Sailing on Chiloé Island: Chacao, Castro, and Dalcahue from US$47

price per person From

US$47

Based on 2 adults

Created: Wednesday, November 26, 2025

About the destination

Puerto Varas, often called the “City of Roses,” is a charming lakeside town in Chile’s Los Lagos Region, framed by the snow‑capped Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. Set on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, it blends German colonial heritage with Chilean Patagonia’s wild landscapes. Wooden houses with steep roofs, rose‑lined streets, and a picturesque waterfront boardwalk give the town a cozy, storybook feel, especially at sunset when the volcanoes glow pink and orange. This is an ideal base for outdoor enthusiasts. Just a short drive away, Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park offers hiking trails through native forests, views of emerald‑green Todos los Santos Lake, and the thundering Petrohué Waterfalls. You can kayak on the lake, go rafting on the Petrohué River, or take a scenic drive up the Osorno Volcano for panoramic vistas and, in winter, skiing and snowboarding. In town, Puerto Varas has a growing food scene where you can sample both Chilean and German‑inspired dishes. Don’t miss kuchen (fruit cake), craft beers, and fresh seafood like congrio (conger eel) and salmon. Cafés and restaurants cluster around the main square and along the waterfront, making it easy to linger over a meal with lake views. At night, the town’s cozy bars and small casinos offer a relaxed, low‑key nightlife. Puerto Varas is accessible by a 30‑minute drive from Puerto Montt Airport and works well as a hub for exploring the wider Lake District. Day trips include the island of Chiloé, known for its wooden churches and palafito houses, and nearby Frutillar, home to an impressive lakeside theater and a strong musical tradition. Whether you’re after adventure, culture, or simply quiet time by the lake, Puerto Varas offers a balanced, atmospheric introduction to southern Chile.

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