This winter day couldn’t have been any better on the morning we arrived in Puerto Varas after an all night bus ride from Santiago. The clear and crisp glow of the blue sky gave us a dramatic view of the snow-capped volcanoes across the sparkling lake as we walked downhill to the town center. Immediately we noticed how clean and fresh the air felt compared to polluted Santiago. Day 1 in Northern Patagonia was quite welcoming.
Puerto Varas is very much a tourist town, but cute, clean and not very crowded in the winter. I hear it’s much more popular with summer visitors and can imagine it to be a place to both party and enjoy the outdoors. We were just using it as a two-day stopover before heading further South, but we still enjoyed our time here.
Volcan Osorno from across Llanquihue Lake.
Volcan Calbuco in the background.
Stephanie is much more photogenic than me...
Although we stayed in a crappy old hostel for $12 USD / night, we did manage to enjoy a bit of luxury as well. Stephanie and I were drawn to the prettiest of the hotels in town; one located atop a bluff overlooking the water with very distinct architecture. We walked throughout the building, spent some time warming at a great fireplace and were given a tour of the gym and spa by a lady who worked there.
Hotel lady: “Are you staying here at the hotel?”
Us: “Yes, of course. We would like to come back later and use the pool.”
Hotel lady: “Very good, I’ll be waiting for your return!”
Inside thought: Score!
I think the only time we were really warm in Puerto Varas was at the Hotel Cumbres. We got in a good workout in their small gym, dipped in the heated pool and warmed up in the sauna before heading out for dinner. This place was so nice (and warm!) that we stopped by the next day to have coffee after lunch (and warm our toes and fingers). The next time you visit Puerto Varas, check out Hotel Cumbres.
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