The red and white wooden church on the hill above the center, built by the German community between 1915 and 1918 and inspired by the Marienkirche in the Black Forest. The inside is all wood.
Price: free · Time needed: 20 minutes.
Puerto Varas Travel Guide 2026: Osorno Volcano, Petrohué Falls and Lake Llanquihue
Chile · August 2025
Overview
First Impressions
Puerto Varas sits on the shore of Lake Llanquihue, and on a clear day the perfect snowy cone of the Osorno volcano rises across the water. The town has German-style wooden houses with shingles, rose gardens (it's called "the city of roses"), cafés with kuchen and a lakeside promenade. It's the most touristy town in Chile's Lakes District and prices show it, but it's the best base to explore volcanoes, waterfalls and lakes. Keep in mind that the weather changes fast; you can get sun, rain and wind in the same afternoon.
History & How Long to Stay
This was Huilliche (southern Mapuche) land, covered in thick forest. In 1845 Chile passed a law to bring European settlers to the south, and from 1852 German families arrived, recruited by Bernhard Philippi and Vicente Pérez Rosales, who were in charge of the colonisation. They cleared the forest, built farms around the lake and wooden houses covered in alerce shingles, and brought their traditions, like kuchen and beer. Puerto Varas was founded in 1854 as the lake port of the region and named after Antonio Varas, a government minister. The Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón, built between 1915 and 1918 and inspired by a church in Germany's Black Forest, became a national monument in 1992. In April 2015 the Calbuco volcano, also visible from town, erupted with almost no warning and covered the area in ash.
How long to stay: 3 to 4 days.
Last updated: October 2026
Quick Facts
Everything at a glance
- Country
- Chile
- Region
- Los Lagos
- Population
- About 45,000
- Founded
- 1854
- Nearest airport
- El Tepual, Puerto Montt (PMC), 35 minutes
- Best time
- December to March
- Known for
- Osorno volcano, German heritage, kuchen and outdoor sports
Location
On the map
On the southwest shore of Lake Llanquihue, the second largest lake in Chile, about 20 km north of Puerto Montt and 1,000 km south of Santiago. Frutillar is 30 km north along the lake, and Ensenada and Petrohué are about 50 to 60 km east, at the foot of the volcano.
Budget
What a day actually costs
Per person, per day, in Chilean pesos (October 2026).
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | CLP 20,000–28,000 (dorm) | CLP 70,000–100,000 | CLP 160,000+ (lake view) |
| Food | CLP 18,000 | CLP 35,000 | CLP 70,000+ |
| Transport | CLP 6,000 (minibuses) | CLP 30,000 (car rental, split) | CLP 50,000 |
| Activities | CLP 8,000 | CLP 40,000 | CLP 90,000+ |
| Daily total | about CLP 55,000 | about CLP 160,000 | about CLP 350,000 |
A slice of kuchen with coffee costs about CLP 6,000–8,000.
Things to Do
What earned its place
A signed route (Paseo Patrimonial) passes German-style houses from the early 1900s, several of them national monuments, like Casa Kuschel. Pick up a map at the tourist office on the waterfront.
Price: free · Time needed: 1.5 hours.
Walk the lakeside promenade for the classic volcano views, then climb Cerro Philippi, the hill behind the center, for the view of the town, the lake and both volcanoes.
Price: free · Tip: go early in the morning, when the volcano is usually clearer.
In Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, created in 1926 and the oldest national park in Chile. The Petrohué River rushes over black basalt left by the Osorno volcano's lava, with turquoise water and the volcano behind. Short, accessible trails (about 500 m) lead to the viewpoints.
Price: CONAF entrance fee, higher for foreigners (about CLP 6,000–8,000); buy online in advance · Hours: about 9:00–17:30 · Tip: go in the morning, before the tour buses.
From Petrohué, boats cross this emerald-green lake surrounded by forest and volcanoes. It's also part of the Cruce Andino, the bus and boat route to Bariloche in Argentina.
Price: short boat rides from about CLP 10,000–15,000 · Tip: bring a jacket, it's windy on the water.
A road climbs to the ski center at about 1,200 m, with views of the lake and Calbuco. In summer a chairlift goes higher for even better views and short hikes on the volcanic sand; in winter it's a ski resort.
Price: road free; chairlift about CLP 25,000–30,000 · Tip: check the weather; if the summit is in clouds, save it for another day.
The Petrohué River has class III rapids, good for a first rafting trip with volcano views. Kayaking on Lake Llanquihue is calmer.
Price: rafting about CLP 40,000–50,000 with transport.
Transit Tips
Getting around
Getting there
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By plane: fly from Santiago to Puerto Montt (about 1 hour 45 minutes, with LATAM, Sky or JetSMART). From the airport, shared shuttles go straight to Puerto Varas (about 35 minutes), or take an Uber.
By bus: overnight buses from Santiago take about 12 hours (Turbus, Pullman, Cruz del Sur); pay a little more for "salón cama" seats that almost fully recline.
From Bariloche (Argentina): buses through the Cardenal Samoré pass, about 7 hours, or the Cruce Andino by boat and bus.
Getting around
Minibuses: every few minutes to Puerto Montt (about 30 minutes) and Frutillar, and several times a day to Ensenada and Petrohué; pay cash to the driver.
Car rental: the best way to see the volcano, falls and lake towns at your own pace.
Uber and DiDi: they work, but with few cars; local taxis are common.
Tours: full-day tours to the volcano, Petrohué and Todos los Santos include transport and are easier without a car.
Good to know
Keep in mind that this is one of the rainiest parts of Chile, even in summer, so pack a waterproof jacket and layers. In summer it gets dark after 21:30, so you have long days for excursions.
Helpful Words
Useful words in the local language
A few basics in Spanish can make everyday conversations much easier.
- Hola
- Hello
- Por favor
- Please
- Gracias
- Thank you
- Disculpe
- Excuse me
- ¿Cuánto cuesta?
- How much is it?
- ¿Dónde está…?
- Where is…?
Where to Stay
Where to Stay
- Center near the Costanera: walk to restaurants, the lake and the minibuses.
- Along the lake road east of town: quieter hotels with volcano views.
- Ensenada: cabins at the foot of the volcano, if you have a car.
Plan & Book
Browse hotels in Puerto Varas
Explore accommodation options and open hotel details directly from the map.
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