Visitors 0
Puerto Varas was maybe the only dissapointment in otherwise stellar South American journey. Reason: Weather. Of the 4 days I spent in, 3 had rain and the other 1 was overcast but no sun. Climate is very similar to BC west coast, or west side of New Zealand South Island. In addition I was recovering from flu bug picked up somewhere in overcrowded Bariloche public buses. The result was that my exploration was mainly focused on the town and much less on wonderful surroundings I was quite excited about before the trip.
That doesn't mean there is nothing to do in Varas itself. Strong German Heritage, Rather picturesque Lago Llanquihue waterfront, main drag centered around inevitable (for Spanish culture) 'Plaza De Armas' with shops and good places to eat, amazing Church of the Sacred Heart ('Iglesia Sagrado Corazon de Jesus') with backdrop of Osorno Volcano and couple of museums are just few things worth seeing. But it can all really be done in a day and I found myself revisiting places while waiting for weather to clear. Only on last day I decided to take Turisur trip to famous Petrohoue Saltos (Waterfalls) followed by drive up Osorno Ski area. On a clear day Osorno is major highlight, but for me it remained socked in clouds. Another area I was hoping to visit was Parque Nacional Alerce Andino with outstanding rainforest/lake hikes; it is ~1.5 hr drive from Puerto Varas, but rain put a curtain on that too. To complete overall disappointment was mediocre Hotel Germania I used for lodging; high and completely unjustifiable reviews on Trip Advisor. To be avoided.
I don't exclude possibility I might return at some point of my rapidly shortening lifetime to Puerto Varas to explore properly. Another bait is that Varas is north Terminus of very famous Carretera Austral - 1200+km through Patagonia Mountains ending in Villa O'Higgins, and one of best road trips anywhere on the planet. So this gallery, that probably does not look too exciting in its first incarnation, might be updated at some point of time.
That doesn't mean there is nothing to do in Varas itself. Strong German Heritage, Rather picturesque Lago Llanquihue waterfront, main drag centered around inevitable (for Spanish culture) 'Plaza De Armas' with shops and good places to eat, amazing Church of the Sacred Heart ('Iglesia Sagrado Corazon de Jesus') with backdrop of Osorno Volcano and couple of museums are just few things worth seeing. But it can all really be done in a day and I found myself revisiting places while waiting for weather to clear. Only on last day I decided to take Turisur trip to famous Petrohoue Saltos (Waterfalls) followed by drive up Osorno Ski area. On a clear day Osorno is major highlight, but for me it remained socked in clouds. Another area I was hoping to visit was Parque Nacional Alerce Andino with outstanding rainforest/lake hikes; it is ~1.5 hr drive from Puerto Varas, but rain put a curtain on that too. To complete overall disappointment was mediocre Hotel Germania I used for lodging; high and completely unjustifiable reviews on Trip Advisor. To be avoided.
I don't exclude possibility I might return at some point of my rapidly shortening lifetime to Puerto Varas to explore properly. Another bait is that Varas is north Terminus of very famous Carretera Austral - 1200+km through Patagonia Mountains ending in Villa O'Higgins, and one of best road trips anywhere on the planet. So this gallery, that probably does not look too exciting in its first incarnation, might be updated at some point of time.
© Autumn Sky Photography