You can fly from Santiago to Puerto Montt at a reasonable price. In Puerto Montt, you can then take a taxi or Uber to Puerto Varas. You can easily find the cheapest tickets through Skyscanner.

It is also possible to travel to Puerto Varas by bus from Castro or Ancud. Tickets can be easily purchased through Busbud.

Chile was a colony of Spain for a long time. This can still be seen, for example, at the Plaza del Armas in Puerto Varas. In 1818, Chile gained independence from Spain. After that, the Chilean government focused on migration as it contributed to economic growth. They also wanted to secure the borders by encouraging more people to settle in southern Chile, which was sparsely populated at the time. From the 19th century, many Germans and Austro-Hungarians emigrated to Chile due to economic and social problems in their home countries. They primarily settled in the Llanquihue province and founded Puerto Varas in 1853. The migrants established many German businesses and factories. They also set up German schools, associations, and newspapers to pass on their culture to their children. The most famous beer brand in Chile is Kunstmann, an example of a company founded by German immigrants. Delicious apple strudel can also be found in many places. After World War I and II, there was a smaller wave of migration, including Nazis who fled in hopes of avoiding prosecution.

Therefore, many German influences can still be seen in Puerto Varas. At the Plaza del Armas, there is a large sign with a walking route that takes you through all the highlights in the town center.

Hoe kom je er?
From Puerto Varas, it’s about a 1-hour drive. We recommend visiting the volcano by rental car, taxi, or organized tour.

Lake Todos los Santos is a beautiful lake in the Lake District of Chile. It is also known as Lago Esmeralda due to its emerald-green color. On the lake, you can boat, kayak, raft, swim, and fish. From the lake, you have a view of the Osorno volcano, the Puntiagudo volcano, and the Tronador volcano.

How to get there?
From Puerto Varas, it’s about a 1-hour drive. We recommend visiting the lake by rental car, taxi, or organized tour.

The Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park is the oldest national park in Chile and is named after a Chilean senator who encouraged German immigration to the region. The national park offers views of the Osorno volcano. In this national park, you can enjoy hiking, kayaking, and rafting. One of the highlights is the Petrohué waterfalls with beautiful clear turquoise water.

Tip: There are organized tours that combine a visit to the national park, the Osorno volcano, and Lago Todos Los Santos.

How to get there?
From Puerto Varas, it’s about a 50-minute drive. We recommend visiting the national park by rental car, taxi, or organized tour.

Llanquihue is a town known for its German sausages, brought by migrants. In the town, there is a monument for the Germans who came to settle there. The town of Frutillar has a bit of an old Bavarian feel. The first Germans to arrive in Frutillar came from Bavaria. In Frutillar, you can still find a lot of German architecture and there are cozy restaurants where you can order many traditional German dishes.

How to get there?
It’s about a 15-minute drive by rental car or taxi to Llanquihue. By bus, it takes around 25 minutes. From Llanquihue, it’s about a 20-minute drive to Frutillar, and by bus, it takes just under an hour. When traveling from Puerto Varas to Frutillar, it takes a little longer.