Puerto Montt

Puerto Montt City Puerto Montt is a fast growing city in the south of Chile, just north of Chiloé Island. It boasts great views of the ocean and towering peaks of the andes, and is a centre for travellers heading further south along the Carretera Austral, or east to Argentina. Get in By plane There are flights north to Santiago (1 hour 40 minutes) and south to Punta Arenas (2 hours). By bus Buses pull in at the large and bustling termnial in the middle of town close to the harbour (Diego Portales & Lillo). Many departures to cities in the north, as well as services to Chiloé Island. Cruz del Sur are the fastest, since they own many of the ferries crossing the strait and the bus bypasses the waiting line. Buses to Bariloche in Argentina takes around 7 hours. By ferry Navimag has boats to and from Puerto Natales and Puerto Chacabuco. The latter costs Ch$ 38000 pp, Ch$ 100000 for a car. Other companies whose name and routes change frequently have ferries to Chaiten on the carretera austral. Many departures in summer, but often only one per week in winter. The ferry to Chiloé Island leaves about 50 km south west of town, takes 30 min and cost Ch$ 1000 pp and Ch$ 8300 for a car. Naviera Austral connects Puerto Montt with Chaiten. Ferry leaves at midnight and journey takes 10-12 hours. Simple seat costs Ch$19100, berths are two times more expensive. Check the Naviera Austral website for current schedule: http://www.navieraustral.cl Kémelbus now has a service called "ruta bimodal" which takes passengers to Chaitén by bus and ship in a daily, 10-hour scenic trip through the fjords south of Puerton Montt. Get around The thousands of taxis and colectivos that bounce like ping pong balls across and along the streets are a fast and usually cheap way of travelling across town. Although you'll find that your feet will take you to most places. If walking, take extra care when crossing streets in this city. Colectivos appear out of nowhere! See The area along the beach near the bus station is pleasant for a walk with things along the way to entertain you. Walking east you'll get great views, especially at sunset, from the hills there. Do Buy Ripley Department Store Santa Isabel or Unimarc, 2 big supermarkets just opposite the bus terminal Eat A good place to have some seafood is at the fishing community of Angelmó. Along with the seafood market there are some restaurants. There are also a lot of options for shopping Mapuche craftworks. Shop local no.2, an excellent choice and the prices of its dishes are very reasonable. Its soup is incredibly delicious and the portion of the curanto (steamed seafood with some other kinds of meat) is huge. Curanto and paila marina (seafood soup) just cost $4000 each. Drink Sleep There is a multitude of cheap hospedaje in Puerto Montt, so don't despair if your travel guide only shows a few expensive ones. Hospedaje La Nave, Ancud 107. Downtown and close to the bus terminal. Nothing special about this hospedaje other than it had a room when we were looking for one. Many options around the bus station to choose from, so don't panic if you arrive late. No breakfast but a huge bathroom and fantastic high pressure hot water shower makes for a recommendation. 14,000 pesos for two people. Colectivo Bellavista, German Vargas Poblete, Fortuoso 9, Phone (65) 251730, Cell (09) 0912073, a friendly and quiet place, not so near to the city centre, free pickup and dropoff, incl breakfast from $4000/bed. Hotel Central, Juan Jose Mira 1092, Phone (65) 257516, a very comfortable and affordable place, just a less than 10-minute walk to the bus terminal, nice and helpful staff, with a choice of standard room or cabana room, stable 24-hour hot water for shower, a heater and tv in every room, able to speak English, breakfast included from $15000 for 2 people per night. website: http://www.hotelcentral.cl/ email: reservas@hotelcentral.cl Get out Puerto Varas, catch a micro ($800) opposite the bus terminal and you can reach there in about 20 minutes. Calbuco, catch a micro ($1200) opposite the bus terminal and you can reach a small but lovely town in an hour. There are a handful of small restaurants which offer simple snacks and meals. A stroll along the waterfront is very pleasant. Frutillar Ancud Castro This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!