8 Things To Do in Puerto Varas, Chile

The lakeside town of Puerto Varas, Chile is picture-perfect – and an ideal destination within the Chilean Lake District to spend a day or two…or even more! During our time in the “City of Roses”, we discovered some of the best things to do in Puerto Varas, Chile – and we are sharing our top tips for travelers who want to experience the area like we did! 

 

About Puerto Varas, Chile

Dating to the mid-1800s, Puerto Varas was built by a community of German immigrants. The town features traditional wooden houses and local fare that is heavily influenced by Germany. However, the unique architecture and food are only part of what makes the town one of the top destinations in Chile. Puerto Varas also boasts an array of outdoor activities and absolutely stunning vistas.

 

Best Views in Puerto Varas, Chile

Puerto Varas sits on the edge of Chile’s second largest lake, Lago Llanquihue. The town’s waterfront is situated perfectly for panoramic views of Osorno and Calbuco Volcanos that tower majestically on the other side of the lake.

Although both volcanos are often shrouded in clouds, Puerto Varas weather changes rapidly…and shifting winds can quickly sweep the clouds from the snowcapped peaks. In other words, be patient and have your travel camera ready!

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Top Things To Do in Puerto Varas

The best way to tour Puerto Varas is on foot. The Puerto Varas attractions listed below are all accessible via an easy walk. Our list of Puerto Varas things to do is perfect for visitors who have just one day or stay over a weekend.

Those staying longer will likely want to add a day trip to their itinerary – so we’ve made a few suggestions for the most popular Puerto Varas tours at the end of the article. We’ve also included a helpful Puerto Varas sightseeing map below.

Save, Pin or Bookmark our Puerto Varas Travel Guide for your trip to Chile!

 

#1 Walk the Waterfront of Lake Llanquihue

The Llanquihue Lake is the main tourist attraction in Puerto Varas. Along the lake’s coastline there is a 1.5-mile walkway that allows visitors to take in the best views of Osorno Volcano. If you are beginning your walk from the Puerto Varas center, make your way to the Plaza de Armas main square and then walk out onto the pier for sweeping views.

Stroll to the south, passing a funky museum (more on that in a minute) and Playa Puerto Chico to the end of the lakefront path. Walk to the north to the most popular Mirador de Puerto Varas (Puerto Varas Viewpoint): La Puntilla.

 

#2 Take in the Views from La Puntilla

The La Puntilla Mirador Puerto Varas offers the most incredible views of Lake Llanquihue and Osorno Volcano – and it’s just a half-mile walk from the main pier. Our best photos of Puerto Varas were taken from the La Puntilla vantage point.

At the center of the scenic outlook is a creative art sculpture of Princess Licarayen. The women, with her hands to the sky and wind in her hair, is the main character of the Mapuche legend of the lake and volcano.

 

#3 Visit the Historic Puerto Varas Church

The Catholic Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus (Sacred Heart of Jesus Church) is a national monument that showcases the town’s German influence. The church was constructed between 1915 and 1918 using native woods (ulmo and oak) and sheets of corrugated iron.

Designed to resemble the Marienkirche Church in Germany’s Black Forest, the interior is pristine. Featuring a royal blue ceiling, arches and a dome, it’s much bigger inside than we anticipated. The wooden benches and floors were constructed from local manio and laurel woods.

Below the church is a sunken park, Gruta Lourdes Park. A statue of the Virgin Mary sits in a cave surrounded by offerings. The green space is a peaceful retreat along the main road that runs through Puerto Varas.

 

#4 Trekking in Puerto Varas at Parque Philippi

On the north side of the city, near Mirador La Puntilla, is a local forest park, Parque Philippi. We hiked the path to the top of the hill Cerro Philippi, where a wire cross stands above the town. Although the walk was pleasant, the summit didn’t provide the views we’d hoped to find. Nevertheless, the park provides a fabulous nature retreat just steps from the town center.

 

Puerto Varas Hiking

Adventurous travelers looking for a longer hike might want to consider a day trip from Puerto Varas to Volcan Osorno. Details at the end of the post.

 

#5 Go to a Puerto Varas Museum: Museo Pablo Fierro

The Pablo Fierro Museum is one of the most interesting places in Puerto Varas. The funky museum – which is easily identifiable from the unique exterior – houses the Chilian artists works, as well as historic artifacts from the region. The collection tells the story of how the Germans integrated into the Chilote culture. Visitors are welcome to touch the exhibits and ask questions. Entrance to the museum is free.

 

#6 Try Your Luck at Casino Dreams, Puerto Varas

We had no plans to gamble when we chose to stay in Puerto Varas; in fact, the main reason to visit the town is to spend time in the outdoors. However, when the weather turned brisk and blustery, we took the opportunity to warm up in the city center Casino Dreams. Once inside, we couldn’t resist making a small deposit of $2 into a slot machine, which provided about 23 seconds of fun.

The casino itself is fairly typical, with rows of noisy machines and a few roulette and card tables. In addition to gambling, visitors can attend events and shows, like concerts and comedic acts.

