Puerto Varas · Los Lagos · Chile
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.
112 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Puerto Varas
Tour Guiado en Kayak por Rio Maullin / Medío dia en Pto. Varas
from$115/ person
via Viator
Puerto Varas
Full day or half day fishing in Río Maullín - Petrohue - Rahue
from$440/ person
via Viator
Good for families in Puerto Varas
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Browse
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.
ExploreWhat to see
Top 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.
15 toursView tours
Petrohué Falls
Turquoise rapids.
15 toursView tours
Chiloé Island
Churches & penguins.
10 toursView tours
Frutillar
German heritage.
10 toursView tours
Lake Todos los Santos
Emerald waters.
10 toursView tours
Petrohué Rafting
Turquoise rapids.
10 toursView tours
Puerto Montt
Cruise gateway.
10 toursView tours
Lake District
Volcano & lakes.
15 toursView tours
1 hr awayOsorno Volcano
Snow-capped cone.
from €52View trips
1 hr awayPetrohué Falls
Turquoise rapids.
from €52View trips
Day trip awayChiloé Island
Churches & penguins.
from €60View trips
30 min awayFrutillar
German heritage.
from €40View trips
Todos los Santos awayLake Cruise
Emerald waters.
from €55View trips
1 hr awayPetrohué Rafting
White water.
from €58View trips
Practical guide
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.
When to visit
Puerto Varas through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Dec–Feb
- Best for
- Warm & clear.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Mar–May
- Best for
- Golden forests.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Jun–Aug
- Best for
- Snowy volcanoes.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Rainy.
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Sep–Nov
- Best for
- Fresh & green.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Mild.
People also ask
Puerto Varas travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Puerto Varas?
The highest-rated experiences are an Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls tour, a Lake Todos los Santos cruise, a Petrohué River rafting trip, and a Chiloé Island day trip.
What should I book in advance in Puerto Varas?
Reserve Osorno Volcano tours, Chiloé Island day trips and lake cruises ahead, especially in the January–February peak.
How many days do I need in Puerto Varas?
One day covers the volcano and falls, and two to three let you add Frutillar, a lake cruise and a Chiloé Island day trip.
Is Puerto Varas worth visiting?
Yes — it is the gateway to Chile’s Lake District, with the Osorno Volcano, Petrohué Falls and Chiloé Island all within reach.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Varas?
December to March, the southern summer, brings the warmest and clearest days for the lakes and volcanoes.
What is the Osorno Volcano?
A perfectly conical, snow-capped volcano over Lake Llanquihue and the icon of Chile’s Lake District.
Can you visit Chiloé Island from Puerto Varas?
Yes — full-day guided tours cross by ferry to see its wooden churches, palafitos and penguin colonies.
112 Puerto Varas experiencesfrom €48 · free cancellation
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