Puerto Varas is a city and commune located in the southern Chilean province of Llanquihue, in the Los Lagos Region. The city is considered to be one of Chile’s most charming cities. It is well known for its German traditions, its food, its seafood, the natural environment, its casino and 5 star hotels.
Puerto Varas is located only 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Puerto Montt, located on the shore of the Llanquihue Lake, one of the largest natural lakes in South America. The perfect cone of Osorno Volcano and the snowcapped peaks of Mt. Calbuco and Mt. Tronador are clearly visible from the lakefront. On the western shore of Llanquihue Lake are the tourist localities of Puerto Octay, Frutillar and Llanquihue.
Things to see and do
* Vicente Pérez Rosales National
* Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes
* Petrohué falls
* Lake Todos los Santos – fishing, river rafting, zip-lining & fishing
* German style architecture – eg. Sacred Heart Church, the Kuschel House et.c
Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Peso (CLP)
Language – Spanish
Population – 40,000 approx
Land Area - 4,064.9 km2
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style
Time – GMT minus four hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 56
Port Location – The port is located at Puerto Montt. Here most ships dock at the Public Pier inside of Canal Tenglo. The Public Pier is 9 blocks away from the center of town.
Transport Links – The nearest airport is El Tepual in Puerto Montt, about 30 km. from Puerto Varas, which has regular flights to Santiago, Punta Arenas, Balmaceda and other airports sereved by LAN Airlines, Sky Airline and Aerolíneas del Sur.
There is also a railroad station in Puerto Varas with daily trains running north to Victoria and 13 other cities in between, as well as Puerto Montt to the south. There is also an additional daily train between Osorno and Puerto Montt. You can also take the Lake Crossing from Bariloche, Argentina.
There is very frequent minibus service from Puerto Montt, as well as regular bus service from other cities. Tur-bus offers overnight service from Santiago.