Lake Todos los Santos is the large emerald-green lake of Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, about 60 km from Puerto Varas, surrounded by the Osorno, Puntiagudo and Tronador volcanoes. You cross it by catamaran from Petrohué to Villa Peulla, a trip of about two hours, and it is the first leg of the Cruce Andino, the lake crossing that links Chile with Bariloche. According to Chile's Water Directorate (DGA), the lake covers about 172 km² and lies 189 meters above sea level. The park around it was Chile's most visited protected area in 2025, with 597,307 visits, according to official Conaf visitor figures.
*Updated on November 3, 2026.* Prices and schedules come from the websites of Cruce Andino, Turistour and Pases Parques, checked that day. They may change with the season and the weather: confirm them when booking.
Lake Todos los Santos key facts
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Puerto Varas municipality, Los Lagos Region, inside Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park | DGA and Conaf |
| Surface area | 172 km² (inventory polygon); 183 km² according to the lake surface field | DGA public lake inventory |
| Elevation | 189 m above sea level | DGA |
| Surrounding volcanoes | Osorno, Puntiagudo and Tronador | Chile Travel |
| Water | Glacial origin, emerald color | Chile Travel |
| Ports | Petrohué (west shore) and Peulla (east shore) | Cruce Andino and Conaf |
| National park | Vicente Pérez Rosales, created on August 17, 1926, Chile's oldest; 253,780 ha | Conaf |
The surface area comes from the DGA lakes layer published in the Environment Ministry's SIMBIO system, which gives two values: the calculated polygon area (172.04 km²) and the recorded lake surface (183 km²). To see how it compares nationally, check our ranking of Chile's largest lakes. Conaf's park page says it was created by Supreme Decree 552 of the Ministry of Lands and Colonization.
How to get to Lake Todos los Santos from Puerto Varas
The gateway to the lake is Petrohué, on its west shore. From Puerto Varas, take international route 225-CH toward Ensenada along Lake Llanquihue, then the road to Petrohué, which passes the Petrohué Falls. It is about 60 km and roughly one hour by car, according to Chile Travel. From El Tepual airport in Puerto Montt it is about 78 km (1 h 30 min).
| Option | Route | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Own or rental car | Puerto Varas – Ensenada – Petrohué on route 225 | About 60 km, roughly 1 hour |
| Local bus | Buses JM runs to Petrohué; Buses Interlagos links Ensenada and Petrohué | Conaf; schedules at the terminals |
| Tour with transfer | Turistour picks up at its Puerto Varas office (Del Salvador 72) or at hotels | Check-in at 7:30; full day of about 11 hours |
| From Puerto Montt | El Tepual airport – Petrohué | About 78 km, 1 h 30 min |
Sources: Conaf, Chile Travel and Turistour. Petrohué has parking, the boat pier, a volcanic sand beach and a hotel. The road goes through Ensenada, at the foot of the volcano: if you have an extra day, combine it with our Osorno volcano guide. The most convenient base for sleeping and eating is Puerto Varas.
Lake Todos los Santos boat trip to Peulla: schedules and prices
The classic outing is a day return trip on the Lagos Andinos catamaran between Petrohué and Villa Peulla, a small village at the lake's eastern end, near the Argentine border. In Peulla you have a few free hours for lunch or for activities such as zip lining, horseback riding or walks, which are paid separately.
| Petrohué – Peulla boat trip (Turistour) | Price or schedule |
|---|---|
| Adult | CLP 52,000 per person |
| Child (2 to 11) | CLP 31,000 |
| Departure from Petrohué (from September 6) | 10:00 |
| Return from Peulla (from September 6) | 16:30 |
| Departure from Petrohué (until September 5, winter) | 9:15, returning at 15:30 |
| Includes | Round-trip catamaran and guide |
| Does not include | Lunch, activities in Peulla and entry to the Petrohué Falls |
Source: Turistour, boat trip to Peulla from Petrohué, checked on November 3, 2026. The page shows the amounts without stating the currency; the format indicates Chilean pesos. Confirm price and availability when booking (reservas@turistour.cl), as seats are limited. Based on the published times, the outbound crossing takes about two hours in summer.
