Alpacas adventure Rental company category:Standard
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Alpacas Adventure Puerto VarasPuerto VarasView map
Hiring a campervan in Puerto Varas puts your starting point on the shore of Lake Llanquihue, facing the cones of Osorno and Calbuco, in Chile's Lakes Region. Founded in the 19th century by German settlers, the small town has kept its wooden-shingled houses and its Sacred Heart church; it is the base for Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, Lake Todos los Santos and the Reloncaví Estuary. Three partner companies are based here, Alpacas adventure, Camper Travel and Holiday Rent RV, with a fleet dominated by pick-up campers and 4x4 vans.
17 km as the crow flies from Puerto Montt and its airport, Puerto Varas offers a quieter start, already by the water.
3 rental partners
Where to pick up your vehicle à Puerto Varas?
Camper Travel Rental company category:Standard
Public rating of the rental company: 4.1/5 (30 reviews)
- Tripadvisor 4.1/5 30 reviews
Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.
Holiday Rent RV Rental company category:Premium
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HolidayRent AirportAeroparkingtepual, V-60 sector, El Tepual 5480000,, Puerto Montt, Los LagosView map
Observed prices
Rental prices observed à Puerto Varas
| Vehicle | Winter July | Spring October | Summer January | Autumn April |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €126/day median €250/day | from €148/day median €269/day | from €150/day median €276/day | from €127/day median €257/day |
Daily prices observed on October 22, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 2 rental companies compared. 0% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €2,000.
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Puerto Varas
1 Petrohué, Lake Todos los Santos and Cochamó
- Puerto Varas
- Ensenada
- Petrohué Falls
- Petrohué
- Ralún
- Cochamó
- Puerto Varas
Route 225 follows the southern shore of the lake to Ensenada, at the foot of Osorno, then enters Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, the oldest in Chile. The Petrohué Falls churn over black lava flows before Petrohué, the landing stage on Lake Todos los Santos with its emerald-green water. You then follow the valley down to Ralún, at the head of the Reloncaví Estuary, and to Cochamó, whose wooden church looks out over the fjord.
- Distance
- about 230 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or pick-up camper
2 To Pucón via Frutillar, Lake Ranco and Valdivia
- Puerto Varas
- Frutillar
- Lake Ranco
- Valdivia
- Niebla
- Panguipulli
- Pucón
A one-way trip north along the lakes route. Frutillar and its theatre standing on the water open the way, then Lake Ranco unfolds wilder shores at the foot of the Andes. Valdivia, a university city criss-crossed by rivers, combines a fish market frequented by sea lions with the Spanish forts of Niebla, at the river mouth. Via Panguipulli, you reach Pucón and Villarrica volcano, another departure city of our partners.
- Distance
- about 500 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan, pick-up camper or motorhome
3 Bariloche and Lake Nahuel Huapi via the Cardenal Samoré Pass
- Puerto Varas
- Osorno
- Lake Puyehue
- Cardenal Samoré Pass
- Villa La Angostura
- Bariloche
- Puerto Varas
Via Osorno and the shore of Lake Puyehue, Route 215 climbs through the forest to the Cardenal Samoré Pass, the nearest road crossing, where the Chilean and Argentine border posts follow one another. On the other side, Villa La Angostura opens onto Lake Nahuel Huapi, which you follow to Bariloche; the Circuito Chico, around the Llao Llao peninsula, offers the finest viewpoints. Return over the same pass, sometimes closed by snow in winter.
- Distance
- about 700 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or pick-up camper allowed to cross the border
Weather and seasons
When to go à Puerto Varas?
Best time
January and February, high summer
January to February
highs 19 °C, lows 11 to 12 °C
The two most pleasant months in Puerto Varas: highs around 19 °C, 11 to 12 hours of sunshine a day and the least rain of the year. This is also the heart of the Chilean holidays: the lakefront, the beaches and the campsites on the Ensenada road are very busy, and the Frutillar Music Weeks draw crowds at the end of January.
