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Welcome to Puerto Varas, a lakeside metropolis filled with adventures, and considered one of my favourite locations in all of Chile! There are such a lot of cool issues to do in Puerto Varas — from waterfall-visiting and German town-hopping to kayaking, procuring, and having fun with stylish eating places!
My husband and I ended up in Puerto Varas on a little bit of a whim — and it ended up being one of many highlights of our Chile Argentina honeymoon!
What makes Puerto Varas so German? Within the 1850s, Germans had been inspired to maneuver right here to develop the land, and greater than 200 households made the journey. (Word that this was LONG earlier than World Struggle II. These usually are not the identical Germans who fled to Argentina post-World Struggle II.)
We arrived in Los Lagos, Chile’s Lakes Area, after a few days in the Atacama Desert, and WHAT a distinction it was — rolling hills of farmland, old school timber homes, flowers in every single place, and essentially the most lush, sweet-smelling air.
Puerto Varas is perched on Lake Llanquihue, with views of snow-capped volcanoes within the distance. Chileans come right here for the straightforward entry to the outside, in addition to the tradition — so you’ll be able to go laborious or take it sluggish.
I extremely suggest renting a car to get pleasure from all that this area has to supply. However even should you’re coming in by public transit, you’ll discover a lot to like about Puerto Varas. Let’s have a look!
This put up was printed in April 2024 and was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Riana Ang-Canning.
![A man sitting on a bench in the town of Puerto Varas. Flowers bloom on the park around him, while in the distance you can see houses built into the lakeside hills.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-Chile-1024x671.jpg)
Finest Issues To Do in Puerto Varas, Chile
Discover the city middle
There’s heaps to do within the middle of Puerto Varas. Begin by testing two church buildings, Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón, a 1915 Catholic church that overlooks downtown, and Iglesia Lueterana, a 1924 Lutheran church alongside the lake.
In the event you love to buy, Puerto Varas is residence to a lot of small boutiques and secondhand shops. In the event you love thrift procuring as a lot as I do, try Loica Liquidadora, a beloved secondhand clothes retailer. In the event you want sports activities gear, there’s additionally a Patagonia store on the town!
One of many issues that makes Puerto Varas stand out is its fascinating structure. My favourite was Casa Kuschel, one of many oldest homes in Puerto Varas, a gothic masterpiece that the Addams Household would love.
One other is Casa Gotschlich, a historic German residence from the early 1900s. Loads of German-inspired properties and buildings might be seen dotted across the lake.
Talking of German tradition, you’ll additionally wish to bask in some German meals whereas on the town! Germans love their afternoon kaffee und kuchen, or espresso and cake. Right here in Chile, they flip it Spanish and name it kuchenes (KOO-ken-ays)!
![An museum building shaped like a house that has a giant cuckoo clock next to it, a boat built into the side of the house, and two VW vans parked next to it.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Museo-Pablo-Fierro-Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-Chile-1024x768.jpg)
Go to Museo Pablo Fierro
You’ll know Museo Pablo Fierro the second you see it — almost everybody stops and stares. Its quirky exterior — that includes bikes, a large clock, and half a ship — just about calls for you cease in.
Inside you’ll discover a assortment curated by artist Pablo Fierro that showcases the intersection of the native Chilote tradition and the German farmers who immigrated to Puerto Varas within the mid nineteenth Century.
In contrast to in most museums, guests are inspired to play and work together with lots of the artifacts on show.
![A house sitting at the bottom of a tree-covered hill topped with a cross.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cerro-Philippi-Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-Chile-683x1024.jpg)
Stroll or bike Cerro Philippi
Simply north of town middle is Parque Philippi, a lush park providing trails as much as the height of Cerro Philippi. Hikers can take the 0.7 mile (1.1 km) out and again Mirador Cerro Philippi path up the mountain. On a transparent day, you’ll get an excellent view of the volcanoes!
There are additionally numerous bike trails all through the park. They vary in problem degree, so even novice mountain bikers can benefit from the stunning surroundings.
![People sunbathing on a dark gray lake beach in front of a deep blue lake. One guy is in the lake up to his waist. There's a snowy mountain in the distance.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Lake-Llanquihue-Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-Chile-1024x675.jpg)
Calm down on the shores of Lake Llanquihue
Puerto Varas hugs the shores of Lake Llanquihue, Chile’s second largest lake. On a pleasant day, you’ll discover locals and vacationers having fun with a stroll or chilling out with a beer by the water. There’s a little fishing pier known as Muelle Piedralplen with a lot of benches for having fun with the view.
