South America
Welcome Kit
Chile
Puerto Varas & Montt
Welcome to southern Chile!
Discover its unique scenic beauty and the cultural heritage of its native peoples.
Located in the Lakes and Volcanoes Region, Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas are emblematic cities of Chile. They have magic wherever you look at them and can be enjoyed both day and night.
Highlights
The Chilean Lake District is a zone in Southern Chile defined by its many lakes in the Andean foothills. The term is primarily used in tourism literature and advertising, in Chile Zona Sur is preferred as a geographical concept. The Chilean Lake District includes the cities of Temuco, Villarrica, Pucón, Valdivia, Entre Lagos (Puyehue), Puerto Octay, Frutillar, Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt.
General Facts
Puerto Varas, also known as “La ciudad de las rosas” or “the city of roses”, is a city and commune located in the southern Chilean province of Llanquihue, in the Los Lagos Region.
The city is famous for its German traditions, its natural environment, and its popularity as a tourist destination. It enjoys a scenic location close to mountains, lakes, forests and national parks. It is located 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the city of Puerto Montt on the shore of Llanquihue Lake, the second largest lake in Chile. The conical Osorno Volcano and the snowcapped peaks of Mt. Calbuco and Mt. Tronador are clearly visible from the lakefront. Puerto Varas is the southernmost of a string of towns on the western shore of Llanquihue Lake that includes Frutillar, Llanquihue and Puerto Octay.
Puerto Montt is a port city and commune in southern Chile, located at the northern end of the Reloncaví Sound in the Llanquihue Province, Los Lagos Region, 1,055 km to the south of the capital, Santiago. The commune spans an area of 1,673 km2 (646 sq mi) and had a population of 175,938 in 2002. It is bounded by the communes of Puerto Varas to the north, Cochamó to the east and southeast, Calbuco to the southwest and Maullín and Los Muermos to the west.
Founded as late as 1853 during the German colonization of southern Chile, Puerto Montt soon outgrew older neighboring cities due to its strategic position at the southern end of the Chilean Central Valley being a gateway city into Chiloé Archipelago, Llanquihue and Nahuel Huapi lakes and Western Patagonia.
Puerto Montt has gained renown and grown significantly due to the rise of Chile as the second largest salmon producer of the world during the 1990s and 2000s.
Map Location
Documentation
A valid Passport. Insurance information.
Most countries in America and Western Europe do not require a visa.
Click for more information
Best Time to Go
The best months for good weather in Puerto Varas are January, February, March, November and December. There for the busiest month for tourism is January, followed by March and November.
On average, the warmest months are January, February, March and December. The coldest months are July and August.
The rainiest months are May, June, July and August.
Clothing
Get ready for your adventure with these essentials:
- Thick and wind-resistant jacket (Gore-Tex or fleece are ideal).
- Walking or trekking shoes, and plenty of socks.
- Gloves, hat, and/or earmuffs to protect your ears from the wind.
- Trekking pants, sweater, and fleece to stay comfortable.
- Sunscreen, cap, lip balm, and sunglasses for the radiant sun.
- Swimsuit for enjoying pools and the spa sauna.
- Binoculars for wildlife observation and a camera to capture the surroundings.
- A small bag or backpack to carry the basics on archipelago excursions.
Ready for adventure!
Healthcare
Packing
Chilean flights allow, as their restrictions are limited to 50 pounds (23 kg) per person.
Currency
Peso Chileno.
Major credit cards are widely accepted.
Electricity
The electrical voltage is 220 volts, 50 cycles (220V 50Hz). Therefore, devices designed for 110V should use a transformer. Travel appliances and laptops usually come with an auto voltage transformer (110V-240V) that adapts to Chilean electricity.
Local Taxes
Foodie
The gastronomy of Puerto Varas has a strong German influence in its preparations, especially in the confectionery, and is recognized for its cakes, cakes, cookies, handmade chocolates, and fruit jams from the area, such as strawberries and murta.
Its delicious preparations of fish and shellfish also stand out, especially the salmon that is brought from Puerto Montt. Dishes with meats such as beef, lamb, pork and also some more exotic ones, including deer and wild boar, are famous.
