Puerto VarasPuerto Varas at a Glance
Costs: Moderate budget: $70-140 per day - midrange - lodges, restaurants and guided tours are moderately priced.
Safety: Generally safe for travelers - generally safe for tourists; take normal precautions against petty theft.
Best Time: December-March - southern summer offers warm weather and best outdoor conditions.
Why Visit Puerto Varas?
Framed by Lake Llanquihue and views of Osorno Volcano, this lakeside town is a draw for outdoor lovers and fans of German-influenced Chilean culture. Wooden, alpine-style houses line the waterfront, cafés serve kuchen and smoked salmon, and the lakefront promenade makes for easy strolls with mountain panoramas. Adventure options range from fishing and kayaking to nearby volcano treks, all set against a strong local culinary and architectural character.
Best Things to Do in Puerto Varas
Lake
Llanquihue Lake
Large glacial lake in southern Chile with volcano views
Mountain
Calbuco (volcano)
Active stratovolcano in southern Chile
Archaeological Site
Monte Verde
Prehistoric archaeological site with early human settlement evidence
Puerto Varas Bucket List
Don't Miss
Lakeside promenade on Lake Llanquihue - Wooden walkways, cafes, and panoramic views across Chile’s second-largest lake towards volcanoes.
Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús - Historic wooden church in Puerto Varas reflecting German-Chilean architectural influences and heritage.
Casa Kuschel - Well-preserved historic house museum illustrating German-settler life and regional history.
Hidden Gems
Local craft markets - Small artisan markets selling wool goods, ceramics, and southern Chilean souvenirs.
Puerto Varas viewpoint (Mirador) - Short uphill vantage points offering quieter panoramas over lake and volcano scenery.
Lake boat excursions to nearby islands - Short boat trips offering shoreline perspectives, birdwatching, and photographic opportunities.
Day Trips
Petrohué Falls and Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park - Dramatic volcanic river cascades, hiking trails, and views of Osorno Volcano nearby.
Frutillar - Charming lakeside town with a music theater, German heritage, and views across the lake.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas is best in summer (December-February) for the warmest, driest weather and outdoor activities around the lake and volcanoes. Winters are cool and very wet - ideal for cozy stays and dramatic scenery rather than long treks.
Summer
Summers are mild, relatively drier and ideal for kayaking, hiking and volcano views; expect occasional showers but overall the most agreeable outdoor conditions.
Autumn
Autumn brings brilliant foliage and cooler, wetter days; fewer tourists and dramatic skies make it rewarding, though outdoor plans may need flexibility due to rain.
Winter
Winters are cold, wet and often windy with heavy rainfall - great for cozy lodges, hot chocolate, and dramatic storm-watching but limited trekking opportunities.
Puerto Varas's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in January) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 3°C to 21°C. Abundant rainfall (1731 mm/year), wettest in June.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 10° - 21° | 15° | 83 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.6 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.6h |
| February | Very Good | 9° - 21° | 15° | 81 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.1 m/s | 2.0 very high | 13.5h |
| March | Good | 8° - 19° | 13° | 107 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 2.8 m/s | 1.3 high | 12.2h |
| April | Acceptable | 6° - 16° | 11° | 151 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 2.9 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.8h |
| May | Poor | 5° - 13° | 7° | 229 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
| June | Poor | 4° - 11° | 5° | 238 mm | overcast | 92% | 3.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| July | Poor | 3° - 11° | 5° | 214 mm | overcast | 91% | 3.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| August | Poor | 3° - 11° | 5° | 179 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.3 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| September | Poor | 4° - 13° | 7° | 140 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.7h |
| October | Acceptable | 6° - 15° | 10° | 107 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 13.1h |
| November | Good | 7° - 17° | 12° | 99 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.3h |
| December | Good | 9° - 19° | 14° | 103 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.8 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.9h |
How to Get to Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas is most commonly reached via Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) with short onward road transfers. Long-distance coaches from Santiago and other Chilean cities also serve the town; local buses, taxis and boats handle nearby travel around the lakes.
