Todos los Santos — All Saints lake — is the jewel of Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park: some 30 km of emerald water walled in by rainforest and volcanoes, with no road around its shores. Its colour comes from glacial sediment, and on a still day the Osorno and Puntiagudo volcanoes reflect in it perfectly.
Boats leave from the pier at Petrohué, at the western end, for short trips around the bay or the crossing to Peulla, a tiny village at the head of the lake that can only be reached by water. That crossing is also the first stage of the Cruce Andino to Bariloche.
Top things to do at Todos los Santos Lake
Cross to Peulla by catamaran
The crossing takes around 1 h 45 min each way, with the lake narrowing between forested cliffs and the Tronador massif appearing ahead. In Peulla you can walk to the Los Novios waterfall, ride horses or try a canopy line before the boat back.
Take a short launch trip from Petrohué
If you are short of time, small boats at the Petrohué pier run half-hour trips around the bay, for the classic view back to the Osorno volcano.
Walk the black-sand shore
Trails around Petrohué lead to Playa Larga and through the forest to viewpoints over the lake. In summer, the beach is a pleasant place for a (very cold) swim.
How to get to Todos los Santos Lake
- From Puerto Varas: Petrohué is about 65 km away, roughly 1 h 15 min by car or minibus via Ensenada.
- To Peulla: only by boat — join a Peulla day tour or the Cruce Andino.
- Onward to Argentina: the Cruce Andino continues from Peulla to Bariloche the same day.
Insider tips
- Book the Peulla boat or Cruce Andino in advance in summer; capacity is limited.
- Sit on the right-hand side (starboard) heading to Peulla for the best volcano views, and go outside on deck.
- Peulla is remote and prices there are high — bring snacks and cash.
Best tours for Todos los Santos Lake
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Todos los Santos Lake:
Day trip + boat from US$55 Puerto Varas: Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour
Takes the first half of the famous Andean lakes crossing and turns it into a day trip. You sail from Petrohué to Peulla, deep in the national park, with the Puntiagudo and Osorno volcanoes behind you, then return the same way in the afternoon.
- Catamaran across emerald Todos los Santos lake
- Free time in the car-free village of Peulla
- Stop at the Petrohué waterfalls on the way
Day trip + boat from US$63 Puerto Varas: Peulla Day Trip
A second well-reviewed way to reach Peulla, the remote hamlet at the head of Todos los Santos lake that has no road connection to the rest of Chile. Time there lets you walk to the Los Novios waterfall or add an activity.
- Boat trip on Todos los Santos lake
- Optional activities in Peulla (canopy, horse riding)
- Deep inside Chile’s oldest national park
Lake crossing from US$355 Cruce Andino: Puerto Varas to San Carlos de Bariloche
One of South America’s great journeys: a full day from Puerto Varas to Bariloche that links three lakes by catamaran and short bus hops through the rainforest, clearing Chilean and Argentine border formalities on the way. It is a one-way trip, so plan your onward travel.
- Cross the Andes to Argentina by boat and bus
- Todos los Santos, Laguna Frías and Nahuel Huapi lakes
- Views of the Osorno, Puntiagudo and Tronador volcanoes