The German influence is also found in other preparations such as excellent quality craft beers and rich European-style hams and sausages. Cheeses and preserves are other delicacies that can be tasted in this area.
If you want to try the best of German pastries, it is worth a tour of the different cafes in the city center, where you can enjoy hot chocolate with a piece of kuchen or tea with a sandwich accompanied by ham and German sauces.
Frutillar, Puerto Octay and Petrohué also offer attractive preparations, especially sweets and chocolates. Be sure to try a breakfast with kneaded bread and egg to start the day full of energy.
Foodie Advice >>
Get suggestions from foodies around South America. Click title to read more!
Activities
Like all Patagonia, Puerto Varas has a wide number of activities and places to visit, here we will show you some:
Llanquihue Lake
It is the second largest freshwater lake in Chile, of glacial origin, with 877 km2, reaching a maximum depth of 350 meters. There is a road that allows you to completely surround the lake, where you can visit Ensenada, Las Cascadas, the city of Puerto Octay and Frutillar. From Puerto Varas it is possible to enjoy fun boat trips to navigate the lake and enjoy a panoramic view of the city and volcanoes.
Petrohue River Falls
Located in the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, 53 km. east of Puerto Varas, it is one of the most important tourist attractions. They were formed by lava flows emanating from eruptions of the Osorno Volcano, which when they came into contact with the water of the Petrohue River, solidified and transformed into basalt rock. To get to the viewpoint, the walk is 350 meters, of minimal difficulty, where you will also find handicrafts and restrooms.
Osorno Volcano
With its 2,661 meters, it is the icon of Puerto Varas. Active volcano that recorded its last eruption in 1834-35. Its top is covered by a glacier that allows you to see its snowy summit all year round. It has the Osorno Volcano Ski and Mountain Center with 8 slopes and 2 sections of chairlifts, as well as its cafeteria-restaurant. You can also visit El Teski Refugio de Montaña where accommodation and restaurant services are offered.
Some of the activities, in addition to skiing, that you can do are:
Horseback riding. Going through the green meadows or going into the paths of the forests of the national park, all while riding a horse, is one of the unforgettable experiences that you can enjoy in Puerto Varas. This activity is suitable for everyone, without the need to have previous experience.
Sport fishing. This sport allows you to enjoy the tranquility of nature in the forests of southern Chile, where you can catch the different specimens of salmon and trout that inhabit the lakes and rivers of the area. You can take fishing excursions for the day, with instructors who will teach beginners the different techniques and modalities of fishing. Lake Llanquihue, Ralún and the Maullín and Petrohue rivers are considered a paradise for fishermen who come from all over the world.
Mountain bike. One of the adventures that allows the freedom to travel long distances on different types of roads, enjoying views of the sea, lakes, rivers and lagoons, or the solitude of the forests of the national park, are the adventures on Mountain Bike.
Canopy. For adventurers, this activity, which consists of moving from tree to tree, hanging from a cable, held by a harness, allows them to reach great speed, generating the sensation of really being able to fly. This activity can be done in places like Ensenada with 14 platforms and 2,000 meters of cable, Peulla with 10 platforms and 1,300 meters of cable, and finally in Puerto Varas with a canopy of 7 platforms and 700 meters of cable.
Rafting and Kayaking. The magnificent rivers in the area are the ideal place to carry out one of the most exciting activities such as Rafting. The environment of evergreen forests and the great flow of waters allow you to merge with nature and feel the adrenaline to the maximum. The Petrohué River is the quintessential place to practice this sport, where the force of the water generates grade III and IV rapids, depending on the time of year, making it suitable as a family outing for children over 13 years of age.
Other of the most special ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the area is kayaking, where these small boats allow you to contemplate the wonderful landscapes of the sea and lakes crowned by majestic mountains, explore the lagoons and rivers to enjoy their tranquility or the stream of its waters. These tours are possible in maritime areas such as the Reloncaví Estuary in the Ralún area, as well as in Lake Llanquihue and different rivers such as the Petrohué.