Located in a small bay on the Puyuhuapi Channel, next to the mouth of the Cisnes River, in front of Isla Magdalena National Park and near Queulat National Park, Puerto Cisnes is surrounded by rich vegetation. The street that winds along its shores borders a gorgeous beach, and its inhabitants work to preserve the traditions and stories brought here by the first settlers who came to the area.

The town was incorporated in 1965 but existed for 10 years before that. Puerto Cisnes is one of the main ports in this vast, isolated region, which includes fishing villages like Puerto Gaviota and Puerto Gala. The town is known for handicrafts made from fish skin and a fried fish festival that the community holds each year.

Lodging, Food, and Activities

In Puerto Cisnes, you’ll find various alternatives for lodging, along with restaurants cooking delicious hake, trout, and conger eel dishes. You can also find vendors selling traditional handicrafts from the area made with fish skin, amongst other artisanal products. Find out more at:

Region

Puerto Cisnes

Province

Aysén

Population

2.507

Climate and Rainfall

Rainy and temperate, 98 inches of rainfall annually

Nearest National Park(s)

Isla Magdalena National Park

Queulat National Park

Don’t Miss

  • You can find an ATM and a gas station in Puerto Cisnes.
  • Naviera Austral sells ferry tickets in Puerto Cisnes. Contact the office at + 56 67 346426.
  • Remember to check ferry schedules and reserve your tickets on Naviera
  • Austral’s website prior to your journey. We suggest arriving an hour before the ferry departs, especially during January and February, when demand is highest.
  • Check ferry schedules at http://www.navieraustral.cl/rutas/ruta-cordillea-corta and http://www.navieraustral.cl/rutas/ruta-cordillera.
  • Route X-25, which connects Puerto Cisnes to the Carretera Austral, is paved.
  • A few of the bus and transport companies in Puerto Cisnes include: Transporte y Viajes Especiales Eduardo Cárdenas (+569 523 28 589), Transporte Raquelita (Gabriela Mistral 202), Transporte Alegría (Piloto Pardo Nº 354 / Phone + 56 67 234 64 34 +569 822 93 566), Transporte Terra Austral (Piloto Pardo 368 / Phone + 56 67234 67 57 / +569 876 98 992), and Transportes y Viajes Especiales Cecilia Levipani Moya (at the corner of Hernando de Magallanes and Carlos Condell / Phone +569 567 47 190 / +569 947 23 903).

How to get

From Coyhaique, travel 129 miles north on the Carretera Austral, then take Route X-25 for 20 miles until you reach Puerto Cisnes. If you’re coming from Chaitén, travel south 171 miles and, once you pass Queulat National Park, take Route X-25.

From the Municipal Terminal in Coyhaique, take one of the buses traveling daily to Puerto Cisnes (Terraustral and Sao Paulo).

Naviera Austral ferries run from Quellón and Puerto Chacabuco to Puerto Cisnes, a bay located 20 miles west of the Carretera Austral.

The nearest airport is in Balmaceda. In Chaitén, the companies Pewen and Aerocord offer daily flights to Puerto Montt.

Tips

  • You can find an ATM and a gas station in Puerto Cisnes.
  • Naviera Austral sells ferry tickets in Puerto Cisnes. Contact the office at + 56 67 346426.
  • Remember to check ferry schedules and reserve your tickets on Naviera Austral’s website prior to your journey. We suggest arriving an hour before the ferry departs, especially during January and February, when demand is highest.
  • Check ferry schedules at http://www.navieraustral.cl/rutas/ruta-cordillea-corta and http://www.navieraustral.cl/rutas/ruta-cordillera.
    Route X-25, which connects Puerto Cisnes to the Carretera Austral, is paved.
  • A few of the bus and transport companies in Puerto Cisnes include: Transporte y Viajes Especiales Eduardo Cárdenas (+569 523 28 589), Transporte Raquelita (Gabriela Mistral 202), Transporte Alegría (Piloto Pardo Nº 354 / Phone + 56 67 234 64 34 +569 822 93 566), Transporte Terra Austral (Piloto Pardo 368 / Phone + 56 67234 67 57 / +569 876 98 992), and Transportes y Viajes Especiales Cecilia Levipani Moya (at the corner of Hernando de Magallanes and Carlos Condell / Phone +569 567 47 190 / +569 947 23 903).

Basic Services

  • Gas Station
  • ATM
  • Hospital
  • Auto Repair Shop
  • Bike Repair Shop
  • Cell Service
  • Police Station
  • Visitor’s Center
  • Aerodrome

Visitor’s Center

There’s a visitor’s center at the municipal plaza. It’s only open in the summer.

Important Dates

The last weekend in January each year, the town holds its well-known Fried Fish Festival.

The town celebrates its anniversary the second week of February.

Copyright 2018 Ruta de los Parques de la Patagonia