Not plenty of swimming occurs at Lake Llanquihue, as Puerto Varas not often will get heat sufficient for individuals to courageous the water. However should you occur to go to throughout a very sizzling stretch of summer season, get pleasure from a dip!
I used to be in Puerto Varas in early December, Chile’s late spring. It was overcast and lightweight jacket climate till the ultimate day, when the solar got here out, the volcanoes revealed themselves, and some intrepid people jumped into the water!
![A restaurant with people sitting at a wooden bar, and big wood stoves reaching down from the ceiling.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mesa-Tropera-Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-Chile-1024x768.jpg)
Eat at Mesa Tropera
After we advised Chileans we had been coming to Puerto Varas, lots of them stated the identical factor: “You MUST go to Mesa Tropera.” With that many endorsements, we needed to go!
Mesa Tropera is a pizzeria and cervecería (beer bar — and right here it’s a craft brewery). It’s perched proper on the lake, with big home windows overlooking the volcanoes within the distance.
And along with actually good pizza (by far the most effective I had in Chile), additionally they serve fascinating tartares (not simply beef, however salmon, octopus, and artichoke) and fascinating fusion dishes, like Italian pasta dishes with Patagonian lamb. The beers are good, too!
I’ll be sincere — Chilean meals isn’t the best, however Puerto Varas has plenty of good eating places that I loved. Listed here are some I like to recommend:
La Vinoteca — This wine bar and store permits you to purchase your wine at retailer costs, however they’ll open and serve it to you. In addition they have an unbelievable octopus appetizer with roasted potatoes, leeks, and cheese. It’s a bizarre combo, however it works!
La Chalota: In the event you’re on the lookout for a hipster brunch in Puerto Varas, that is the place. They’ve tons of yummy baked items and I extremely suggest their shakshuka.
Japon del Lago: In the event you’re within the temper for Japanese meals — or Peruvian-flavored Nikkei delicacies, widespread in Chile — it is a good sushi spot. We went twice as a result of we beloved their tuna tiradito a lot!
Dharma Coffee: I all the time say wherever I journey I’ve to seek out the most effective espresso on the town. In Puerto Varas, that will be Dharma Espresso, with scrumptious flat whites and good lake views.
![A rushing waterfall with bright teal water. It's surrounded by cliffs topped with yellow flowers, and in the background, a conical snow-capped volcano.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Petrohue-Falls-Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-Chile-1024x683.jpg)
Go to Petrohué Falls
Petrohué Falls (Saltas de Petrohué) is an absolute MUST go to throughout your time in Puerto Varas. These speeding waterfalls are completely gorgeous, particularly on a transparent day, when Osorno Volcano rises completely behind them!
A brief path will take you to those chute-style waterfalls and strolling trails within the space will let you expertise them from totally different viewpoints. We additionally noticed some lovely foxes, who beloved hanging out on the cafe space. (Please don’t feed them. It’s not good for them.)
My high advice is to time your go to for a transparent day — it’s so significantly better when the volcano rises behind the falls.
Petrohué Falls is a few 45-minute drive from Puerto Varas.
![A mountain rising up behind a rushing river surrounded by forest.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Petrohue-Falls-Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-1024x685.jpg)
Go to Parque Nacional Vicente Pérez Rosales
Vicente Pérez Rosales Nationwide Park is Chile’s oldest nationwide park and residential to the well-known Petrohué Falls, fantastically inexperienced Lake Todos los Santos, and the snow-capped Osorno Volcano. In the event you’ve obtained time for extra than simply the falls, visiting the entire nationwide park is usually a blast!
To discover this epic park, you’ll be able to head out on this guided hiking tour. Out of your lodge in Puerto Varas, you’ll drive up into the park, stroll round volcanic craters, get pleasure from a scenic espresso, and hike by way of the forest to the Petrohué River and Emerald Lake.
Or head throughout the nationwide park to the city of Peulla on this day trip. You’ll drive alongside the lake to the city of Ensenada, go to Petrohué Falls and Petrohué River, take a catamaran throughout Todos Los Santos Lake, get pleasure from lunch in Peulla, after which get pleasure from an exercise of your selection within the afternoon, similar to horseback using, fishing or mountaineering.
An alternative choice is a guided bike tour that visits Petrohué Falls, Lago Todos los Santos, and Osorno Volcano.
