ACTIVITIES IN PUERTO VARAS

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Various shops, squares full of roses, a beautiful German-influenced architecture and exquisite cuisine of European flavor, plus surroundings of stunning natural beauty, Puerto Varas is an attractive city in each one of its corners and it's worth taking walking tours.

Some of the places that we recommend visiting in the city is the Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus), which was founded in 1853 by German and Swiss settlers who came to the south. It is located on a hill and is one of the emblems of the city.

Another interesting place in the city is the Philippi Park, which features a view point where you can see the Llanquihue Lake and a panaromic view of the city. There are trails and centers of adventure sports, where you can canopy. The cross which is lit at night on its summit is one of the characteristics of the city.

Strolling along the waterfront overlooking Llanquihue Lake is a beautiful tour that allows you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the Osorno Volcano. Here we also find plenty of hotels, restaurants and bars to enjoy a drink and sample the rich southern cuisine. Casino Puerto Varas is another entertainment area which is also located in this area.

While in Puerto Varas you should taste the German pastries in one of the cafes that are found in the downtown area of the city. A comforting hot drink with a piece walnut kuchen or any kind of cake is ideal to refuel and continue your journey through this beautiful town.

In Puerto Varas there are 10 declared National Monument houses, which were built after the expansion of the city in 1909, with the arrival of the railroad from Puerto Montt. Some correspond to old houses, temples and churches.

These beautiful houses are located in the upper area of Puerto Varas, where the railroad is located. Some of them are the casona Alemana (German house), house Kuschel house, Maldonado house, Jupner house, Yunge house and Gotschlich house, to name a few. All stand out for its architecture of one or two floors, gothic shingles and native wood coatings, which shows the fusion of European styles and Chilota building designs from the area.

While in Puerto Varas it is a must to see its natural surroundings. Taking the Ruta Internacional 225 (International Route 225) to the east, we find the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, which offers scenic beauty and one of the biggest attractions in the area: the Saltos del Petrohue (Petrohue Falls). In this area you can go hiking, horseback riding, and rafting in the waters of the Petrohue River, among other activities.

Further east, the town of Petrohue is found, with a pier in front of the beautiful Todos los Santos Lake, with its turquoise waters. From there you can enjoy boating trips that allow you to tour its waters or a catamaran that that starts in the popular Cruce de Lagos, linking Chile to Argentina through Peulla port, located 86 kilometers away from Puerto Varas.

Puerto Varas is a kind of neuralgic point of the 10th Region, which gathers around some of the most important places in the area such as Puerto Montt, Frutillar, Puerto Octay and Ensenada among other places.