Although it is not one of the main tourist destinations in Chile and many tourists use it only as a stopover, itinerary through Puerto Montt in 3 days will give you the chance to see the main sights of the city and its surroundings.
Due to its good connectivity by plane with the country’s capital, the beginning of the Carretera Austral and the southern tip of Chile to visit Torres del Paine, Puerto Montt is for many a city where they can only stock up and stay for a very short time to continue the tour.
However, there are many historical and natural sites to visit in the surrounding area. Taking advantage of the city’s connectivity, you can reach nearby volcanoes and lakes, the island of Chiloé and even the beautiful Reloncaví estuary within a day.
Below, we recommend this itinerary of what to do in Puerto Montt in 3 days based on our experience there.
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Is Puerto Montt worth a visit?
For us at least one day is worth a visit, for lunch in Caleta Angelmó and a stroll along the waterfront.
If you are not visiting Chiloé and the Puerto Varas area, it is also an excellent city to base yourself and make day trips to these destinations. For this you would need at least 3 days in Puerto Montt. We will focus on this itinerary.
🔎 Are you going to stay more days in the city? Check out all there is to do in and around Puerto Montt in this article.
Recommended itinerary in Puerto Montt in 3 days
Day 1: Puerto Montt waterfront and Angelmó caleta
Day 2: Excursion to Chiloé Island
Day 3: Excursion to the Osorno volcano and the Petrohué waterfalls
Day 1: Walk along the waterfront of Puerto Montt and visit Angelmó caleta
One of the best places to visit in Puerto Montt in 3 days is the Angelmó caleta. Located on the waterfront and half an hour’s walk from the city centre, it is very picturesque, as well as having many local food stalls overlooking the creek and selling handicrafts.
Although it is a touristy place, the kitchens are still known for their homemade food. Here you can taste sopaipillas, salmon and fresh seafood, among other delicacies. The one we tried and recommend is Del Mar a su Mesa, a simple place with excellent typical food.
In the afternoon, it is ideal to take a stroll through the city centre, visiting the Plaza de Armas and the church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, with its four-columned façade. It is not one of the most beautiful squares in Chile, but at least its church is curious.
On the Costanera we recommend a visit to the Juan Pablo II Museum, which details the astonishing 1960 earthquake in the city and the severe consequences it left behind.
Finally, the Manuel Montt viewpoint is an excellent spot to see the city of Puerto Montt at sunset. Don’t forget to take a picture of the sign indicating kilometre 0. of the Carretera Austral!
In the evening, a highly recommended place to dine is Tablón del Ancla, opposite the Plaza de Armas. Most people visit the place to eat their famous pichanga, a mixture of meat, sausage, egg with vegetables such as tomato and avocado and fried potatoes. It is to be shared between at least two people, because it is very abundant.
Day 2: Excursion to Chiloé Island from Puerto Montt
Puerto Montt is the best place to make a day trip to the island of Chiloé, due to its proximity and good connectivity.
One of the characteristics of the island that make it very attractive are the old fishermen’s dwellings that are preserved on the shore of the estuary. Its different shades and the construction on stilts, stilts in the water on which part of the house sits, make it very picturesque.
The largest example of stilt house construction can be found in the town of Castro, the main town on the island.
Chiloé is also known for its churches, which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most of the buildings have gabled roofs and a central tower, where wood is the main protagonist. Among the churches scattered all over the island of Chiloé are San Francisco in Castro and Nuestra Señora de los Dolores in Dalcahue.
If you want to experience the island’s gastronomy, there is nothing better than to visit the kitchens of Dalcahue.
There are several excursions that depart from Puerto Montt and visit different parts of the island. If you haven’t visited Chiloé, we recommend this excursion to Castro, Ancud and Dalcahue.
Back in Puerto Montt, we recommend dinner at Cirus Bar, a beautiful bodegón in the harbour for guatitas or paila marina.
Day 3: Visit the Osorno volcano and the Petrohué waterfalls from Puerto Montt
If you haven’t already visited Puerto Varas or Frutillar, then one of the best excursions in Puerto Montt is to visit the Osorno volcano and the Petrohué waterfalls.
These natural wonders are located within the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, one of the most beautiful in Chilean Patagonia.
Both can be visited with an excursion from Puerto Montt or by car. As you get closer, the silhouette of this volcano impresses with its perfect cone shape.
The tour of the Osorno volcano is very well put together, with a ski centre with restaurant with breathtaking views of the Llanquihue Lake, trails and two chairlift sections to 1640 metres above sea level and where the views of the adjoining volcanoes, and even of the Tronador Mount on days with good visibility they are impressive.
Normally, the visit to the Osorno volcano is complemented by the famous Petrohué waterfalls. These river rapids generate small, deep blue waterfalls which can be reached after a short walk along a path.
The photos of the jumps with the Osorno volcano are one of the most Instagrammable places in Chilean Patagonia.
On the last day in Puerto Montt we recommend dinner at El Fogón de Pepe, a restaurant oriented towards Patagonian meat such as venison or lamb.
Where to stay in Puerto Montt
Three recommended places to stay in Puerto Montt are as follows:
- Hotel Gran Pacifico: an authentic relaxation with sea views and a fantastic location in the heart of the city centre.
- Islanet Hostel & Bar: one of the cheapest accommodations in Puerto Montt, a city where accommodation is expensive.
- Casona Alemana: one of the many old German settlers’ houses that has been converted into accommodation. Surrounded by a garden and in a location further away from the centre.
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