186 CultureShock! Chile
The South
The south of Chile provides a completely different experience.
The lush landscape makes it a perfect destination for both
traditional and adventure tourists. The Pucón/Villarrica area
offers both luxurious hotels and many opportunities for
hiking, skiing, etc. In fact, climbing tours will lead you up to
the crater of the Villarrica Volcano. You can explore caves and
even paraglide. Nearby lakes offer lots of water sports.
Valdivia is a pretty city with a strong German influence.
A very interesting museum on Isla Teja houses a beautiful
collection of furniture and other items from the days of
German immigration. Many tourists travel here to explore
the forts built by the Spanish at Corral, Niebla and Isla
Mancera. The fortresses date from the 17th century and
were built at the mouth of the Calle Calle River, which
links the Pacific Ocean to Valdivia. Boats travel between
the three forts and you are encouraged to roam about at
your own pace.
The south is also known for its hot springs. One of the
most famous places to relax and benefit from the waters is
at the Hotel Termas Puyehue, near Puyehue National Park.
In addition to enjoying the hot springs, guests can enjoy
a number of outdoor activities, such as hiking, horseback
riding or skiing. The hotel sits on the shores of Lake Puyehue
and the volcano of the same name rises above nearby. For
those with a lot of time, the road continues up and over the
Andes and leads you into Argentina and the stunning city
of San Carlos de Bariloche.
The Lake District is known for its beautiful lakes,
volcanoes, hot springs and forests. Frutillar is a quaint
town on the shores of Lake Llanquihue (meaning deep
place). There are places to spend the night and lots of
restaurants, especially German ones. On the shores of the
same lake lies the tranquil town of Puerto Varas. Here,
as well as in Frutillar, you can enjoy views of the Osorno
Volcano. Puerto Varas offers everything from luxurious to
budget lodging. Tours will take you behind the volcano to
the Saltos de Petrohué. Here the waters rush over volcanic
rock. Further down the road is the emerald green Lago