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| Image: verticetv |
As you may already know, Chile is administratively divided into 16 regions. Chile's Lakes Region (Región de Los Lagos, also known as the Tenth Region) is located in the south-central part of the country. It is bordered to the north by the Región de Los Ríos, to the south by the Región de Aysén, to the east by Argentina, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean.
The regional capital is the city of Puerto Montt, and it comprises four provinces, listed from north to south: Osorno, Llanquihue, Chiloe, and Palena. According to the 2017 census, the region's population was 828,708 inhabitants.
The local economy primarily relies on agriculture, forestry, livestock, fishing, salmon farming, the dairy industry, services, and tourism. These industries are supported by the region's diverse natural landscapes, traditional foods, folk music, and cultural traditions—particularly in the province of Chiloe. German colonization, which occurred mainly between 1850 and 1910, has left a lasting legacy in many aspects of regional life.
How to Get There
Island of Chiloe
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| Image: iglesiasdechiloe.cl |
The "Isla Grande de Chiloe" (Greater Island of Chiloe) and its surrounding islands are some of the most emblematic destinations in Chile. The archipelago represents a unique chapter within the Los Lagos Region. What makes this place so special are its distinct culture and traditions, its festive music reflecting the personality of its people, its cuisine with unique characteristics, and its gentle, beautiful landscapes.
Among the most notable attractions is Chiloe National Park, located on the western part of the island. With an area of 431 km², it is one of the most visited protected areas in Chile. In the commune of Quellon, at the southern tip of the main island, lies Parque Tantauco, a private reserve open to the public. Tantauco is considered one of the 25 richest territories in the world in terms of biodiversity, making it a top priority for conservation. The park is also one of Chile's most important trekking destinations, with nearly 150 km of trails offering routes of varying difficulty through the southernmost and wildest parts of the Greater Island of Chiloe.
Key tourist destinations include the towns of Ancud, the gateway to Chiloe, founded by the Spaniards in 1768; Castro, the current provincial capital, known for its distinctive architecture and the Iglesia de San Francisco (San Francisco Church), a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Dalcahue, a small town located 25 km north of Castro; and Chonchi, also known as "La Ciudad de los Tres Pisos" (The City of Three Floors) due to its construction on three natural levels.
Additionally, the old churches of Chiloe, 16 of which have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, along with others belonging to the "Escuela Chilota de Arquitectura en Madera" (Chiloé's School of Wood Architecture), have unique characteristics that have earned global recognition. Here you can learn more about tourist places in Chiloe
City of Puerto Montt
Puerto Montt is the regional capital of Los Lagos, strategically located on the Reloncaví Gulf, 1,033 km south of Santiago. Founded in 1853 by Vicente Pérez Rosales, Puerto Montt was developed by German and Chilean settlers in a region rich in fishing resources and covered by a dense, cold jungle dominated by the Larch, one of the longest-living trees in the world.
The city, known for its charming waterfront scenery, serves as the northern gateway to the vast Patagonian region and is the main business hub of southern Chile. Its primary industries include tourism, salmon farming, aquaculture, agriculture, livestock, transportation, and telecommunications. During the high season (December to March), thousands of tourists from around the world flock to its restaurants, streets, and squares, drawn by the area's many attractions.
Puerto Montt's commercial and tourism infrastructure includes a seaport, airport, bus terminal, road connections, hotels, dining options, and a wide range of services, all offering high-quality standards for the travel and tourism industry, as well as for conferences and conventions.
"Angelmo" Fishermen's Market and Tourist Center
The small bay of Angelmo is located 3 km from downtown Puerto Montt. Today, Angelmo is one of the city’s most important tourist attractions. It is home to the Maritime Terminal, which connects with the province of Chiloé and the regions of Aysén and Magallanes. The area also features a Craft Fair, a Fishing Terminal where locals sell their products, and a large Seafood Market where these products are offered at small restaurants.
