PUERTO VARAS - CHILE
Puerto Varas sits on the shore of Lago Llanquihue, in Chile's Lake District, facing the Volcán Osorno and Calbuco. It retains architecture from the German settlement period and works as a base for lake excursions, the Petrohué waterfalls, Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park and the climb up Osorno.
The town offers lodging across categories and is the preferred regional base over nearby Puerto Montt (about 20 minutes); many Lake District circuits stay overnight here.
Air access is via Puerto Montt's El Tepual airport (PMC), followed by a road transfer. Peak season runs from November to March, with rainfall over much of the year. Operationally it usually fits into a two- to three-night stay within a southern Chile programme.
Useful information
Access
El Tepual Airport, Puerto Montt (PMC), about 30 km away; 30 to 40 minute road transfer.
Season
High season December to March (austral summer); winters are cool and wet. Rainfall is frequent across much of the year.
Currency · time zone · language
Chilean peso (CLP) · UTC-4/-3 with summer time · Spanish.
Operations
Book Osorno volcano, Petrohué and Llanquihue lake excursions in advance. Common base for Lake District circuits and the lake crossing to Bariloche; a minimum of two nights is advisable. A vehicle or private transfer is recommended for getting around the surrounding area.