Travel:Puerto Varas, Lake Region. Chile, Nov 8-9/2025
- Lili Naveh
- Nov 9, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: Dec 31, 2025
A continuation of a trip to Antarctica and other parts of Chile which includes posts from Oct 22nd -Nov23rd
Flying above Punta Arenas and Torres del Paine
The bird-view sight on this relatively clear day, of the snow caped Andie range below, during the flight from Punta Arenas to Pourto Montt was absolutely breath-taking.
Deep glacial covered canyons in between vast ice fields and white pointy mountainous peaks, majestically unfolded with fresh melting ice water flowing and corridors of glaciers sliding down into evolving body of water, rivers or lakes,
Southern Patagonia's Ice Fields
The closer the plane reached its destination, so did the landscape below of the ice fields ,have transformed into huge water bodies, bluish lakes and streaming rivers, as well as more lush and green carpets of cultivated fields and cattle/sheep ranges, could be seen.
Natales :Lake Region
Los Lagos region
The Chilean Lake Region (Región de los Lagos) is a zone in Southern Chile defined by its many lakes in the Andean foothills. It is a stunning, lush region known for its glacial lakes, snow-capped volcanoes (like Villarrica & Osorno), ancient forests, hot springs, and vibrant culture blending Mapuche heritage with German influences,
All lakes drain ultimately to the Pacific Ocean
The region offers outdoor adventures hiking, rafting, kayaking, and exploring charming towns like Pucón, Puerto Varas, & Fruitllar, We missed the first one but thoroughly enjoyed the second ones
Above Puerto Varas
The flight from Punta Arenas (PUQ) to Puerto Montt (PMC) took 2 hours and 15 minutes, and it took another 30 minutes to drive from Puerto Montt's airport to Puerto Varas, the charming vacation town, in wish a blessed warm and sunny warm weather, welcomed us and
where we stayed the next 2 night
One of the most beautiful cities in Chile, it is situated south of Santiago almost
halfway between Frutillar (another lake-side village) and Puerto Montt south of it
Puerto Varas -The City Of Roses
The city of 50,000 inhabitant in the Chilean Lake District, is located on the shores of Lake Llanquihue the second largest lake in the country.
This most quint lake-side town of a clear German influence, offers direct views to the imposing snow-topped perfectly conical, Osorno Volcano, set on the other side of the lake, .some 50km away.
Its history dates back to the 19th c, when German settlers arrived in the region, attracted by the Chilean government’ s policies that promoted colonization and development of the southern regions of the country.
Puero Varas transmits most European feel in the midst of South America continent
Founded in 1853 by Vicente Pérez Rosales, a prominent Chilean politician traveler, merchant, miner and Chilean diplomat, best known for contributing to the colonization by Germans and Chileans of the Llanquihue area.
Named in honor of Carlos María de la Vega, Count of La Vega del Ren, known as the”Señor de Varas” and owner of the land on which the town was established.
The town contains much of its original German architecture when it was developed by 212 German immigrant families who colonized the area
The German settlers played a crucial role in the agricultural and economic development of the region, introducing new techniques and establishing farms and plantations, which is still being appreciated and honored in this Western anti- colonialism era.
It has been a picturesque tourist city destination, since its birth The town's center has more of a Colorado Rockies Mountain style to it, than anything typically Chilean, comprising a number of small, boutique-style stores and a few fishing shops as well as many wooden-clad buildings.
The German influence and cultural heritage. is evident in the city ‘s architecture of its European-style houses and buildings .
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The charming town, is also a gateway to Patagonia, in addition to offering gorgeous verdant landscape, good hotels, gastronomic infrastructure, a modern casino, lake beach, cultural sites, and several outdoor activities during the summer,
It has always been a magnet for tourists, a prime destination in the Los Lagos region
The enchanting lake is a center for recreational activities such as sailing, fishing, kayaking and windsurfing, and its beaches are for relaxing and enjoying the views.

The German settlers brought traditions that also included cultivating beautiful gardens,
Puerto Varas is known also as "La Ciudad de las Rosas" (The City of Roses) featuring thousands of rose bushes, creating abundant colorful fragrant displays. which are, set against the stunning scenery of the bluish Lake , water, the snow caped Volcano and the German-style architecture.
The Roses which are blooming in the towns private gardens and public parks, , especially from December to March, are a defining visual element of Puerto Varas,
Restaurant at Puerto Varas
Casa Valdes Restuarant $ Marisqueria
+569 9079 3938
Santa Rosa 040
It is a very good Sea Food place
We liked this one and ate there twice during our stay.
Near the restaurant a Colorful Flowery Street Gratify
Hotel We stayed At - Highly Recommended
Hotel Wyndham Pettra - Lake Side Hotel
800 363100. (65) 222 2000
Imperial 561, 5550000 Puerto Varas, Los Lagos
We liked this hotel very much and highly recommend
This alpine-style hotel perched on the shores of the lake, offers breathtaking views of Lake Llanquihue and of the majestic snow-capped Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes,
Wyndham Puerto Varas Pettra is an idyllic retreat of modern comfort and relaxation in this enchanting “City of Roses.”
Conveniently located in a walking distance from the city center, and from exploring the natural lake region and Chilean-German culture .
