*Updated on 13 November 2026.*
The ten best lakes to visit in Chile, according to the data we gathered, all have a Google Maps rating of 4.7 or higher and range from Chungará, at 4,517 metres in the altiplano, to Grey, with icebergs in Patagonia. The two best rated are General Carrera, the country's largest with 951.2 km² on the Chilean side, and Todos los Santos, both at 4.9. The most reviewed is Llanquihue, with 1,266 reviews.
How we chose this list
- Reviews: each lake's rating and number of reviews on Google Maps, checked on 13 November 2026. Only lakes rated 4.7 or higher with at least 200 reviews are included.
- Surface area: the lake inventory of the General Directorate of Water (DGA), the same source as our ranking of Chile's largest lakes.
- Cost: free access or the price of the main activity (park entry or boat trip) from our destination guides, with the date of the figure.
- Distance: in a straight line from Santiago's Plaza de Armas, calculated with Google Maps coordinates. By road it is longer.
- Order: by Google Maps rating and, for equal ratings, by number of reviews. The list is not exhaustive: lakes with few reviews, such as Pehoé or Conguillío, are left out even though they are spectacular.
Comparison table of the best lakes in Chile
| General Carrera | Aysén | 951.2 | 4.9 | 677 | 1,457 |
| Todos los Santos | Los Lagos | 172.0 | 4.9 | 482 | 863 |
| Llanquihue | Los Lagos | 864.1 | 4.8 | 1,266 | 877 |
| Calafquén | Los Ríos | 114.9 | 4.8 | 937 | 689 |
| Chungará | Arica y Parinacota | 22.2 | 4.8 | 246 | 1,696 |
| Grey | Magallanes | 34.5 | 4.8 | 208 | 1,968 |
| Caburgua | La Araucanía | 52.3 | 4.7 | 1,022 | 641 |
| Panguipulli | Los Ríos | 112.8 | 4.7 | 851 | 710 |
| Ranco | Los Ríos | 424.6 | 4.7 | 813 | 782 |
| Villarrica | La Araucanía | 175.0 | 4.7 | 760 | 660 |
| Lake | Region | 2026 cost (source) | How to get there | Best season | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Carrera | Aysén | Boat to the Marble Caves 20,000-25,000 pesos (guide) | Fly to Balmaceda and drive the Carretera Austral to Puerto Río Tranquilo | December to March | Adventure and photography |
| Todos los Santos | Los Lagos | Petrohué-Peulla crossing 52,000 pesos per adult (guide) | About 60 km from Puerto Varas | November to March | Scenery and couples |
| Llanquihue | Los Lagos | Free access to beaches and waterfronts | Puerto Varas or Frutillar, by Route 5 | December to February | Families |
| Calafquén | Los Ríos and La Araucanía | Free access to the beaches of Coñaripe and Lican Ray | From Villarrica (30 km) or Panguipulli | January and February | Families and hot springs |
| Chungará | Arica y Parinacota | Free: Lauca National Park (guide) | Route 11-CH from Arica | April to November (avoid the altiplano summer rains) | Photography and altitude |
| Grey | Magallanes | Glacier boat trip 120,000 pesos (guide) + Torres del Paine entry | From Puerto Natales, about 100 km | October to April | Adventure |
| Caburgua | La Araucanía | Free beaches; Ojos del Caburgua about 2,000 pesos (guide) | About 25 km from Pucón | January and February | Families |
| Panguipulli | Los Ríos | Free access to the waterfront | Route 5 and turn-off at Lanco | December to March | Relaxing |
| Ranco | Los Ríos | Free access to beaches | About 120 km from Valdivia (guide) | December to March | Fishing and relaxing |
| Villarrica | La Araucanía | Free access to Pucón's Playa Grande and Villarrica's waterfront | 764 km by road from Santiago to Villarrica | January and February | Water sports |
The best lakes in Chile on the map
View the data as a table
| General Carrera | Aysén · 4.9 (677) |
| Todos los Santos | Los Lagos · 4.9 (482) |
| Llanquihue | Los Lagos · 4.8 (1,266) |
| Calafquén | Los Ríos · 4.8 (937) |
| Chungará | Arica y Parinacota · 4.8 (246) |
| Grey | Magallanes · 4.8 (208) |
| Caburgua | La Araucanía · 4.7 (1,022) |
| Panguipulli | Los Ríos · 4.7 (851) |
| Ranco | Los Ríos · 4.7 (813) |
| Villarrica | La Araucanía · 4.7 (760) |
Profile of each lake
1. Lake General Carrera
Chile's largest: 951.2 km² in Chilean territory and about 1,840 km² in total, since it is shared with Argentina, where it is called Buenos Aires (DGA). Rated 4.9 with 677 reviews. Its highlight is the Marble Caves from Puerto Río Tranquilo. More in our Lake General Carrera guide.
