Capital of the Chilean Lake District and gateway to Chiloé Island (as well as the glaciers, fjords, volcanoes, mountains, and wild national parks that define southern Chile), Puerto Montt often serves as a stop-off on the way to somewhere else. Linger in this bustling port town a little longer, though, and the Pacific Ocean breeze and surrounding natural landscape—topped off by the towering Osorno Volcano—soon works its magic. From savoring fresh-off-the-boat seafood to shopping for one-of-a-kind souvenirs, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Puerto Montt.
You can visit Puerto Montt all year round, but the best time to visit is during the Chilean summer. Between December and March, conditions are typically milder and drier than the rest of the year, which lends to much more favorable weather for outdoor adventures. Outside of the summer months, rain is more frequent and opportunities to explore Patagonia are very limited.
Puerto Montt is small enough that you can get between most points of interest on foot. For longer journeys, such as to the lake towns of Frutillar and Puerto Varas, you can hop aboard one of the many colectivos (buses) that traverse town. Puerto Montt’s bus terminal has direct service to and from many major cities, including Santiago. Taxis and rideshares are also available.
Around a 35-minute walk or 10-minute drive southwest of Puerto Montt’s center is the small fishing community of Angelmo. It’s one of the best places in the area to get fresh seafood, and features a fish market where boats unload their catches, as well as several restaurants serving up fish stew and ceviche. Here, you'll also find an abundance of vendors selling traditional handicrafts, making it an excellent destination for souvenirs such as knitted sweaters and hats.
