The fusion between the city of Puerto Montt and its neighbor Puerto Varas in a single city seems to be inevitable. Both cities offer enormous tourist possibilities. However, Puerto Montt still maintains its own identity which makes it extremely attractive individually.
Puerto Montt is a beauty, and it is not an invention of the era in which people make tourism. In fact, human beings have tried to stay in these lands for 6,000 years for a reason.
However, in the 18th century, the region was considered uninhabited, and it was not until 1852 when some German families began to populate it permanently.
The 20th century had not yet arrived when this Chilean city was one of the main business centers of the south of the country. The reasons were obvious: in Puerto Montt fishing, agriculture and livestock were always so abundant allowing the expansion of other areas such as construction and crafts.
But time brings new ideas such as mitiliculture (mussel or choros growing), algaculture and silviculture.
In any case, its inhabitants know that tourism is the future. It is being noticed because more and more people are traveling from different corners of the world to learn about the wonders of the area.
For those who seek to know this hidden and precious place in the world, the following list of activities and tours is available.
City Tour by Puerto Montt
The best way to get to Puerto Montt and to know it thoroughly is through a tour that usually starts at the hotels and inns of Puerto Varas.
This tour goes through the emblematic cathedral built with wood, the seafood market and a space for handicrafts. It touches the curiosity and the palate at depth.
The tour continues to the top of the Melipulli to see an incredible view of the port, the bay of Reloncaví and Tenglo Island.
Alerce Andino National Park
It is a sanctuary of trees whose age is counted in thousands of years. They emphasize araucarias, mañíos, tineos, ferns, and canelos. But this park also stands out for its fauna, where you can find pudúes, eagles, chingues (skunks) and foxes, among other species.
Cultural tour
Apart from the native wooden cathedral, those visiting Puerto Montt should take into account the Diego Rivera House of Art and the Juan Pablo II Museum.
But, the most interesting is the abundance of buildings from the recent era of colonization that the Germans built in the 19th century.
Monte Verde
In this archaeological site were found the first vestiges of human beings in the continent, the oldest. People began to pass for this place 15,000 years ago and some settled 6,000 ago.
Beaches in Summer
The main beaches of the region are Pelluco, Pelluhin, Puntilla Tenglo and Chanquihue. But you have to go in the middle of summer. Although it may seem hard to believe because of the mountains that surround Sao Paulo and the cold climate, to be in touch with this coastal area is enriching from every point of view.
Thus, Puerto Montt completes one of the most magnificent places in the Southern Cone, an experience between the pure and perfect landscape and the system of priorities that human beings have been creating to escape from ourselves.