Puerto Montt, located in Reloncavi sound, is a port city that lives on salmon farming, trade and tourism. It is Los Lagos region capital and one of most famous Chile city by its impressive nature surroundings, dominated by forests, lakes, estuaries, islands and especially volcanoes. Puerto Montt has different interesting sites Surrounded by Reloncavi sound, which is entered via 5 sur route.

In Puerto Montt surroundings there are several creeks that serve as a perfect place for salmon industry, developed in conjunction with tourism enterprises. Also come to Puerto Montt international cruises, ferries departures to Chiloe and ships that travel to Aysen and Magallanes fjords. Also, it is starting point of Austral Highway.

Seafood fanaticism is expressed itself at fish markets and restaurants of Puerto Montt. Just walk along waterfront to find different docks that attract visitor's attention: The Yachting Club, local port, Angelmo and Tenglo island, famous for its curanto.

Seafood Market is one of the main attractions in Puerto Montt. Inside this market is full of step down or sitting food stalls and restaurants, where you can enjoy mussels, scallops, clams, abalone and picorocos, among other sea delicacies.

Alerce Andino National Park is reached taking Austral Highway. Inside this park there are resting ancient forest, formerly abundant along the whole mountain range, and now is a classic trip when enjoy a stay in Puerto Montt.

How to get there

By plane. From Santiago, daily flights to Puerto Montt airport(2 hours). From airport, transfers or shared taxis go to downtown and nearby cities.

By Bus. Buses depart daily from Santiago to Puerto Montt, where you can connect to other locations (13 hours). Ideally, travel at night to arrive early in the morning.

Local buses connect with nearby cities and Chiloe Island.

There are also buses from Concepcion, Pucon, Temuco, Valdivia and Osorno.

By Car. From Santiago, on 5 sur route to Puerto Montt (1,024 km).

Activities and Attractions

In Puerto Montt you must go to Angelmo, soul of this city, and enjoy excellent seafood and fish. In this market include fresh seafood and handicrafts from Chiloe. It is ideal to discover sea benefits of this part of Chile such as its smoked salmon, clams and vacuum sealed abalone. It also has restaurants, some with Tenglo island and Calbuco volcano views, where everything is prepared at moment: paila marina, "cancato" (stew fish, sausage, cheese and tomato) and insuperable sea urchins.

Other outstanding attractions of Puerto Montt are its cathedral built with alerce wood, and Diego Rivera House of Art, where local artists exhibit their work and you can enjoy concerts and theater. On second floor there's a nice cafe with a good view and superb apple strudel. John Paul II Museum shows Puerto Montt and surrounding areas history. You can also see German architecture at buildings such as former Llanquihue bank, Inmaculada Concepcion School, former Union Club and some family residences.

In summer you can enjoy its beaches, as Pelluco, Pelluhuin, Puntilla Tenglo and Chinquihue. Puerto Montt also has an archeological attraction. Nearby is Monteverde, the oldest human remains in America. Here we found well-preserved human groups objects that inhabited Patagonia 30 thousand years ago.

If the idea is move away from Puerto Montt bustle, a little over 45 km is Alerce Andino National Park, a large reservoir of ancient alerces, with hidden lakes and trails that reach Calbuco volcano summit.

It is widely known that in Puerto Montt are cruises departures and arrivals from Patagonia and Chiloe island. Include accommodation and meals. During the trip you can watch whales and dolphins. Motorcycles and bicycles shipping is allowed.

Is recommend travel to Puerto Montt and surroundings in summer, between December and March, when good weather permits enjoy it better.