Brazil
Argentina
Colombia
Peru
Uruguay
Germany
Belgium
Spain
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Ireland
Italy
Portugal
the United Kingdom
Switzerland
Lake · Puerto Varas, Los Lagos
Lago Todos los Santos
Lake of emerald‑green water surrounded by the volcanoes Osorno and Puntiagudo and by Cerro Tronador. The Petrohué pier is the departure point for boat tours.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Lago Todos los Santos
Lago Todos los Santos lies within Parque Nacional Vicente Pérez Rosales, east of Volcán Osorno. It covers about 178 km² and reaches depths of up to 337 meters. In 1849 the explorer Benjamín Muñoz Gamero called it Lago Esmeralda because of the water’s color, and many people still use that nickname.
The lake is ringed by mountains: Osorno to the west, Puntiagudo, with its sharp peak, to the north, and Cerro Tronador, with its glaciers, to the east, on the border with Argentina. The shores are forested and there are hardly any roads around, which leaves the landscape sparsely occupied by people.
The two ports are Petrohué on the western end and Peulla on the eastern end, with no road connection between them. Short boat rides depart from Petrohué, and the navigation to Peulla is part of the lake route that links Puerto Varas to Bariloche in Argentina. Petrohué also has a dark volcanic sand beach, a CONAF ranger post and a camping area.
Fish such as trout and salmon were introduced to the lake, and sport fishing is common. The water is too cold for swimming for most of the year.
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 in Petrohué, including the beach and a short boat ride. The navigation to Peulla takes a full day.
Best time
Clear summer days, from December to March, often show Osorno, Puntiagudo and Tronador all at once. In the morning the water tends to be calmer. Boat trips depend on the weather: check before you go.
How to get there
Petrohué is about 64 km from Puerto Varas along Ruta 225, roughly 6 km past the Saltos del Petrohué. There are buses from Puerto Varas to Petrohué and tour operators that combine the lake, the Saltos and Volcán Osorno.
Tip
Those planning to cross to Argentina via the lake should book the crossing in advance and carry travel documents. For the short boat trip, bring warm clothing: the wind on the boat is cold.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Lago Todos los Santos
Why is Lago Todos los Santos called Lago Esmeralda?
Because of the green color of the water. The name was given in 1849 by explorer Benjamín Muñoz Gamero and it remains in informal use.
Can you go from Lago Todos los Santos to Bariloche?
Yes. The navigation from Petrohué to Peulla is part of the lake crossing between Chile and Argentina, which continues by road and other lakes to Bariloche. Book in advance.
Is there a road around Lago Todos los Santos?
No. The road reaches only as far as Petrohué on the western end. Peulla, at the other end, is accessed by the lake.