Reservations 877·97·CRAFT  (877·972·7238)

Puerto Montt, Chile

Introduction

Puerto Montt is tucked into a mountainside and was originally covered by a thick forest. Due to its close proximity to the open sea, an expedition began clearing the area in 1851 and building houses for the new inhabitants. Named for Manuel Montt who was the president of Chile when it was founded in 1852, this small town still enjoys Germanic influence from the days when the town was populated by German immigrants. As the capital of Chile's Lake District, Puerto Montt experiences 220 days of rain annually. Although there is plenty to do in town, the main focus of the area is the outdoor opportunities.


In 1969, 11 squatters were killed and all the homes built by a larger group of squatters were burned to the ground by 250 policemen who were following direct orders from Interior Minister Edmundo Perez Zujovic. Needless to say, this massacre and the resulting public outcry contributed to the fall of Eduardo Frei's government.


Port Orientation

Although Puerto Montt is a tender port, the ship is anchored surprisingly close to town. The "tenders" are locally run and are large flat-bottomed boats that take you a small dock near a fishing cove through a small inlet.


Transportation

If you are planning on staying in town, walking or taking a taxi are easy ways to get around. For those wishing to venture further, renting a car is reasonable and all major U.S. rental agencies have offices in Puerto Montt.


Sightseeing

Puerto Montt is an outdoor enthusiasts' paradise with mountain rimmed lakes, snow-capped volcanoes and the Petrohue Falls. Located in the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, the Falls are slightly off the main road and were created by an eruption of the Osorno Volcano several centuries ago. With views of the Volcano in the distance, the Falls offer great photo opportunities. While visiting the Volcano, make sure to experience the Osorno Canopy Zipline, which affords great views of several volcanoes and Lake Llanquihue. The Parque Nacional Alerce Andino is another national park boasting 40 small lakes and the beautiful endangered alerce tree, which is similar to the giant sequoias found in California.


For those looking for a little history, shopping or relaxing, the town of Puerto Varas, which is about 12 miles from Puerto Montt, offers a beautiful walk along the shore of Lake Llanquihue, a craft market and several cafes. The small hamlet named Frutillar will take you back to the 1800's with the perfectly preserved Austrian and German archittecture from the immigrants. If you happen to get lucky with a sunny day, Pelluco Beach Resort is a great place to relax, shop or dine. Often compared to Martha's Vineyard or Newport Beach, this resort is a frequented Chilean vacation spot.




Average Temperature

  Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun.   Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov Dec.
  58 58 55 51 49 45   44 45 47 50 53 56

Average High Temperature

  Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun.   Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov Dec.
  67 66 63 58 54 50   50 51 54 57 60 65

Average Precipitation

  Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun.   Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov Dec.
  4 3.8 5.4 6.5 9.5 9.4   9.7 8.5 6.2 5 4.9 4.8