![An old-fashioned German-looking timber house surrounded by lush gardens with shrubbery.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Frutillar-Chile-Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-Chile-1024x683.jpg)
Spend a day in Frutillar
On the west facet of Lake Llanquihue lies the lovely German city of Frutillar. This small city appears to be like prefer it was plucked straight out of Bavaria! I couldn’t consider we had been nonetheless in Chile.
There are two elements of city — Frutillar Alto and Frutillar Baja — and also you wish to head to Frutillar Bajo, the gorgeous a part of city proper on the lake. You’ll wish to {photograph} all the things in sight!
Admire the beautiful structure, the blooming gardens, the great downtown outlets, and pay a go to to the Frutillar German Colonial Museum. In the event you time your journey proper, you may additionally have the ability to attend the annual Semanas Musicales music pageant, which takes place in late January and early February.
Once you begin to get hungry, I like to recommend Club Alemán de Frutillar, the place we loved a pleasant schnitzel and these unbelievable potatoes with cheese and bacon, together with some German Chilean beer.
And since you should cease to your every day kuchenes, as German Chileans name it, head to Casa Rosalba for kaffee und kuchen. They make scrumptious espresso-based drinks in addition to apple strudel and cheesecake, and you may get pleasure from views from its excessive perch on a hill. It’s cozy and beautiful.
To get to Frutillar from Puerto Varas, you’ll be able to drive (25 minutes), take the bus, or go to as a part of a day tour. This day tour from Puerto Varas stops at each Llanquihue and Frutillar.
![Brightly painted small houses in Puerto Octay, set on an overgrown hillside.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Puerto-Octay-Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-Chile-1024x651.jpg)
Go to different cities on the lake
Frutillar is simply one of many cities round Lake Llanquihue that you just’ll wish to go to when you’re in Puerto Varas. Two different cities you’ll be able to try are Puerto Octay and Llanquihue.
Puerto Octay is splendidly low-key city, simply 45 minutes from Puerto Varas. There’s not a ton to see by way of sights, however it’s a stunning city to stroll round and odor the roses (actually, we walked previous a home with a HUGE rose backyard on the nook of Costanera Pichi Juan and Muñoz Gamero).
In Puerto Octay, simply stroll across the city, together with the large hill with a cemetery overlooking the lake. I extremely suggest lunch at Restaurant Willhause (scrumptious and refined German meals, and I had a terrific salmon) and occasional and cake at Cafe Meson Carpintero. They’d unbelievable cream puffs and doubtless the most effective flat white I had in all of Chile!
You too can go to the city of Llanquihue, which is simply quarter-hour from Puerto Varas. It’s not the prettiest city on the lake, however it’s price a fast cease to see the German historical past and native dairy farms. In the event you’re not driving, you can visit Llanquihue and Frutillar on this half-day tour.
![People whitewaterrafting down a river in Chile.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rafting-Chile-1024x681.jpg)
Go rafting or kayaking
Being within the lakes area of Chile, Puerto Varas is likely one of the greatest locations to expertise water sports activities. In the event you’re feeling adventurous, head out on a rafting tour down Rio Petrohué.
This half-day guided rafting tour could have you navigating by way of Class III rapids as you notice volcanoes within the distance. Need an excellent larger adrenaline rush? This rafting tour consists of Class III and Class IV rapids!
Or should you want one thing a bit extra laidback, you’ll be able to go kayaking. Paddle by way of the plush vegetation and swamp forest of the Maullín River on this kayaking tour or spend half a day kayaking around Laguna La Poza, whose calm waters are excellent for households or newbies.
![Kate and Charlie, in matching Patagonia jackets (his yellow, hers hot pink), standing next to a tall, skinny waterfall surrounded by mossy green cliffs.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Charlie-and-Kate-at-Las-Cascadas-Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-Chile-809x1024.jpg)
Go to Salto Las Cascadas
In the event you’re within the temper for extra waterfalls, pay a go to to Salto Las Cascadas. That is the antithesis of the well-organized Petrohué Falls expertise — it’s only a dust highway to a makeshift car parking zone, adopted by a path by way of the woods, till you attain a waterfall.
You’ll set out on a 30 minute stroll by way of the forest and alongside the speeding Rio Blanco Las Cascadas till you attain a tall, skinny waterfall, excellent for picture ops.