Cruce Andino from Puerto Varas to Bariloche
The Cruce Andino links Puerto Varas with Bariloche in about 11 to 12 hours and 180 km, combining buses and three boat trips: Lake Todos los Santos, Lake Frías and Lake Nahuel Huapi. It runs all year. Border formalities take place at the Vicente Pérez Rosales pass, after Peulla, so bring a valid passport or ID card.
| Leg | Mode | Route |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bus | Puerto Varas – Petrohué |
| 2 | Boat | Lake Todos los Santos: Petrohué – Peulla |
| 3 | Bus | Peulla – Puerto Frías, with border control |
| 4 | Boat | Lake Frías: Puerto Frías – Puerto Alegre (about 20 minutes) |
| 5 | Bus | Puerto Alegre – Puerto Blest |
| 6 | Boat | Lake Nahuel Huapi: Puerto Blest – Puerto Pañuelo |
| 7 | Bus | Puerto Pañuelo – Bariloche (arrival around 20:00) |
Source: Cruce Andino, Chile to Argentina crossing. The rack fare valid from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2028 is:
| Cruce Andino, US$ per person | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| Residents of Chile and Argentina, adult (12+) | 277 | 277 (return by the same route free of charge) |
| Residents of Chile and Argentina, child (2 to 11) | 139 | 139 |
| Other nationalities, adult | 355 | 533 |
| Other nationalities, child | 178 | 267 |
Source: Cruce Andino current fares, checked on November 3, 2026. Children under 2 travel without a seat. The Puerto Pañuelo port fee and the Petrohué Falls entry are not included. There are two-day versions with a night in Peulla or Puerto Blest. The bus leaves Puerto Varas at 7:30 and the boat sails from Petrohué at 10:00; times may vary by up to 60 minutes.
Park entry, opening hours and when to go
The lake lies inside Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, whose tickets are sold on Pases Parques, separately for Chileans and foreigners. The Petrohué Falls ticket page shows these hours:
| Season | Days | Hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer (December to March) | Monday to Sunday | 9:00 to 18:00 | 17:30 |
| Winter (March to November) | Monday to Sunday | 9:00 to 17:00 | 17:00 |
Source: Pases Parques, November 3, 2026. Pases Parques did not show prices without choosing a date; the site Chile es Tuyo published 2026 entry fees of CLP 3,900 for Chilean adults and CLP 8,200 for foreign adults (September 25, 2026). Confirm when buying.
| Visits to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park in 2025 | Visits |
|---|---|
| January | 70,106 |
| February | 97,978 |
| March | 62,826 |
| April | 34,513 |
| May | 22,256 |
| June | 24,114 |
| July | 42,377 |
| August | 36,853 |
| September | 37,144 |
| October | 43,680 |
| November | 61,908 |
| December | 63,552 |
| Total 2025 | 597,307 |
Source: Conaf, protected area visits 2025 (corrected on February 28, 2026). February is the busiest month. November and December have long days and far fewer people than summer. It rains at any time of year: bring waterproof clothing, as the volcanoes are only visible under clear skies. Compare with other parks in our ranking of the most visited national parks.
Park rules
- No fires, grills or smoking (Law 20,653, article 22).
- No pets, and no drones without Conaf authorization.
- Take your trash with you; do not remove plants, rocks or seeds.
- Do not feed or disturb wildlife; follow the rangers' instructions.
- Conaf information line at the park: +56 65 2486115; emergencies, 130.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Lake Todos los Santos boat trip cost?
Turistour's Petrohué–Peulla round trip was listed at CLP 52,000 per adult and CLP 31,000 per child, without lunch, as of November 3, 2026.
How much is the Cruce Andino to Bariloche?
One way, US$277 for residents of Chile and Argentina and US$355 for other nationalities, according to Cruce Andino's 2026-2028 rack fare.
Can I visit Lake Todos los Santos without a tour?
Yes. Petrohué can be reached by car on route 225 or by local bus from Puerto Varas and Ensenada. To cross the lake you need the catamaran, since there is no road along the shore to Peulla.
Why is the water green?
Chile Travel explains that its waters are glacial in origin, which gives them their intense emerald color.
