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Lakeside promenade · Puerto Varas, Los Lagos
Costanera de Puerto Varas
Lago Llanquihue waterfront in the centre of Puerto Varas, with Muelle Piedraplén, the urban beach and views of the volcanoes Osorno and Calbuco across the water.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Costanera de Puerto Varas
The Costanera of Puerto Varas runs along the south shore of Lago Llanquihue, the second largest lake in Chile, just below the Plaza de Armas. It is where the town meets the water: a promenade with benches, lawns and a pebble beach from which you can see the snow-capped cone of Volcán Osorno and, further to the right, Calbuco with its irregular summit.
The best-known spot is Muelle Piedraplén, a stone pier that juts out into the lake, near the Casa del Turista. Beside it are the Plaza de la Colonización and the Plaza José Luis Martínez, small squares with monuments to the first settlers. Heading east, the waterfront reaches the Puerto Chico area, where the marina and the yacht club are located.
A few blocks from the water begins the circuit of wooden houses built by German families between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as Casa Kuschel and Casa Yunge. Many were declared historic monuments and form the town's typical quarter, which can be explored on a short walk.
The water of Llanquihue is cold year-round. In summer some people brave a swim, but most use the beach for kayaking, stand up paddle or simply watching the lake.
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, the pier and the plazas; add one hour for the historic houses route.
Best time
With clear weather, the morning usually makes Osorno appear sharper across the lake. Summer sunset is the busiest time on the pier, when the low light colours the volcanoes. On rainy days the lake turns gray and the view of the cones vanishes behind the clouds.
How to get there
It is in the centre, one block from the Plaza de Armas of Puerto Varas, and is walkable. Those who come by car find parking on nearby streets, more contested in summer.
Tip
Take a windbreaker even on a sunny day, because the lake breeze cools quickly. Before heading out on excursions, stop by the Casa del Turista by the pier to pick up maps and check road conditions to the volcanoes.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Costanera de Puerto Varas
Can you swim in Lago Llanquihue in Puerto Varas?
Yes, but the water is cold even in summer. The urban beach along the waterfront attracts swimmers in January and February; otherwise the lake is more used for kayaking and boat trips.
Where can you see Volcán Osorno from in Puerto Varas?
From the waterfront itself, especially from Muelle Piedraplén and the lawns beside it. The volcano is on the other side of the lake, to the northeast, and is visible in full on cloudless days.
What are the historic houses of Puerto Varas?
They are wooden houses built by families of German origin, with steep roofs and façades clad in wooden boards. Several are historic monuments and stand a few blocks from the waterfront, such as Casa Kuschel.