November, December and March
March, November to December
highs 16 to 17 °C, lows 8 to 10 °C
The shoulder season is a good compromise: 9 to 11 hours of sunshine, highs of 16 to 17 °C and fewer people than in high summer. In November and December, the gardens of the "city of roses" are in bloom; in March, Chilean holidaymakers have gone home, but rainfall again exceeds 100 mm in the month.
April, May, September and October
April to May, September to October
highs 12 to 14 °C, lows 5 to 9 °C
From 140 to more than 210 mm of rain a month, highs of 12 to 14 °C and 6 to 9 hours of sunshine: you have to work around the weather. The forests of Vicente Pérez Rosales park are then deserted, except during the Fiestas Patrias in mid-September, which fill roads and campsites for a few days.
Winter
June to August, rain and snow
June to August
highs 9 to 10 °C, lows 5 °C
The three wettest months: 206 to 262 mm of rain a month and only five or six hours of sunshine a day. Snow covers Osorno, whose ski area opens depending on snow conditions. Campsites open all year are rare: choose a vehicle with heating and check their opening dates before each stage.
Climate à Puerto Varas, month by month
Most pleasant months: January to February.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 19 °C | 11 °C | 73 mm | 12 h/day |
| Feb | 19 °C | 12 °C | 64 mm | 11 h/day |
| Mar | 17 °C | 10 °C | 115 mm | 9 h/day |
| Apr | 14 °C | 9 °C | 181 mm | 7 h/day |
| May | 12 °C | 7 °C | 213 mm | 6 h/day |
| Jun | 10 °C | 5 °C | 262 mm | 5 h/day |
| Jul | 9 °C | 5 °C | 206 mm | 5 h/day |
| Aug | 10 °C | 5 °C | 236 mm | 6 h/day |
| Sep | 12 °C | 5 °C | 170 mm | 8 h/day |
| Oct | 13 °C | 7 °C | 143 mm | 9 h/day |
| Nov | 16 °C | 8 °C | 116 mm | 10 h/day |
| Dec | 17 °C | 10 °C | 91 mm | 11 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Driving up Osorno volcano
From the eastern shore of the lake, between Ensenada and Las Cascadas, a road of tight hairpins climbs to the ski area and the viewpoints of Osorno, overlooking Lake Llanquihue and Calbuco. The gradient is steep: climb in a low gear, come down using engine braking and, from June to September, check snow conditions and whether chains are compulsory.
Parking in the town centre
The centre of Puerto Varas is just a few streets between the square and the lakefront, quickly saturated in summer. Parking there is often paid and time-limited: leave a large pick-up camper a little further away, on the hillside or along the lake towards Ensenada, and finish on foot.
Sleeping in Vicente Pérez Rosales park
Inside the national park, camping is only allowed on designated pitches, such as the Petrohué campsite on the shore of Lake Todos los Santos; spending the night in the car parks at the falls or on the volcano road is not permitted. Ask CONAF, which manages the park, which sites are open depending on the season.
Shopping and fuel before Ensenada
Puerto Varas has supermarkets, German-style bakeries and petrol stations. Beyond Ensenada, the choice shrinks to a few grocery shops and petrol stations become scarce all the way to Cochamó: fill up and stock up in town before heading for the park or the Reloncaví Estuary.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip à Puerto Varas
Where can I pick up a campervan in Puerto Varas?
Three partner companies are present, with four depots. Camper Travel has two in Puerto Varas, one on Avenida Vicente Pérez Rosales, by the lake, the other on Calle Colón, in the centre; Alpacas adventure also welcomes its customers in town. Holiday Rent RV hands over its vehicles at the El Tepual airport car park, near Puerto Montt. Your booking confirmation gives the meeting address.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Puerto Varas?
In October 2026, our searches covering two companies and 40 offers for a 15-day rental found prices from €126 per day, mandatory fees included, for a camper van departing in July. The median ranges from €250 per day in July to €276 in January, when the lowest price reaches €150. For your exact dates, a search shows the prices you can book.
