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Nestled at the mouth of the Murta, Engaño, and Resbalón Rivers, on the shore of Lake General Carrera, Bahía Murta is a small town known for its cattle and handicraft industries. The Engaño River rose significantly in the 1960s and 1970s, forcing the townspeople to move, and the town is now comprised of two main areas, Puerto Murta and Murta Viejo. Bahía Murta lies only 2.5 miles from the Carretera Austral, but it was the opening of the road from Puerto Sánchez in the year 2000 that made the town one of the area’s top emerging tourist destinations.
The town has become famous for its beef and is said to be one of the best places in the region for finding high-quality cuts of meat. Beautiful surroundings, the leafy old-growth Coigues that line the town’s streets, and cultural activities––including the annual “Fiesta del Arreo,” a traditional festival celebrating the way settlers lived and displaying a variety of local customs, goods, and handicrafts––all help to attract a growing number of visitors each year.
Bahía Murta lies 123 miles from Coyhaique and 62 miles from Cerro Castillo along the Carretera Austral. From the Carretera Austral, merge onto Route X-731 and travel 2.5 miles until you reach the town.
Daily bus routes are available from Coyhaique to Cochrane and Puerto Tranquilo, which includes a stop at the intersection that brings you to Bahía Murta. From there, you can contact a local transport agency to complete your trip. Options include: José Vargas (+56 978988578), Transporte Don Pedro (+56 9 69065831), Mabel Vargas (+56 9 87423867), and Transfer M y M (+56 9 87423867).
If you’re coming from Puerto Natales, you can take a ferry to Puerto Yungay. From there, drive 82 miles north on the Carretera Austral to Cochrane, then continue on to Bahía Murta.
Sky and Latam airlines offer daily flights to Balmaceda, 34 miles south of Coyhaique. In Balmaceda, you can rent a car or take a bus. From Balmaceda, take the road 7.5 miles west to arrive at the Carretera Austral and continue your journey.
Lodging, Food, and Activities:
In Bahía Murta, you can find cabins, bed and breakfasts, and other lodging, in addition to tourist agencies offering day trips and other excursions in the area.
The largest park in the Aysén region, with a captivating landscape of glaciers and snowdrifts that highlight the immensity of this wilderness.
The magnificent Cerro Castillo peak lies 7,605 feet above Coyhaique and Río Ibáñez, and in the area surrounding it, you’ll find a trekking circuit that has been named one of the most beautiful in all Chile.
Vast valleys sculpted by the Chacabuco River form a natural corridor that, since ancient times, has been used for travel both by nomadic peoples and a large diversity of fauna.
On the main street
Fiesta del arreo
Each February, the town celebrates the “Fiesta del Arreo,” a traditional festival showing the way settlers lived and displaying a variety of local goods and handicrafts, in addition to celebrating the anniversary of the town.
Rodeo oficial
In January, the town hosts its official rodeo, considered one of the region’s most important.
Fiesta de Santa Rosa de Lima
In August, the town hosts the “Fiesta de Santa Rosa de Lima,” a celebration held in the Murta Viejo sector.
Explora Murta
During the final week of January, the town hosts Explora Murta, a sporting event combining cycling, running, and kayaking.
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