Lake Todos los Santos
Patagonia, Los Lagos
Located in Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, Lake Todos los Santos is often referred to as Lago Esmerelda due to the vivid emerald color of its waters. Formed by both glacial and volcanic activity, the 69-square-mile (111-square-kilometer lake is ideal for kayaking, swimming, and fishing, and promises unobstructed views of the Osorno Volcano.
The basics
Lake Todos los Santos flows into the Petrohué River and the Petrohué Waterfalls, and is therefore typically combined with these attractions on day trips from Puerto Varas. Most excursions include a cruise on Lake Todos los Santos and stop at other sights in Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, such as the Osorno Volcano and Villa Peulla, a small town surrounded by nature from where you can zipline, hike, and horseback ride. Some trips sail across the border to Argentina via the scenic Andean Lakes Crossing.
Things to know before you go
- Most tours of Lake Todos los Santos include some walking so ensure you’re wearing sturdy shoes; in summer, bring your bathing suit for a dip in the lake.
- The closest city to the lake is Puerto Montt, where you can find plenty of restaurants and accommodation options.
- Most of the ferries that cross the lake are wheelchair accessible but it's worth checking in advance.
How to get there
Puerto Montt serves as the gateway to Lake Todos los Santos; from here you can reach the shoreside village of Petrohue in around 1.5 hours via Ruta 225. To reach the village of Puella on the opposite side of the lake you’ll need to take one of the regularly-departing ferries.
When to get there
The best time to visit Lake Todos los Santos is summer, between November and March. During these months you’ll experience the best weather for exploring the natural landscapes.
Discovering Vicente Perez Rosales National Park
Vicente Perez Rosales National Park covers a whopping 619,970 acres (251,000 hectares), and is Chile’s oldest national park. In addition to Lake Todos los Santos, the park houses three volcanoes—Osorno, Tronador, and Puntiagudo—and Margarita Island, renowned for its flora and fauna.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!