 

#7 Eat in Puerto Varas Restaurants

The restaurants in Puerto Varas feature a variety of local and international cuisine. From fine dining to cheap eats, visitors have a choice when it comes to eating out.

Cambalache is a highly-recommended local spot, but we enjoyed the simple comfort food – fresh-made soup and a panini – at the charming Cassis Cafe located on Plaza de Armas. Find a list of the top-rated restaurants in Puerto Varas on TripAdvisor. 

 

#8 Visit The Feria Artesanal Market

The small Feria Artesanal Market features about 10 shops selling local handicrafts. Fabrics, traditional clothing and jewelry are a few of the products on offer. There may only be a few sellers, but it is worth a quick peek at the wares they have for sale!

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Puerto Varas, Chile Map

Use this link to access our Puerto Varas Map on Google and route your way to all the top sights, and more!

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Day Trips From Puerto Varas, Chile

Much of the tourism in Puerto Varas revolves around visiting the nearby attractions, which can be experienced on day tours from the city.

 

Tour Puerto Montt, Chile

Visitors can easily take a day trip to Puerto Montt without the help of a tour or guide. Get details of what to do in Puerto Montt from this article. Those who would rather join a guided tour of Puerto Montt can get details from the Puerto Varas Information Office.

 

Osorno Volcano Tour

Let a guide lead the way on a half-day trekking trip to the famous Osorno Volcano from Puerto Varas. Get the details! 

 

Frutillar Tour

Learn about the history of the German pioneers in the city of Frutillar, where there is a Colonial Museum and preserved German architecture. Find out more! 

 

Petrohue Waterfalls and Osorno Volcano Tour

Visit two of the region’s most beautiful natural wonders – the scenic Petrohue Falls and the iconic Osorno Volcano – on this 5-hour tour. Learn more here! 

 

4-Day Chilean Lakes Region Tour

Let a professional guide plan all of the details of your 4-day itinerary of the spectacular lake district of Chile. Get the full itinerary and review the trip details of this tour! 

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What You Will Need For Your Trip To Puerto Varas

Good walking shoes are a necessity! I have always packed these shoes by Columbia and Kris likes wearing these Merrell Shoes for both hiking and city walks.

Puerto Varas weather can be unpredictable. Make sure to bring a travel umbrella or packable raincoat for your trip. Sunscreen and a wide-brimmed travel hat are also recommended for warmer months!

If you plan on trekking in the region, hiking poles may be useful for your trip along with a day pack and a great travel camera!

Before you set off on an expedition, check rates and coverage at World Nomads to travel protected.

 

Puerto Varas Hotels

When searching for accommodation in Puerto Varas, we were most concerned with location and price. We found a few options for hotels in Puerto Varas that fit our budget – and ended up staying at the quaint Hotel Weisserhaus in the city center. Enjoy Puerto Varas Hotel (previously Patagonia Hotel) is also highly recommended by fellow travelers.

You can start your search for Puerto Varas, Chile Hotels on Booking.com – like we do!

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Getting To Puerto Varas, Chile

How you travel to Puerto Varas will likely depend on where you’re coming from. Puerto Varas can be reached by plane, boat, bus or car.

 

Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas

If flying to Puerto Varas, visitors will arrive at the Puerto Montt Airport (PMC), likely from Santiago, Chile. Secure transportation to your Puerto Varas hotel in advance on Viator. 

 

Puerto Varas Bus Terminal

Lacking a central bus station, where your bus terminates in Puerto Varas will depend on which company you use. Check with the operator in advance to find out where your bus will arrive and/or depart.

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Bariloche, Argentina to Puerto Varas, Chile

We were arriving in Puerto Varas from Bariloche, Argentina – and found we had two main options to make the trip: a picturesque lake crossing or a 6-hour bus ride. While the lake crossing via boat most appealed to us, it was unfortunately not within our budget at the time of our trip. The bus ride, although along a significantly less photogenic route, was economical at about $30 per person.

 

Bus To Puerto Varas

For the bus ride from Bariloche to Puerto Varas, we booked our seats in the front row, which gave us a view through the windshield for the journey through the Andes Mountains. Not quite as scenic as the views from the boat excursion, but amazing scenery, all the same. 

The actual border crossing from Argentina to Chile was both more basic and more intimidating than I thought it would be. All luggage – both carry-on and under the bus – had to be removed and inspected by police dogs (mainly sniffing for drugs, meat, cheese and other animal products). Meanwhile, we lined up inside with our fellow passengers (there was only about 10 of us in total) to get our passports stamped.

 

Boat Cruise To Puerto Varas

The full-day excursion by boat from Bariloche to Puerto Varas is, by far, the most scenic route. The trip includes crossing three lakes – Nahuel Huapi Lake, Lake Frias and Todos los Santos Lake – with additional optional side trips. Because the lakes are not connected, buses are used to between the lakes to complete the trip. Get prices and read reviews for this trip!

 

Start planning your trip to Chile! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing!  Want additional travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!

 

 

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