“Camp between rivers,” precisely KOI AIKE in Tehuelche language, is a valley between the Simpson and Coyhaique rivers, surrounded by the mountain ranges of the Patagonian Andes and vast grasslands. The regional capital and main urban center is located just 50 minutes from Balmaceda Airport, accessible by a paved road, offering all the services and facilities of a Patagonian city.
A young city with only 92 years of history, Coyhaique boasts a diverse gastronomic and craft beer scene, as well as local products. In its tranquil central streets, you can find shops with everything you need for outdoor activities, especially mountain trekking and recreational fishing.
Rooted in its history based on sheep farming and wool, our Monument to the Shepherd is one of the most representative sites of the city, along with the Stone of the Indian and the Mate Monument (traditional South American drink). Surely, you will take a souvenir photo at these locations. From the only pentagonal square, Plaza de Armas in Chile, where 10 streets converge, to the Coyhaique National Reserve, there is a distance of just 3 km; this reserve is ideal for hiking and observing flora and fauna. The Dos Lagunas Natural Monument, located 20 km towards Camino a Coyhaique Alto, offers the opportunity to walk amidst native ñirre forests, spot diverse bird species, and enjoy views of the vast grasslands and El Toro and Escondida lagoons.
Our most recent pride is the Aysén Regional Museum, located in the restored facilities of the Historical Monument “Sociedad Industrial de Aysén” dating back to 1903, restored by a team of regional collaborators. Today, it houses the young history of colonization in our region and showcases the unparalleled diversity of Patagonia’s natural wealth.
- Include this must-see experience in your trip to the destination From Prairies to Fjords, Coyhaique – Puerto Aysén
- Coyhaique is our beloved “Mountain Town”
- Recreational fishing on the Simpson River, one of the favorites for this sport.
- A visit to the Aysén Regional Museum is a must for its incomparable interpretation of the cultural and natural heritage of the region.
- An awe-inspiring encounter with the “King of the Andes,” the Condor, the largest flying bird in the world.
- The Calafate, an evergreen thorny shrub endemic to Patagonia, offers a wild summer berry rich in antioxidants, perfect for preparing pisco sour. According to the Tehuelche Myth, “One who tastes the calafate fruit will always return to Patagonia.”
- As you walk through the city, don’t be surprised to find apple and/or cherry trees in most yards.
- The pristine waters of Patagonia have given rise to a varied craft beer scene that you can try at the city’s bars and along the Carretera Austral.
- The multicolored vegetable and flower gardens are a spring and summer gift, where you can pick them yourself and enjoy them fresh from the land to your table.
- The experience and flavors of Patagonian barbecue are unforgettable, thanks to the secrets and care of the local hosts.
- Coyhaique is a space that inspires creation; we can coordinate an encounter with regional art.
- Reference locations: 2 hour flight from Santiago to Balmaceda Airport, located 50 minutes from Coyhaique.