Las Cascadas is on the east shore of Lake Llanquihue, a few 90 minute drive from Puerto Varas. I feel it is smart to go to these falls as half of a bigger journey to the Petrohué Falls and Osorno Volcano, that are additionally east of the lake.
![A tall, snow-capped conical volcano against a bright blue sky.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Osorno-Volcano-Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-Chile-1024x683.jpg)
Expertise the gorgeous Volcán Osorno
Volcán Osorno is likely one of the most lively volcanoes in all of Chile’s Andes Mountains and a definite pure magnificence within the tenth area of Los Lagos. It stands 8,700 ft (2,650 meters) tall and has erupted eleven instances in recorded historical past, most lately in 1869.
Whereas nonetheless thought-about lively, Osorno Volcano is now one of the crucial visited locations within the Lakes area. You’ll be able to go to as a part of this tour seeing both Volcán Osorno and Petrohué Falls, or this tour which includes Osorno Volcano, Calbuco Volcano, and Llanquihue Lake.
In the event you’re feeling actually adventurous you’ll be able to ski on the Osorno Volcano Ski Middle or mountain climb on this overnight guided climbing trip. Climbing an lively volcano is an expertise I feel each journey traveler ought to have! (Although I didn’t do it right here, I did it just a few instances in Sicily.)
![A young man fishing in a clear green river in Chile.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Man-fishing-in-Chile-1024x683.jpg)
Go fishing within the Maullin River
In the event you like to fish, you’ll want to present it a strive within the Lakes Area! In the event you’re seeking to fish close to Puerto Varas, try this private sport fishing tour. From right here, you’ll head out to Llanquihue and fish for brown and rainbow trout on the Maullin River.
Take pleasure in a full day of fishing by way of the mangroves and lunch on the banks of the river. This non-public tour is ideal for fishing fans, households, and teams.
![A lake with mountains rising up behind it in Chile.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Alerce-Andino-National-Park-Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-Chile-1024x683.jpg)
Go to Alerce Andino Nationwide Park
Alerce Andino Nationwide Park is a temperate rainforest recognized for its lakes, wetlands, and alerce bushes that develop over 147 ft (45 meters) tall and 13 ft (4 meters) vast. At slightly over an hour from town of Puerto Varas, Parque Nacional Alerce Andino makes an ideal day journey out in nature.
Be part of this guided day tour to the national park the place a information will take you alongside the paths and share extra concerning the park’s biodiversity.
![Brightly colored houses on stilts in still water in Chiloe, Chile.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Chiloe-Chile-1024x683.jpg)
Go to Chiloé Island
Chiloé Island is a part of an archipelago in southern Chile. The island is known for its historic Jesuit church buildings, which had been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Website, and houses that sit on stilts out within the water.
The Chiloé archipelago can also be a pure paradise recognized for its gorgeous landscapes and fascinating wildlife, together with whales and penguins.
Chiloé has tons of issues to do, particularly should you love the outside, and is healthier visited for just a few days — however it may be achieved as a day journey from Puerto Varas. Simply know that the drive is 3.5 hours every solution to town of Castro. If that’s cool with you, go for it!
You too can visit Chiloé on a guided tour from Puerto Varas, leaving the lengthy day of driving to another person.
![A tall wooden building in Puerto Varas with a few boutiques on the ground floor.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Shopping-Puerto-Varas-Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-Chile-1024x670.jpg)
How A lot Time to Spend in Puerto Varas
I feel three days is sufficient time to discover Puerto Varas and Lake Llanquihue. However should you’re hoping for a extra laid-back and stress-free journey — or should you want a break in the course of a busy Chile itinerary, like me — Puerto Varas is a good place to remain for some time.
I spent nearly per week in Puerto Varas, each sightseeing and getting some work achieved, and it was excellent. I beloved the calm setting, the fabulous eating places, and the truth that costs had been a lot decrease than they had been in Patagonia.
The wonderful thing about Puerto Varas is there’s quite a bit to take action you’re not bored, however you don’t really feel stress to do ALL THE THINGS (like in San Pedro de Atacama). You’ll be able to actually take your time, decelerate, and benefit from the metropolis.
A kind of days must be spent exploring the points of interest across the lake. In a single day, should you had been formidable, you might drive across the lake clockwise and go to Llanquihue, Frutillar, Puerto Octay, Salto Las Cascadas, and Petrohué Waterfalls earlier than coming again to Puerto Varas.
