PUERTO VARAS - TOLKIEN REVISITED
It’s a cool, relaxed place given its blend of old-world charm and an international, modern, adventure-seeking crowd. From the lake front the town’s majestic setting is even more striking given the proximity of the Andes and the nearby volcanoes of Osorno and Calbuco. Whether you come to Puerto Varas to do some outdoor activities or just to chill out, the bottom line is that a few days spent here will leave an impression in your minds eye for some time to come. We’d also suggest that if you are waiting to undertake the NAVIMAG voyage, Puerto Varas is a much pleasanter place to hang-out than Puerto Montt – some 30 minutes away, with public minibuses connecting the two every 10 minutes, from 7am until 10pm. January is probably the best month to be there as there’s something going on every day to entertain the ‘tourist.´ There’re live bands playing regularly outdoors, a decent sized crafts market, and an open air theatre and cinema. Popular outdoor activities include rafting class III and IV rapids, canopying, windsurfing, canyoning, kayaking, rock and ice climbing, and horseback riding. If these sorts of activities tax you too much, you could always take a sailing trip (2 1/2hrs) and watch the sunset from the lake, with music in the background and a cocktail in hand! There’re a few worthwhile things to do around Puerto Varas such as visiting the village of Saltos del Petrohue, set in a truly majestic Lord of the Rings type setting, or take a tour to Lagos Todos los Santos or Laguna Verde. For trekking in the mountains a guide is useful, as a few people get lost each year. At the least, get a good map and tell someone reliable where you’re going and when you expect to return. If you decide to stay overnight in Puerto Varas, AMAC on San Bernardo 313 is a cozy, homely, sort of place in the centre - popular with Israelis. Beds cost CHP$5,000/night, irrespective of whether you’re alone or sharing a bigger room with a few friends. Casa Azul on the corner of Manzanal and Rosario charges CHP$7,000 for a dorm room. A big backpacker’s place, with a hundred beds, is Ellenhaus on Walker Martinez - in high season they charge CHP$5,000 for a dorm bed. There are plenty of restaurants in the centre of town, but a few of the better ones are: Restaurant Don Jorge on San Bernardo is cheap, has good food, and you’re guaranteed to leave stuffed to your ears. Another good place on the same street is Danes. Mamuskia and Sabor del Lago on San Jose are other places that people talk about. If you want an exclusive place on the lake front (actually it’s built on stilts over the water) at semi-affordable prices (CHP$6,000 to CHP$10,000), go to Club de Yates. Their specialty is obviously seafood - try their mariscos. There’s also live music every day. If, after dinner, you don’t feel like sleeping, you’ll find the drinking crowd at Barometro, Bar del Esquina, Pim’s or Café Real. These places also offer food. The Guru Team |
