Puerto Aysén is the second-largest city in the region (Coyhaique being the largest). It is located on the shores of the Aysén River, 2 miles up the Aysén Fjord. The town has a rich history. At the end of the 19th century, Ciriaco Álvarez de Chonchi––also known as the King of Cypress––built a station for the collection and storage of poles, in addition to constructing homes, sheds, and warehouses for storing food supplies.

In 1904, the Aysén Industrial Society was formed, incentivizing the area’s growth and the construction of a road between Aysén and Coyhaique. In 1920, nearly 230 people were already living in the town, the highest population for any town in the area until that point. The municipality was officially founded in 1928, and in 1968, the President Ibáñez Bridge was finished––one of the longest bridges in the country, now named a National Monument.

Lodging, Food, and Activities

Lodging options include cabins, guest houses, hotels, and campsites, along with other tourist offerings like restaurants and travel agencies. For more information, go to:

Region

Aysén

Province

Aysén

Population

29.000

Climate and Rainfall

Rainy and temperate, 117 inches annually

Nearest National Park(s)

Isla Magdalena National Park

Laguna San Rafael National Park

Don’t Miss

  • Cross the Ibáñez Bridge, which was declared a National Monument in 2007.
  • Kayak on the Aysén River and los Palos.
  • Take a maritime trip to the San Rafael Laguna, or Puerto Aguirre.
  • Hike up the Mirador Peak for a panoramic view of the city.
  • Visit the Simpson River National Reserve, located 20 miles northwest of Puerto Aysén.
  • Visit Cascada del León and Pata Piedra in el Pangal.
  • Visit the Aiken del Sur private park, a 618-acre park where you can trek and climb, among other activities.
  • Visit the picturesque «Muelle Aguas Muertas,» where boats of many different colors dock.
  • Visit the Acantilada Bay beach on a sunny day.
  • Go fly fishing in Laguna Los Palos, Lake Riesco, Lake Tabo and Lake Portales, ideal locations for the sport.
  • Trek in Cerro Cordón.
  • Visit Villa Torreones, 16 miles from Puerto Aysén.
  • Visit Natural Monument Cinco hermanas with thermal resources in Ensenada Pérez.

How to get

Puerto Aysén is located 40 miles from Coyhaique on Route 240.

Buses run daily from Coyhaique to Puerto Aysén. The only company offering this route is Buses Ali (http://www.busesali.cl/).

Puerto Chacabuco is the main port on the Aysén region and is located just 9 miles from Puerto Aysén. Ferries from Quellón (www.navieraustral.cl), dock there, as well as ferries from Puerto Montt (www.navimag.com). The latter voyage takes 20–22 hours.

Balmaceda Airport is located 75 miles from Puerto Aysén. The road between the airport and Puerto Aysén is paved.

Tips

  • Local guides are available to help you explore the area. Find more information at https://turismo.puertoaysen.cl/puerto-aysen/que-hacer/.
  • There’s a visitor’s center and public bathrooms at the foot of the Mirador hill.
  • There is free Wi-Fi in the municipal library, found at the corner of Bernardo O’Higgins and Sargento Aldea.
  • For more information about the ferries to Quellón, visit www.navieraustral.cl (the service connects Puerto Chacabuco, Puerto Gaviota, Puerto Cisne, Isla Toto, Melimoyu, Santo Domingo, Raúl Marín, and Quellón).
  • For more information about the ferries to Puerto Montt, visit www.navimag.com.
  • From Puerto Chacabuco you can navigate in a smaller ship «Chaqer» to visit the Huicha Island. Navigation that takes between 4 to 6 hours.

Basic Services

  • Gas Station
  • Bank
  • Hospital
  • Auto Repair Shop
  • Bike Repair Shop
  • Cell Service
  • Police Station
  • Visitor’s Center
  • Aerodrome
  • Conaf (Park Rangers)

Visitor’s Center

Address

Esmeralda 607

Email

Turismo@puertoaysen.cl

Open year-round

Important Dates

Locals celebrate the city’s anniversary on January 28th, and during the whole month there´re different activities

Copyright 2018 Ruta de los Parques de la Patagonia