mile leisure bike ride to a different city which was cool.
If you have specific question just ask.
That was my 3rd trip with them, I did IM Brazil and IM Switzerland with them as well.
You can booking everything yourself, but if this is your first time that might be a little difficult. For example, if you get a flgith to Temuco yourself, once you land you have to book your own transportation down to Pucon, and then make sure you have a ride back to the airport. The pros and most of the foreign athletes stay at this hotel. There are other smaller places as well as hostels.
Don't worry, I don't work for them or get a commission, I've just enjoyed my trips with them. We are planning a trip with them next year to one of the IM races.
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Edited by trinick67 2008-05-13 5:19 PM