2. Lake Todos los Santos
Emerald-green water inside Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, surrounded by the Osorno, Puntiagudo and Tronador volcanoes. 172 km² according to the DGA and rated 4.9 with 482 reviews. You cross it on the catamaran from Petrohué to Peulla.
3. Lake Llanquihue
The country's second largest (864.1 km², DGA) and the largest lying entirely within Chile. It is the most reviewed on the list: 4.8 with 1,266 reviews. Puerto Varas and Frutillar have free beaches and waterfronts; see things to do in Puerto Varas.
4. Lake Calafquén
It covers 114.9 km² according to the DGA and its water reaches about 22 °C in summer, according to Wikipedia. Rated 4.8 with 937 reviews. Its volcanic-sand beaches at Coñaripe and Lican Ray are among the most family-friendly in the south; read things to do in Coñaripe.
5. Lake Chungará
The highest lake on the list: 4,517 metres above sea level and 22.2 km², at the foot of Parinacota volcano (DGA). Rated 4.8 with 246 reviews. Entry to Lauca National Park is free, but the altitude means acclimatising gradually from Putre.
6. Lake Grey
Blue icebergs broken off Grey Glacier, inside Torres del Paine. 34.5 km² according to the DGA polygon. Rated 4.8 with 208 reviews. The boat trip to the glacier costs 120,000 pesos per adult, on top of park entry.
7. Lake Caburgua
About 25 km from Pucón, with Playa Blanca and Playa Negra beaches. 52.3 km² and 470 metres above sea level (DGA). Rated 4.7 with 1,022 reviews, the second most reviewed on the list.
8. Lake Panguipulli
The heart of the Seven Lakes route, with 112.8 km² (DGA) and views of Choshuenco volcano. Rated 4.7 with 851 reviews. See things to do in Panguipulli.
9. Lake Ranco
Chile's fourth largest lake, with 424.6 km² (DGA), plus Futrono, Llifén and Huapi Island. The beach in the town of Lago Ranco is rated 4.7 with 813 reviews; the lake itself has no rated listing on Google Maps.
10. Lake Villarrica
The most touristy: Pucón and Villarrica on its shores and the active volcano in front. 175 km² (DGA), rated 4.7 with 760 reviews. More in things to do in Villarrica and things to do in Pucón.
Verdict: the best lake in Chile for your profile
| If you want… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Travel with children | Llanquihue, Calafquén or Caburgua | Free beaches, services and warmer water in summer |
| The most photogenic scenery | General Carrera or Todos los Santos | Rated 4.9, turquoise or emerald colours |
| Something unique in the world | Chungará or Grey | Altiplano at 4,517 m or glacier icebergs |
| Water sports | Villarrica | Kayaking, sailing and water skiing in Pucón |
| Peace and fishing | Ranco or Panguipulli | Fewer people than the Pucón lakes |
| Combine with hot springs | Calafquén | Coñaripe-Liquiñe hot springs route; see the best hot springs in Chile |
Frequently asked questions
What is the most beautiful lake in Chile?
By reviews, General Carrera and Todos los Santos, both rated 4.9 on Google Maps as of 13 November 2026. It reflects visitor opinion, not an official award.
What is the largest lake in Chile?
General Carrera, with 951.2 km² on the Chilean side according to the DGA. The largest lake entirely within Chile is Llanquihue (864.1 km²).
Which lakes in southern Chile can you swim in?
The most popular for summer swimming are Calafquén, Caburgua, Villarrica and Llanquihue, at designated beaches. Follow the flags and authorised bathing areas.