Can I drive to Argentina with a vehicle hired in Puerto Varas?
Only if the rental company agrees. It must then provide a notarised authorisation to take the vehicle out of the country, to be requested several days before departure and often charged for, together with third-party liability insurance valid in Argentina. Show these documents with your passports at the border posts; on your return, the Chilean agricultural service seizes undeclared fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products.
Can I return the vehicle in another city?
Our partners also have departures in Puerto Montt, 17 km away as the crow flies, in Valdivia, Pucón and Temuco to the north, and in Coyhaique and Balmaceda, in the Aysén region. A one-way trip to Pucón lets you travel up the Lakes Region without retracing your steps. If the company offers this route, the one-way supplement is included in the price shown when you choose the return city in the search.
Verified customer reviews
They rented à Puerto Varas with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
They have always responded quickly to all my requests and their website is very functional!
G.
Chile · Sep 2025
Trustpilot
Fast service
K.
Chile · Mar 2025
Trustpilot
The booking process is very smooth. I had very good communication with the Cooldrive team. As for the follow-up, it will be seen on site during the vehicle pickup.
J.
Chile · Feb 2025
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Puerto Varas
What licence do I need to drive a campervan in Chile?
Foreign visitors show their national driving licence together with an international driving permit: it is recommended, and often requested by rental companies and at roadside checks. The pick-up campers and vans of the local fleet fall into the car category, and traffic drives on the right. The minimum age and required years of driving depend on the company and are stated in the offer.
Which model should I choose to travel as four?
Most of the vehicles observed sleep only two people. For a family, two models combine four seats and four berths: the Maxus T60 4x4 Camper Truck Double Cab and the Chiloé Camper 4x4. The Ushuaia Camper 4x4 carries four passengers and the MG ZS Rooftent Camper five, but both have only two berths: you will then need a tent or extra accommodation.
Is mileage unlimited?
None of the offers observed in our searches in Puerto Varas included unlimited mileage. Compare, offer by offer, the mileage allowance included and the rate charged beyond it, then estimate your route before booking: a return trip to Bariloche or a drive up to Pucón quickly exceeds what is included in a short rental.
How much excess should I expect?
The median excess of the offers observed is €2,000. The gravel tracks of the Reloncaví Estuary or around Lake Ranco expose windscreens and tyres to flying stones: check whether this damage is covered and compare the price of an excess waiver. The deposit, pre-authorised on a credit card at pick-up, is often based on this amount.
How do I get to Puerto Varas from El Tepual airport?
Located near Puerto Montt, El Tepual is about thirty kilometres from Puerto Varas via Ruta 5. One company hands over its vehicles there directly; for the depots in town, shuttle minibuses and taxis provide the connection. Give your landing time to the rental company so it can arrange the handover of the keys.
Where can I sleep in a campervan around Lake Llanquihue?
Campsites follow one another along the Ensenada road and around the lake, often on family-owned land with access to a beach. Elsewhere, the shores are largely private: ask the owner's permission before settling in for the night, and prefer a campsite to a street in Puerto Varas, where sleeping in your vehicle is frowned upon.
About us
Why start a campervan trip from Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas brings together in a single starting point the most striking sights of the Lakes Region: Lake Llanquihue at its feet, the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes on the horizon, Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park and the Reloncaví Estuary a few dozen kilometres away. The small, pleasant town lets you do your shopping and take the wheel without facing the traffic of a large city.
Three partner companies offer a largely 4x4 fleet here, from pick-up campers to SUVs with roof tents, with prices observed from €126 per day in October 2026. Valdivia and Pucón to the north, Coyhaique and Balmaceda to the south, other departure cities of our partners, open up one-way trips to the volcanoes of Araucanía or the Carretera Austral, and Argentina is just one mountain pass away. January and February, the mildest months, are the best time to go.