How to: Vibe in Puerto Varas

Chelsey’s Backpacking Edition

TOP TIPS WHEN TRAVELING IN CHILE (some points apply to only USA citizens):

• USE WESTERN UNION FOR CASH PULLOUTS
• CHARLES SCHWAB DEBIT CARD (NO FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEES AND YOU GET THE ATM FEE RETURNED)
• T-MOBILE CELLULAR PLAN (INCLUDES UNLIMITED INTERNATIONAL PLAN)
• TAP WATER IS DRINKABLE IN ALL OF CHILE (except EASTER ISLAND)
• Must try: Completo (chilean hot dog with everything on it), dulce de leche on/with anything, pisco sour, empanadas, terremoto (wine cocktail with pineapple ice cream), brazo de reina con dulce de leche (rolled sponge cake filled with dulce de leche)

After completing the W-trek, I flew to Puerto Montt (and took transportation to Puerto Varas) for EXTREME R&R. After the trek, I was insanely hurt. Even after recovering a week at the glorious Ecocamp, I wasn’t feeling much better. My right knee hurt to walk with just a few steps and my right ankle was beyond swollen from snapping it. Also, after having no wifi in TDP, I had nothing planned for Puerto Varas. I showed up to the town without even having a hostel booked. It was a scary moment and I VOWED to NEVER go somewhere without a plan. At least a place to rest your head at night is important to have booked. Everything else, you can handle when you get there. So, in Puerto Varas, I did a ton of relaxing…

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