The Waeger Hotel has seen better days and could use remodeling, but room was clean and large and bed was ok, off season rate was 50,000 (cash) pesos for a double, acceptable accommodation for a small town. Initial contact was via eMail but only got an automated response so you are better off calling direct to confirm rate and availability. The buffet breakfast was nothing to write home about, scrambled eggs were gone by 9 AM. Small slices of ham, cheese, some jam, bread, juice, coffee, fruit salad and a couple types of cake were available. WiFi doesn't work in all rooms but there are a couple of computers available for use. Toiletries in the bathroom but no wash cloth, so bring your own. Try to get an interior room as the street side rooms are very noisy. Single rooms are very small, have had bigger walk in closets. Within walking distance of the bus station, restaurants, grocery store and car rental facilities (Note: gas runs 538 pesos/liter).

There are a couple of car rental agencies one block past Manuel Rodriguez, between Cochran and Arturo Prat, was off season and able to find a car for 20,000 pesos a day (Note: major highways are toll roads). There’s a good restaurant at 1015 Manuel Rodriguez called the Wufehr, great pig hocks, smoked pork chops, sauerkraut, red cabbage, mashed potatoes and steak tartare. The Disco Wufehr plate had a lot of meat, more than enough for two people but the potatoes put me off, strange flavor. Try the raspberry juice and/or the Kunstmann beer ‘schop’ (half liter).

Osorno and vicinity:

A very scenic drive from Osorno to Puerto Octay and on to Puerto Varas. In Puerto Varas keep on going around the lake (to the right) heading to Ensanada and the road eventually takes you to Volcan Osorno, a very picturesque setting. On the road you’ll see an old antique working Wassermulle on the right.

Puerto Montt on the other hand was not very impressive, at most it’s a transit point for areas further south, not a place to spend any considerable amount of time.

If renting a car and planning to drive to Bariloche, make sure you have the required documentation (insurance and permit ) to cross into Argentina. A very scenic drive along lake Puyehue and a very nice waterfall ‘Salto Novia’ on the left before the Chile border crossing.