In the event you solely have someday in Puerto Varas altogether, I might spend most of your time within the city and do a facet journey to both Frutillar or Petrohué Falls. You would most likely do each should you began early and ended late (double-check the Petrohué Falls opening hours first, although).
However once more, I actually loved having extra time to calm down in Puerto Varas. I feel you’ll get pleasure from just a few extra days right here, too.
![A tree and flower-filled park on a pier leading out to a bright blue lake.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Park-Puerto-Varas-Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-Chile-1024x683.jpg)
How one can get to Puerto Varas
The easiest way to get to Puerto Varas is to fly into Puerto Montt, rent a car, and drive to town. You’ll be able to fly on to Puerto Montt from different cities in Chile, together with Santiago and Puerto Natales. From Puerto Montt, it’s a 30-minute drive by way of stunning farmland to Puerto Varas.
Personally, I wouldn’t suggest spending a lot if any time in Puerto Montt itself. We visited briefly to select up an Apple Watch charger and had been glad we determined to spend extra of our time in Puerto Varas.
You would additionally go to Puerto Varas as a part of a Chilean highway journey. To the southwest you will have Chiloé Island, recognized for its historic picket church buildings; 4 hours north of Puerto Varas lies Pucón, an excellent place for mountaineering and water sports activities; and to the south, you will have the attractive landscapes of Patagonia!
In the event you’d wish to develop your highway journey to go to extra of South America, you’ll be able to head east previous Cerro Tronador on the border of Argentina to the favored lake city, Bariloche. Bariloche is a 4.5 hour drive from Puerto Varas — although remember that this border crossing can get busy with vacationers making an attempt to go to each Chile and Argentina in a single day.
![A greenhouse in a little German village in Chile surrounded by flowering trees and gardens.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Flower-House-in-Frutillar-Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-Chile-1024x687.jpg)
The place to Keep in Puerto Varas
Listed here are my picks for the most effective locations to remain in Puerto Varas based mostly in your funds:
Prime Rated Luxurious Lodge in Puerto Varas: Hotel AWA is a beautiful, fashionable property with lake and volcano views, complimentary breakfast, and a fire in each room. In addition they have a restaurant, pool, sauna, spa, sizzling tubs, and a hammam on website! Whereas not central on the town, it’s laborious to beat these views!
Prime Rated Mid-range Lodge in Puerto Varas: Hotel Cumbres Puerto Varas provides a compromise between luxurious facilities and a central location, all with stunning views of the lake and mountains. Right here you’ll discover a sizzling tub, sauna, spa and restaurant, all inside strolling distance of among the metropolis’s essential points of interest.
Prime Rated Finances Lodge in Puerto Varas: MaPatagonia Hostel is ideal for funds vacationers on the lookout for slightly attraction. Sleep in a non-public or dorm room on this restored German residence, prepare dinner within the shared kitchen, and calm down within the stunning backyard out again.
Find deals on places to stay in Puerto Varas here.
![A boy standing on a sandy beach in front of a lake.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Boy-on-beach-in-Puerto-Varas-Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-Chile-1024x683.jpg)
Finest Time to Go to Puerto Varas
Excessive season in Chile is from December to March, when the Los Lagos area enjoys essentially the most sunshine and the least rain. Nonetheless, as a result of Puerto Varas is on the sting of Patagonia, it nonetheless experiences among the wild climate the area is thought for.
We visited in December and regardless of it being the start of the height summer season season, we needed to put on our coats most days. We solely had one actually heat day proper on the finish. So even should you go to through the southern hemisphere’s summer season, convey a coat!
Even with the marginally colder climate we skilled, I might nonetheless suggest visiting Puerto Varas on the tail ends of peak season: early December or late March. That approach, you get the most effective likelihood of good climate and barely smaller crowds.
![Kate in a leopard print top and black hiking pants standing on a rock in front of a rushing teal river.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Kate-at-a-river-Things-to-Do-in-Puerto-Varas-Chile-1024x768.jpg)
Is Puerto Varas Value It?
I had an absolute ball in Puerto Varas! This was one of many final locations we added to our itinerary, and I’m so glad we determined to come back right here as an alternative of someplace else in Chile.
In the event you’re on the fence about visiting Puerto Varas and you’re keen on the concept of an journey city on the lake with heaps to discover, I feel you’ll get pleasure from your self right here. Go and have the most effective time!
Extra on Chile:
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Have you ever been to Puerto Varas? Any tricks to share?
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