El Tepual / Puerto Montt Airport (PMC): The main airport for the Lake District; Puerto Varas is about 20-30 minutes (about 20 km) by car from PMC. Regular taxis and transfer shuttles operate from the airport to Puerto Varas-expect a 20-40 minute transfer depending on traffic and ferry/route choices.
Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport (Futaleufú/Chaitén area): Other regional airfields serve parts of Los Lagos but Puerto Montt is the practical international gateway for Puerto Varas.
Train: Chile’s southern regions do not have extensive passenger rail services in this area; trains are not the standard way to reach Puerto Varas.
Bus: Long-distance buses from Santiago, Puerto Montt and nearby cities serve Puerto Varas; coach services are comfortable with luggage space and travel times vary greatly (Santiago-Puerto Varas overnight services are common). Local buses and taxis cover the short local distances.
How to Get Around Puerto Varas
Use Puerto Montt (PMC) for air arrivals and finish by shuttle or taxi to Puerto Varas. For local exploration, hire a car or use local buses and boats; the town itself is best enjoyed on foot.
- Bus (long-distance) (CLP varies widely by route (Santiago-Puerto Varas often CLP tens of thousands)) - Long-distance coaches connect Puerto Varas with Santiago and other regional cities; overnight services are common and comfortable, with space for luggage. Book with reputable companies in advance during high season.
- Airport shuttle / Taxi (Taxi CLP ~20,000-35,000; shared shuttles cheaper (prices vary)) - Airport shuttles and taxis from Puerto Montt (PMC) are the fastest way to reach Puerto Varas-transfer time is typically 20-40 minutes. Shared shuttle services are cheaper than private taxis and many hotels arrange transfers.
- Boat / Ferry (Varies by operator) - Ferries and private boats operate on Lake Llanquihue for sightseeing and some point-to-point connections in the region. Seasonal schedules and weather affect services; book excursions in advance in high season.
- Car hire (~CLP 25,000-60,000/day depending on season and car type) - Renting a car gives freedom to explore Lakes District roads, volcano viewpoints and nearby national parks. Roads are generally good but watch for narrow or gravel rural stretches; parking in Puerto Varas is available near the centre.
- Local bus / Taxi (Local bus low thousands CLP; taxis CLP ~3,000-10,000 for short trips) - Local buses cover short distances around Puerto Varas and to Puerto Montt; taxis are plentiful and useful for late arrivals or luggage-heavy trips. Local bus fares are low and easy to use for short hops.
- Walking - Puerto Varas’ compact lakeside centre is highly walkable; strolling the waterfront and nearby parks is the best way to enjoy the town.
Where to Stay in Puerto Varas
Budget
Lakeside / Downtown - $30-80/night
Puerto Varas has several budget hostels and guesthouses, especially outside peak season; many are lakefront with basic breakfast included.
Hotel Cabaña del Lago - Simple lakeside rooms and cabins.
Puerto Varas guesthouses (collection) - Local B&Bs and hostels available.
Mid-Range
Lakeside / Calle Libertad - $80-160/night
A strong selection of mid-range hotels lines the lakefront and town centre, offering comfortable rooms, on-site restaurants, and easy access to Osorno views.
Hotel Cabaña del Lago - Comfortable lakeside rooms and dining.
Hotel AWA Puerto Varas - Modern mid-range hotel with views.
Luxury
Lakeside premium - $160+/night
Puerto Varas has a few high-end boutique hotels and upscale lakeside properties; book early in summer and around holidays for best rooms.
Hotel AWA Puerto Varas - Upscale waterfront design hotel.
Casa Molino (boutique) - Boutique luxury with personalized service.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Puerto Varas’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas has a livelier evening scene than many small towns: restaurants, wine bars and pubs keep late service, especially during tourist season. Live music and cultural events pop up regularly, but there’s limited late-night clubbing. Most nightlife is centered on dining and relaxed bars with lake views.
Shopping in Puerto Varas
Shopping focuses on artisan crafts, wool products, smoked seafood and tourist goods near the Plaza de Armas and main streets. Small galleries sell local art and Mapuche-influenced crafts. For supermarkets, outdoor gear and larger stores head to Puerto Montt a short drive away.