Vicente Perez Rosales National Park
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| Image: Villa Peulla |
Museo Colonial Aleman (German Colonial Museum)
The Museo Colonial Aleman, inaugurated in 1984, is located in the town of Frutillar, mainly dedicated to preserve the legacy of the German immigration in the area of Llanquihue Lake. It is made up of a group of five buildings covered with wooden tiles, in the style of Southern Chile.
At the entrance is located La Llaveria, where currently are carried out administrative activities of the museum, then you can visit La Casa del Molino (The Mill's House) with a large sample of objects, documents and explanatory panels of the different historical stages shown in the exhibition. Outside the house there is El Molino de Agua (The Water Mill), one of the first machines used by the settlers on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, around 1870. Other facilities are La Casa del Herrero (The Blacksmith's House), with machines, carriages and tools of the time; El Campanario (The Bell Tower), a circular barn where the sheaves of wheat were gathered and finally, on the hill, you get to La Casa Patronal (Main House) built in 1889, where you can see how the houses of the German settlers were, thanks to the economic development they achieved. Near the Casa Patronal there is a Family Cemetery, as was customary at the time among some immigrant groups.
Llanquihue Lake and Surroundings
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| Puerto Varas and Llanquihue Lake |
Lago Llanquihue, 22 km away from Puerto Montt, is the second largest lake in Chile, its name comes from the "Mapudungun", autochthonous language meaning "sunken place". It is a tourist destination recognized worldwide, on its banks are towns and cities of great scenic beauty, having as backdrop the volcanoes Osorno, Puntiagudo, Calbuco and Tronador.
Parque Nacional Alerce Andino
Following the Carretera Austral, 46 km southeast of Puerto Montt, lies this protected area, whose name, translated into English, would be "Andean Larch National Park." It is named after the 20,000 hectares of this tree, which once covered hundreds of thousands of hectares in this part of southern Chile. Today, only 42,000 hectares remain, protected by the Chilean state.
It is worth mentioning that the Larch tree is one of the oldest species on the planet. It can live for 3,000 to 4,000 years, grows only 1 centimeter every 15 years, and despite this slow growth, it can reach 50 meters in height and 3 to 4 meters in diameter.
This natural reserve was created in 1982 specifically to protect these true relics of nature, although the park also includes other native species such as the Coigue de Magallanes, Coigue de Chiloe, Lenga, Tenio, Mañio, and Canelo. Alerce Andino is open year-round, although the most suitable time to visit is during the spring-summer season. There are trails for trekking, and since the area is very rainy, visitors should take the necessary precautions.
Carretera Austral (Chile's Southern Way)
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| A view of the Carretera Austral Image: vialidad.cl |
Undoubtedly, the Carretera Austral, also known as Route 7, is one of the most scenic roads in the world. The geography of this part of Chile is rugged, but many of the landscapes are postcard-worthy. The road is constantly being expanded, with nearly 1,300 km connecting Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins. Some sections are paved (though the least), while others are gravel, and certain parts require ferry travel. The following paragraph also highlights places in the XIth Aysen Region.
Among the standout destinations are Hornopiren, the northern gateway to the Carretera Austral; Parque Pumalin, one of the largest and most important private nature reserves in Chile and South America, known for its scenic beauty; La Junta, the northern access point to the Aysen Region; Parque Nacional Queulat, one of the most visited by tourists traveling along Route 7; Laguna San Rafael National Park, the largest in the Aysen Region, featuring incredible landscapes of millennial ice from the Northern Ice Field; and La Catedral de Marmol (The Marble Cathedral), a mineral formation of calcium carbonate in the blue waters of General Carrera Lake, with a series of stunning caverns that tourists can navigate by small boats.
The Futaleufu River basin is a major tourist destination in the Los Lagos region, renowned worldwide among fly fishing enthusiasts. It is also famous for its fast Class V rapids, making it a popular spot for rafting, as well as for horseback riding and mountain biking.
Despite being a remote mountain area, almost hidden on the map and very close to the Argentine border, the region has good infrastructure to accommodate visitors, with a variety of dining options and accommodations. Another nearby landmark, a true paradise for recreational fishing lovers, is Lake Espolon, which is also home to many charming spots. From Futaleufu, you can reach Argentina through the Trevelin International Pass.
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