While staying at the hotel, for the first time on this trip, we met there another Israeli couple- Micha and Rachel from Timrat - During breakfast, which we shared, one morning surprised, I discovered, that Rachel is related to an elementary school class mate of mine - Haim Englender. Another branch of this Israeli family, is dominant in representing the Jewish community and resides in Santiago,
The eclectic art exhibits at the Pablo Fierro in Town's Center
Around the Lake
In addition to roaming in the quaint town center, and sampling the town's food,
we circumnavigated the entire lake and visit the other, German-style settler villages such as Frutillar and Puerto Octay. , as well as drove up the Osorno Volcano and visited scenic places such as the Lago Todo Los Santos, and Petrohue Waterfalls National Park Vicente Perez Rosales,
Circum-driving around this large Lake Llanquihue. and being immersed in a scenery of such a singular beauty. makes one understand the German colonization of the area,
The Standing Out Volcano
The Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes are two of the most emblematic volcanoes in the Los Lagos region of Chile. For its part, Calbuco volcano, rises to some 2,015 m high,
and is recognized for its volcanic activity and scenic beauty, attracting hikers and nature lovers with breathtaking views of the region, including the Lake and the Pacific Ocean.
Visit to Osorno Volcano
The Osorno Volcano summit at 2,652m above sea level dominates the eastern shore
of Llanquihue Lake. It is constantly covered in snow from its perfect conical top down to about halfway, and this cone shape can be seen from circulating all around the lake.
It is a popular destination for activities such as hiking, skiing and snowboarding in winter.
Within the whiteness covering the summit are numerous crevasses and glaciers, A ski center is set about two thirds of the way up, and there are ski pistes. A superb, panoramic view covering a huge chunk of the area around the lake and past Puerto Montt, even on to Chiloe Island can be visible (on a clear day) from the ski center's restaurant and the ski-lift base.
The View from the Top of the Osorno
Volcanic rock formations against the snow caped summit
Frutillar
It is important to note that there are two Frutillar’s. One is called Frutillar “Alto” (high) and the other is known as Frutillar “Bajo” (low).
The Alto is a non-descript settlement on the higher plateau up the hill from Frutillar Bajo.
The Bajo Frutillar is the small quint settlement beside the lake down a steep hill worth visiting.
It is located on the western shore of the Llanquihue Lake, 42km north from Puerto Montt and 20km north from Puerto Varas.
The main street along the lake is dotted with small boutiques and touristic shops
Officially Frutillar Bajo was founded in 1856 under an authorized (by the then Chilean President Manuel Bulnes) German colonization plan for southern Chile.
The village, like most of the settlements in the Chilean Lake Region, was developed by Germans looking for a better life, at the end of the 19th Century.
The village, in appearance, looks “very German” with its neatly cut streets and houses
Although all this neat Germanic architecture and historic influence started in 19th C colonization, after seeing the eagle symbol on the German Club, - Club Aleman (an eating establishment)
I couldn't but wonder, how many infamous Germans found a safe hiding refuge in the area, after WWII
There is a German museum here Museo Colonial Alemán. an open-air re-creation of 1856 colonial life and history info of the colonization , depicting a watermill, farmhouse, machine warehouse and blacksmith with period furnishings
As "gardens" go along with German culture, so does music...
There is “Teatro del Lago”, a World Class musical venue.
In 2017 the village was recognized by UNESCO as part of its “Creative Cities Network” (UCCN), largely, if not entirely, because its one of the best musical theater in the Southern Hemisphere.
Although there are musical concerts held throughout the year, there is a main classical music festival during the summer months of Jan. and Feb, which often includes opera.
About half a km south from the village's center there is a small yacht marina established in 2022, from where people can moor and sail small boats on the lake.
Around the Lake toward Puerto Octay
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Puerto Octay
Further around Lake Llanquihue, 27km north from Frutillar, and approximately 47km north from Puerto Varas, situated by the lake is Puerto Octay.
Officially this village was created by German settlers in 1852, again, under the plan for Germans to colonize southern Chile.
Prior to the opening, in 1912, of a railway line connecting this north-western part of the Llanquihue Lake with Puerto Varas at the south-western end, Puerto Octay was an important navigational hub for boats connecting to Puerto Varas.
Puerto Octay still retains some of the historical charm from the settlement days with some of the original, wooden buildings still upright and in use, especially the rustic Hotel Haase – well worth a stop at, for coffee, or a typical Chilean lunch.
Views from Puerto Octay
Close to Puerto Octay there is also a forested peninsula (access is on the right-hand side if coming from Frutillar),
a few kms prior to arriving at Puerto Octay, and near the beautiful Playa Centinela. A rustic nostalgic, historic hotel (1913) called Hotel Centinela offers stunning views of the lake and Osorno Volcano. The hotel was designed by the renowned Chilean architect Josué Smith Solar, (1867 – 1938) in an English architectural style,
Furthermore, Here, the English Royalty (prior to HM Queen Elisabeth) came to this very hotel for hunting and fishing. Over the years, the hotel has welcomed distinguished guests, including Prince Edward of Wales and Prince George of York, who later became King Edward VIII and King George VI respectively. and their visit to the area in 1931 left a lasting mark on the hotel's legacy.
It took about 4 hours to circum-drive all around the lake taking in the aamzing scenery in at the touring stops /spots we made.
As we were driving back to Puerto Varas the weather changed and rain fall banished the glorious sunny day, as well as the locals who frequented the beaches around the lake, either tanning or the nuty swimmers daring the ice-cold water.
To be Continued...
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