Puerto Montt, Chile: travel guide
Seafood market port and gateway to the Lake District volcanoes
The main hub of Chile's Lake District and gateway to Patagonia. Its busy Angelmó seafood market is legendary, and the charming German-heritage town of Puerto Varas sits just 20 km away on the shores of Lake Llanquihue with volcano views.
About Puerto Montt
Puerto Montt is a busy port on the Gulf of Reloncavi and the main hub for travel in Chile's Lake District and the road south toward Patagonia. The town itself is practical rather than pretty, but it comes alive at Angelmo, where the fish market, artisan stalls and small waterfront eateries serve fresh seafood.
Its real appeal is the surrounding scenery. Puerto Varas, a short drive away on Lake Llanquihue, has German-influenced architecture and views of Osorno Volcano across the water, and Alerce Andino National Park protects old temperate forest to the south.
Puerto Montt suits road-trippers and nature lovers, particularly those continuing to Chiloe or Patagonia. The warmer months from late spring to early autumn are the most settled, although the region is green because it rains often.
- Country
- Chile
- Currency
- CLP
- Time zone
- America/Santiago
- Nearest airport
- PMC
Last updated
Top places to visit in Puerto Montt
Lago Llanquihue — Puerto Varas
Glacier Lake Panorama · 4.9 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Chile's second-largest lake is a 880 km² expanse of glacial blue water ringed by forested hills. From Puerto Varas — the charming German-heritage lakeside town 20 km north — the views of the perfectly conical Osorno Volcano reflected in…
Osorno Volcano
Stratovolcano · 4.8 rating · about 4 h · entry $20,000 (≈ ₹1,950)
Chile's most symmetrical and beautifully conical volcano (2,652 m) dominates the Lake District skyline. The cable car on its flanks serves a small ski resort in winter and offers panoramic views year-round. Adventurous climbers can summit…
Angelmó Artisan Market & Fish Market
Seafood & Crafts Market · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Puerto Montt's legendary covered markets side-by-side on the harbour. The fish market sells the freshest centolla (king crab), sea urchin, and salmon at rock-bottom prices; the artisan market has the finest selection of woollen and wooden…
Alerce Andino National Park
Ancient Rainforest National Park · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · entry $4,000 (≈ ₹390)
A temperate rainforest park 35 km from Puerto Montt protecting ancient alerce trees — a South American tree related to the cypress that can live over 4,000 years, making them among the oldest living organisms on Earth. The 40 km trail…
Things to do
- Petrohué Waterfalls & Todos los Santos Lake Tour Nature · 5 h · from CLP 22,000 per person
- Lake Llanquihue Kayaking with Osorno Volcano View Adventure · 3 h · from CLP 28,000 per person
- Angelmó Market Seafood Cooking Class Food Drink · 3 h · from CLP 45,000 per person
- Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park Full Day Nature · 8 h · from CLP 48,000 per person
- German Heritage Walking Tour — Puerto Varas Cultural · 2 h · from CLP 12,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Lake District Grand Tour — Petrohué Waterfalls + Llanquihue Kayak + Puerto Varas 9 h · from CLP 55,000
Where to stay in Puerto Montt
- Puerto Varas Lakefront about CLP 120,000 per night
Most travellers opt for Puerto Varas (20km north of Puerto Montt airport) rather than Puerto Montt city, as it sits directly on Lake Llanquihue with views of Osorno Volcano. Smaller, cleaner, and with better restaurants…
Hotels
- The Guest House Puerto Varas 3-star · CLP 14,000 to CLP 30,000 per night
- Hotel Patagonico Puerto Varas 4-star · CLP 22,000 to CLP 55,000 per night
- Hotel Don Luis 4-star · CLP 18,000 to CLP 38,000 per night
- Hostel Compass del Sur 2-star · CLP 2,500 to CLP 7,500 per night
Where to eat
- Angelmó Fish Market Restaurants chilean, seafood, market · about CLP 12,000 per person
- El Caleuche chilean, seafood · about CLP 16,000 per person
- Restaurant Alemán Puerto Varas german, european · about CLP 10,000 per person
- El Mercadito Puerto Varas chilean, seafood · about CLP 18,000 per person
- Ibis Puerto Varas modern-chilean · about CLP 42,000 per person
Getting to Puerto Montt
Airport: Puerto Montt (PMC)
Getting around
- Bus
- Ferry
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Chile
Frequently asked questions about Puerto Montt
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Puerto Montt?
- The highest-rated places in our Puerto Montt guide are Lago Llanquihue — Puerto Varas, Osorno Volcano, Alerce Andino National Park, Angelmó Artisan Market & Fish Market.
- Where should I stay in Puerto Montt?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Puerto Montt: Puerto Varas Lakefront.
- How do I get around Puerto Montt?
- Ways to get around Puerto Montt covered in our guide: City bus, Ferry, Taxi, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Puerto Montt?
- The nearest airport to Puerto Montt has the code PMC.