Puerto Varas, Chile
February 28-March 2, 2018
Puerto Varas is a city in southern Chile's Lake District. It sits on the southwest banks of the expansive Lake Llanquihue, which offers commanding views of snow-capped Osorno Volcano and Calbuco Volcano, both still active.
Puerto Varas
To get to Puerto Varas, Chile from Bariloche, Argentina, we boarded a long distance bus
and rode for 6 hours across the Andes Mountains to the Argentian/Chilian border. It took about an hour at the border; but we arrived refreshed around 6 pm at Puerto Varas.
So why take the bus when one can ride a boat or fly? The cost of our higher luxury bus seating was $40.00 each. The other modes of transportation, by boat or by airplane, were considerably more expensive and would take longer than 6 hours! The boat crossing was $280.00 per person and would take approximately 12 hours. The price to fly is absolutely astronomical! First one has to fly from Bariloche to Buenos Aires, Argentina and then fly to Santiago, Chile and then fly to Puerto Varas. Whew! If one were to make all those connections, it would take over 12 hours and the flights are not every day. Oh, and the cost is $1,295.00 per person!
We were really impressed with the bus. It was new, sleek and clean. Plus, the interior had plush leather seats which reclined for comfortable relaxation and ample leg room. There were two seats on one side of the aisle and one seat across the aisle.
So why take the bus when one can ride a boat or fly? The cost of our higher luxury bus seating was $40.00 each. The other modes of transportation, by boat or by airplane, were considerably more expensive and would take longer than 6 hours! The boat crossing was $280.00 per person and would take approximately 12 hours. The price to fly is absolutely astronomical! First one has to fly from Bariloche to Buenos Aires, Argentina and then fly to Santiago, Chile and then fly to Puerto Varas. Whew! If one were to make all those connections, it would take over 12 hours and the flights are not every day. Oh, and the cost is $1,295.00 per person!
We were really impressed with the bus. It was new, sleek and clean. Plus, the interior had plush leather seats which reclined for comfortable relaxation and ample leg room. There were two seats on one side of the aisle and one seat across the aisle.
There were even USB ports and a tv for movie watching! Not your average Greyhound bus.
Lunch with dessert was served on board by our attendant and juice was also offered. It was an excellent ride! As a safety feature, Chile mandates that each bus show the speed of the bus on a digital display so the passengers can detect if the bus driver exceeds the speed limit.
The ride was very scenic and enjoyable. All too soon we arrived in beautiful Puerto Varas!
Built in the early 20th century, the red and white Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ Church has 3 striking towers which can be seen from miles away and is a striking landmark.
Puerto Varas is known as "La Cuidad de las roses" or the "city of roses".
They were everywhere in all their blooming glory!
Each and every street had a line of mature flowering rose bushes! They are huge!
Puerta Varas is a town overflowing with stunning roses and flowers of every kind. The parks are full of hydrangeas with bulbous blossoms.
We are staying at the Guest House. It is a large mansion also known as the Kortmann House and was built in 1926 as a city home. This national monument has been beautifully renovated will all the modern comforts imaginable all the while maintaining the integrity of its origional state.
The Guest House is near a private school which we walked past each day. At noon, school is at lunch recess for two hours. There are taxi cabs lined up at the school to take the students home for lunch. There is quite a bit of affluence in this lovely resort town.
German style houses reflect its colonial past.
The German architecture is prevalent throughout Puenta Varas.
The streets downtown are lined with quaint coffee shops and also delicious restaurants!
The downtown waterfront offers many picturesque moments.
Walking towards downtown, the streets are full of fresh fruit and vegetable vendors.
The German architecture is prevalent throughout Puenta Varas.
The streets downtown are lined with quaint coffee shops and also delicious restaurants!
You can rent kayaks or go sailing on the lake.
Of course, there's always swimming as a lovely way to enjoy the day and beat the summer heat.
The beautiful flowering plants, the warm sunshine with a gentle breeze from the lake and blue skies each day made our stay here a dream!
Tomorrow we will begin our 6 days of sea kayaking the fjords of Pumalin National Park in the northern Patagonia wilderness! I'll be offline for a week.