Puerto Varas Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Puerto Varas tours and things to do in Chile’s Lake District: gaze at the snow-capped Osorno Volcano, feel the roar of the Petrohué Falls, sail across emerald Lake Todos los Santos, raft the turquoise Petrohué River, and cross to the mystical island of Chiloé. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
rating
Explore Puerto Varas by interest
Whatever brings you to Puerto Varas — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Osorno Volcano
Snow-capped cone.
ExplorePetrohué Falls
Turquoise rapids.
ExploreChiloé Island
Churches & penguins.
ExploreFrutillar
German heritage.
ExploreLake cruise
Emerald waters.
ExploreRafting
Turquoise rapids.
ExploreShore excursions
From the port.
ExploreLake District highlights
Volcano & lakes.
ExploreTop attractions in Puerto Varas
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Osorno Volcano
Snow-capped cone.
Petrohué Falls
Turquoise rapids.
Chiloé Island
Churches & penguins.
Frutillar
German heritage.
Lake Todos los Santos
Emerald waters.
Petrohué Rafting
Turquoise rapids.
Puerto Montt
Cruise gateway.
Lake District
Volcano & lakes.
1 hr awayOsorno Volcano
Snow-capped cone.
1 hr awayPetrohué Falls
Turquoise rapids.
Day trip awayChiloé Island
Churches & penguins.
30 min awayFrutillar
German heritage.
Todos los Santos awayLake Cruise
Emerald waters.
1 hr awayPetrohué Rafting
White water.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Puerto Varas visitor asks before booking.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Warm, long days — the best time.
Peak
January and February are busiest.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Golden forests and fewer crowds.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Cool and rainy, with snowy volcanoes.
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Fresh and green, with active waterfalls.
Best overall
December to March for warm, clear lake days.
One day
The Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls.
Two days
Add Frutillar and a lake cruise.
Three+ days
Add Chiloé Island and rafting.
For scenery
The volcano, falls and emerald lakes.
For adventure
Petrohué rafting and volcano hikes.
For culture
A Chiloé Island day trip.
On foot
The lakeshore and town centre are walkable.
By tour van
Tours include transport to the volcano and falls.
By taxi
Taxis link Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt.
By boat
Cruises sail Lake Todos los Santos and to Chiloé.
Where to stay
Stay by Lake Llanquihue for volcano views.
Chilean peso
Chile uses the peso; carry some cash.
Osorno Volcano
Go on a clear morning for the best views.
Petrohué Falls
Combine them with the volcano in one trip.
Chiloé
Start early — it is a long, full day.
Rafting
Bring a towel and dry clothes.
Lake cruise
Book a clear day for the emerald water.
Frutillar
Try the German-style kuchen cake.
Volcano tours
Summer trips fill up — book ahead.
Falls tours
Combined tours fill up — reserve early.
Chiloé trips
Full-day tours fill up — book ahead.
Rafting
Summer rafting fills up — reserve early.
Lake cruises
Peulla cruises fill up — book ahead.
Summer peak
January and February are busiest — book far ahead.
Volcano tour
Around €52 for an Osorno and falls tour.
Petrohué Falls
About €52 combined with the volcano.
Chiloé day trip
Roughly €60 for a full-day tour.
Rafting
Around €58 for a Petrohué rafting trip.
Lake cruise
About €55 for a Todos los Santos cruise.
How to save
Combine the volcano and falls in one tour.
Puerto Varas through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Warm & clear.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best.
- Best for
- Golden forests.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great.
- Best for
- Snowy volcanoes.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Rainy.
- Best for
- Fresh & green.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Mild.