Overview
Take a trip to Puerto Varas on your Chile Vacation
Puerto Varas is a city and commune located on the western shore of Llanquihue Lake in the Los Lagos Region of southern Chile. A popular destination on a Chile vacation, Puerto Varas serves as the tourist capital of the Lakes Region.
Puerto Varas was founded in 1853 by Vicente Pérez Rosales, a Chilean politician and diplomat, to be the main port on the lake. A homesteading programme was established by the government with the goal of attracting German-speaking Europeans to settle the land. This naturally resulted in a large German influence that still exists. Today many people choose to live in Puerto Varas while commuting to Puerto Montt and other areas for work.
What has long been a popular spot for Chile vacations has grown into favourite destination for outdoor adventure sports enthusiasts. Kayaking is particularly prominent, and so too is climbing, canyoning, hiking and even skiing as Osorno Volcano provides a ski resort located less than an hour from the city. It has been said that Puerto Varas is one of Chile’s most charming villages that provides the necessary tourist infrastructure without seeming like a tourist trap. It is well known for the German influence felt throughout the area, highlighted by incredible cuisine and strong architecture. This friendly and welcoming city is also the gateway to the Parque Nacional Vicente Pérez Rosales, Chile’s first national park.
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