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Lakeside promenade · Frutillar, Los Lagos
Costanera de Frutillar
Promenade on the edge of the Bahía de Frutillar, with a beach, a pier and wooden houses from the settlers' era, facing the volcanoes Osorno, Calbuco, Puntiagudo and Tronador.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Costanera de Frutillar
Frutillar's Costanera follows the curve of the bay in Frutillar Bajo, the part of town along Lago Llanquihue. It is an avenue with a promenade, lawns and dark-sand beaches, from which, on clear days, you can see Osorno, Calbuco, Puntiagudo and Tronador. The town was founded in 1856 and the name comes from frutilla, the wild strawberry of southern Chile.
Along the waterfront there are two-story wooden houses, verandas and flowered gardens, many built by German settlers. Also located there are the town pier, the Iglesia Luterana and the Teatro del Lago, so the walk links almost all the visiting points of Frutillar Bajo.
The avenue's cafés serve kuchen made with seasonal fruits such as raspberry, blueberry and murta, as well as tarts and breads of German recipe. In summer the beach attracts bathers and kayaks, and the water, although cold, is used for swimming on the warmer days.
Frutillar has two parts: the upper part, next to Ruta 5, residential and with everyday commerce, and the lower part, on the lakeshore, where tourism is concentrated.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
One to two hours for the walk along the waterfront, with a stop for coffee.
Best time
Summer afternoons, from December to March, are the liveliest, with the beach full and daylight lasting late. On clear mornings the volcanoes usually appear sharper. In winter the waterfront is quiet and many cafés reduce their opening days.
How to get there
It is located in Frutillar Bajo, about 30 km from Puerto Varas and 48 km from Puerto Montt via Ruta 5. Buses stop in Frutillar Alto; from there to the waterfront it's about 3 km, by shared taxi or on foot.
Tip
Check whether the bus continues to Frutillar Bajo, because many only stop in the upper part. Leave the car near the Teatro del Lago and walk the waterfront.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Costanera de Frutillar
What's the difference between Frutillar Alto and Frutillar Bajo?
Frutillar Alto is next to Ruta 5 and is the residential part. Frutillar Bajo is on the lakeshore and brings together the waterfront, the theater, the museum and the cafés.
Can you swim in the lake in Frutillar?
Yes, at the waterfront beaches, but the water of the Llanquihue is cold. The warm days in January and February are the most popular.
What is Frutillar's kuchen?
It's a tart of German origin—a sweet pastry topped with seasonal fruits—served in the afternoons at the waterfront cafés.