Lake Todos los Santos, Peulla and beaches from Ensenada

Ensenada is 44 km from Puerto Varas, on the eastern shore of Lake Llanquihue and at the gateway to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. From here you reach Lake Todos los Santos, Peulla, the beaches and Osorno Volcano. This guide covers things to do in Ensenada, near Puerto Varas, written from our base in the village.

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The Petrohue Falls area has been closed by CONAF since 30 September 2026, until further notice.

Quick factsUpdated 14 October 2026

Where: Ensenada, Puerto Varas district, on Lake Llanquihue
Distance: 44 km from Puerto Varas on Route 225
Must-sees: Lake Todos los Santos and Peulla, beaches, Osorno Volcano, Petrohue River

A terrace overlooking Lake Llanquihue and Osorno Volcano, in Ensenada

Ensenada, at the foot of Osorno Volcano

Ensenada is a village in the Puerto Varas district, 44 km from town on Route 225 (Ruta 225). It sits on the eastern shore of Lake Llanquihue, between the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes, and it is the gateway to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, the oldest in Chile. The roads to Osorno Volcano, the Petrohue Waterfalls and Lake Todos los Santos start here, and so does the road south to Cochamó and the Puelo River. That makes it a good base to explore the area without driving back to Puerto Varas every day.

Peulla and Lake Todos los Santos

Lake Todos los Santos is inside the national park, at the end of the road that passes through Ensenada. The Petrohue River begins there. We do not run the boat trips: here are the basics to plan them.

Cruising Lake Todos los Santos to Peulla

Peulla is a small village at the eastern end of Lake Todos los Santos, reached by boat from Petrohué. The catamaran crosses the lake between mountains, with views of the Osorno, Puntiagudo and Tronador volcanoes in about 2 hours. The operator sets the price and timetable, which change with the season. TerraSur does not sell this trip; we include it as information.

Cruce Andino: across the lakes to Bariloche

The Cruce Andino is the lake crossing between Puerto Varas and Bariloche, in Argentina. It combines bus and boat legs: it passes Ensenada, crosses Lake Todos los Santos to Peulla and continues to the Argentine side It is run by Turistour all year; ask the operator for the price.

Petrohué, the village on the lake

Petrohué is the hamlet where the road ends, on the shore of Lake Todos los Santos. It has a pier and a beach, and it is the starting point for the catamaran and for several park trails There is a CONAF ranger station, and the Kuschel family serves home cooking.

Waterfalls and scenery near Ensenada

Visiting the Petrohue Falls

The best-known falls in the area are on the road between Ensenada and Petrohué. Hours, tickets and directions are in our guide to visiting the Petrohue Waterfalls. CONAF closed the area from 30 Sep 2026 until further notice.

Waterfalls near Ensenada

The one many people look for as the «Ensenada waterfall» is the Río Blanco waterfall, which is now on private land and no longer open to the public. The waterfalls you can visit in the area are the Petrohue Falls.

The Lake Llanquihue beach with colorful kayaks and Osorno Volcano behind

Lake Llanquihue beaches in Ensenada

Ensenada has volcanic sand beaches on Lake Llanquihue, with views of Osorno Volcano. They are freshwater lake beaches There are several public access points; one is next to the Borde Lago restaurant, with lifeguards in summer. Our base has access to the lake beach, and from there you can paddle on Lake Llanquihue on a guided kayak trip, or rent a kayak or a SUP board by the hour.

Trails and viewpoints near Ensenada

On the slopes of the Osorno and inside the park there are trails and viewpoints over the lake and the volcanoes One of the easiest is the Laguna Verde trail, surrounded by native forest. With a guide, from our base, you can walk on the Osorno glacier, among crevasses and seracs, or do the guided Paso Desolación trail, a hike and bike combination.

Raft in a rapid with Osorno Volcano behind

Adventure in Ensenada: river, lake and volcano

TerraSur Ecoaventura runs its activities from Ensenada, with local guides. On the river you can raft the Petrohue: 8 km of class III rapids, from age 10. In the mountains you can climb Osorno Volcano to the 2,652 m summit, a 12-hour guided day. There is also hydrospeed and ducky on the same river and fly fishing on the Petrohue River and, for groups, ziplining and horseback riding with local operators. To get around on your own, there is bike rental.

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Hot springs and day trips

South of Ensenada, Route V-69 follows the Reloncaví estuary to Cochamó and the Puelo River.

Termas Cochamó, on Route V-69

The Cochamó hot springs are at km 41.2 of Route V-69, about 75 minutes from Puerto Varas through Ensenada, with four thermal pools that reach 42 °C. They are open all year. You can visit them as a day trip.

Things to do in Ensenada by trip type

Ideas depending on who you travel with and the weather.

Group with children raising their paddles in a raft on the Petrohue River

With kids

Rafting on the Petrohue River is from age 10. On the lake, kayak and SUP by the hour, and volcanic sand beaches. With children, a short walk such as the one to Laguna Verde is also a good option.

Group in red and green sea kayaks on a wide lake with a snow-capped volcano behind

In one day

A morning of rafting, which is a half-day tour, and the afternoon on the lake or at the falls.

When it rains

The hot springs, which you can visit as a day trip. For groups of 12 or more we provide the transfer.

Getting to Ensenada from Puerto Varas

Ensenada is at the junction of Route 225 with the road to Osorno Volcano and Route V-69.

44 km on Route 225

From Puerto Varas, take Route 225 east along Lake Llanquihue, about 45 minutes by car on a paved road. Minibuses to Ensenada and Petrohué leave from the corner of San Bernardo and Walker Martínez in Puerto Varas several times a day. From Ensenada we run van transfers to Osorno Volcano, the falls and Lake Todos los Santos.

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Wooden house at the TerraSur base in Ensenada, with a cabins and campsite sign

Where to stay in Ensenada

Barlovento is the same company as TerraSur, at the same base: Barlovento cabins and campsite, on the shore of Lake Llanquihue. There are cabins for 4 to 6 people, apartments, a beach house for 13 and 28 covered campsites, open all year.

Ensenada FAQ

What is there to do in Ensenada?

There are beaches on Lake Llanquihue, the boat trip to Peulla across Lake Todos los Santos, Osorno Volcano, the Petrohue Waterfalls and river, and hot springs just over an hour away. Rafting, kayaking, trekking and the volcano climb start from our base.

How far is Ensenada from Puerto Varas?

It is 44 km away on Route 225, along Lake Llanquihue, about 45 minutes by car.

How do I get to Peulla?

You get there by catamaran across Lake Todos los Santos, from Petrohué. The crossing takes about 2 hours.

How much is the Peulla catamaran?

The operator, Turistour, sets the price, which changes with the season. TerraSur does not sell this trip.

What is the Cruce Andino?

It is the lake crossing between Puerto Varas and Bariloche, by bus and boat, through Lake Todos los Santos and Peulla. It is run by Turistour all year.

Where is the Ensenada waterfall?

Are there beaches in Ensenada?

Yes, volcanic sand beaches on Lake Llanquihue, with views of Osorno Volcano. There are several public access points; one is next to the Borde Lago restaurant, with lifeguards in summer.

Are the Petrohue Falls open?

CONAF closed the area on 30 September 2026 for maintenance. Before you travel, check whether it has reopened on pasesparques.cl or with the CONAF office in Ensenada: +56 65 221 2036.

Can I visit Termas Cochamó as a day trip?

Yes: they are about 75 minutes from Puerto Varas through Ensenada, and they are open all year.

What to do in Ensenada when it rains?

Go to the hot springs, which you can visit as a day trip. For groups of 12 or more we provide the transfer.