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Puerto Varas Travel Blogs

Background: Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule while Araucanian Indians inhabited central and southern Chile; the latter were not completely subjugated until the early 1880s. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-84), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern lands. A three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a dictatorial military regime led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, maintained consistently since the 1980s, have contributed to steady growth and have helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation.

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By IanMcL
November 6th 2008

Eat Drink and be merry!

South America » Chile » Los Lagos » Puerto Varas

P1020050

OK OK 2 in 1 day Now Puerto Varas is not necessarily our favourite place. Nothing much to do and it P1sst rain most of the day (yeah, I know, only the second day in 35 (disregarding the snowing and the blizzard)). But Helen decided that we should have a formal farewell dinner, and nobody wanted to argue. For our part, Pete, Chris and your correspondent scanned ALL of the restaurants in the area last night, and found what we thought was a beauty. Meantime, the trusty Valda happened upon the German club in the town and most others went there [View Full Entry]

By IanMcL
November 5th 2008

Andean Lakes crossing

South America » Chile » Los Lagos » Puerto Varas

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You now find us in Puerto Varas - our last stay in the continent before heading home tomorrow night. We did the 2 day Andean crossing from Barilche tp Puerto Varas, stopping at the hamlet of Puella in between. The crossing on the Argentinian side is spectacular as you hop from bus to boat to bus to boat to bus, passing though two lakes, one huge and one smaller but originating in a glacier and therefor a bright turquise colour. Some spectcular scenery - followed up by more land based on the Chilean side. Puella is the original one horse town(we [View Full Entry]

By spidermiss
November 5th 2008

Cruce de Lagos (Chile)

South America » Chile » Los Lagos » Puerto Varas

Crossing Lago Todos Los Santos

Since watching a travel programme on TV about two years ago, I always wanted to do the Lakes Crossing from Puerto Varas to Barlioche. It is a very expensive way getting from Chile to Argentina but felt it is worth doing the tour for the experience. I remember the night before, I was concerned about sleeping in and not getting up on time, I need not to have worried as it turned out I got up earlier than scheduled. After breakfast, I checked myself out of the guest house and dragged myself and my luggage to where I met the tour [View Full Entry]

By spidermiss
November 3rd 2008

Introduction to El Sur de Chile

South America » Chile » Los Lagos » Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas!

After a very long overnight sleepless bus journey from Santiago, I arrived in Puerto Varas. At least the journey was very comfortable. I am amazed with the cama seats and the amount of space available. I may not have slept well but I was comfortable and did not feel cramped - a constrast to being on a plane! It was a bit of a walk to the guest house from the terminus but worth it for the welcome I received. Mauricio and co gave me a warm welcome and nothing seemed to be a problem. My room was not ready but [View Full Entry]

By CD and LT
October 25th 2008

Volcanoes

South America » Chile » Los Lagos » Puerto Varas

Villarrica Volcano
Overlooking the small town of Pucon.

Hola Amigos, Since the last update we have been to a good number of the towns in the Chilean Lakes district. We arrived in Puerto Varas to climb Osorno Volcano only to be looked at in a very strange way and be told that only very experienced climbers can attempt such an ascent. Though I was up for the challenge it seemed like the best thing to do was a brief Mountain Bike trip, and then take the next bus to Pucon to Climb the very active Volcano Villarica (not so technical). Our ascent started at five A.M. in order to [View Full Entry]

By Dirk en Silvia around the world
September 6th 2008

Dag 20: Van Pucon naar Puerto Varas

South America » Chile » Los Lagos » Puerto Varas

Regenbuitje
Het uitzicht vanuit Canales del Sur (tussen de regendruppels door dan...)

Vandaag weer een stukje rijden: van Pucon naar Puerto Vars, 320 km richting het zuiden. We gaan van IX Region de la Araucania naar X Region de los Lagos. Ook het landschap verandert: van bomen voor hout in akkers voor landbouw. Aangekomen in Puerto Varas gaan we, op aanraden van de eigenaar van ons guesthouse Canales del Sur, naar restaurant La Olla voor een goede lunch. Hier is het ontzettend druk, allemaal vis eten. En het is niet voor niets zo druk want het smaakt heerlijk! Na de lunch gaan we 'uitbuiken' op onze kamer en een beetje TV kijken: het [View Full Entry]

By ross and polly
August 11th 2008

Chilly in Chile - Puerto Varas

South America » Chile » Los Lagos » Puerto Varas

The party bus over the border
Time for a comfort break!

Ross: From Bariloche we caught an 8 hour bus over the border to Puerto Varas in Chile. Rumours had been flying around about poor road conditions over the Andes but after a 30 minute wait on the Argentine side of the border the authorities allowed us through. Heavy snowfall meant that the roads were fairly covered but we eventually arrived at the Chilean checkpoint of Villa La Angostura and headed on to Hostel Ellenhaus in Puerto Varas for a two-night stay. Puerto Varas was originally a German settlement and this is echoed in the architecture and German-named drinking establishments. Howe [View Full Entry]

Polly tears up another children´s playground

By georgielenf
June 25th 2008

Strange smells, beautiful lakes and a picnic in the cold

South America » Chile » Los Lagos » Puerto Varas

We hired a car and went to see the Saltos de Petrohue today. It is an amazing set of rapids/waterfalls. We spent quite a bit of time exploring the national park. It was pretty cold and windy at the waters edge but the rapids were amazing to see. I could have spent ages just watching them but it was too cold to hang around. There were lots of little paths through different sections of the park and you had no idea where they would lead. One path that had taken us through the forested area suddenly opened up and we were [View Full Entry]

By georgielenf
June 24th 2008

Dogs

South America » Chile » Los Lagos » Puerto Varas

Pavement decorations

We left Pucon early for a five hour bus journey to Puerto Varas. Managed to sleep quite a bit on the bus which was good as I was pretty tired. Puerto Varas was another small-ish town with views of two volcanoes from the lake. I preferred Pucon though - it just had a nicer feel about it. Luna and I walked around part of the lake in one direction and managed to pick up some friends along the way. This particular friend had incredibly short legs and looked a bit like a cross between an Alsatian and a sausage dog. He [View Full Entry]

By Jabe
June 6th 2008

German bight

South America » Chile » Los Lagos » Puerto Varas

Volcan Osorno at dawn

I'd heard that Volcan Chaiten had been depositing ash on a couple of places further south that I'd intended visiting so, with no wish to look any greyer than I already do, I went west instead. The journey across the Andes and down into Chile provided some views of the volcanoes that punctuate the landscape here with a menace not conferred on mere mountains. Volcan Osorno, possessing a shape of which Hokusai would no doubt have approved and conveniently closest to the road, drew my eye for several hours. My chosen hostel had a name translating as "Blue House" in English, [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » South America » Chile » Los Lagos » Puerto Varas