Marble Caves
The Marble Caves are one of Aysen’s most beautiful natural sights: surreal rock cathedrals in a glacial lake that can be explored by boat or kayak.
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Reasons to visit Coyhaique
- Explore one of Chile's youngest cities, and main entry point to Aysen for those flying to the region
- Spend a day walking the trails through lenga and pine forest to lakes and mountain views in Coyhaique Reserve
- Stock up on craft beers and local delicacies, or wander the markets in the central square
- Head out along the Carretera Austral on one of the world’s most spectacular road trips
- Lace up your boots to go hiking in the mountains of nearby Cerro Castillo National Park, Aysen’s hidden jewel
What to see & do around Coyhaique
Coyhaique Reserve
The Reserva Nacional Coyhaique is a nature reserve covering over 6600 acres (nearly 2700 hectares of protected native forest, with some wonderful birdlife. It is threaded with a series of trails that wind thick pine and mature lenga forest, including the popular half day Laguna Verde trail which snakes around a crystal clear lake full of rainbow trout.
A more strenuous full day hike takes you all the way up to the 4465 feet (1361 m) summit of Cerro Cinchao itself. Here you'll get amazing views of the entire city and all the surrounding mountains that tower above it.
Coyhaique town
Coyhaique is a pleasant place to relax after adventures in remote Aysen. The historic centre is the Plaza de Armas, a pentagonal plaza is the historical centre of Coyhaique, where ten straight roads converge. It is a peaceful place to enjoy a pisco sour, coffee or one of Coyhaique’s many great craft beers. There is a colourful daily craft market here (except Sundays) , wood carvings, leather goods, basketry works and pottery.
The excellent Regional Museum of Aysen shows the heritage of the indigenous inhabitants and settlers in the region. An eclectic mix of displays brings the history and culture of Aysen to life, though all exhibits are in Spanish.
Coyhaique town
Felipe says
Although it feels more like a big town than a city, the bright lights of Coyhaique are dazzling after a few days hiking and camping in Aysen's mountains. Luckily, the local craft beer scene helps with the culture shock!
Felipe Cruzat Patagonia Sales Consultant
Carretera Austral
Coyhaique sits right in the middle of the 745 mile (1200 km) Carretera Austral highway, making it one of the best places to start an epic road trip. The highway passes through forests, plains and valleys, past fjords, hanging glaciers, wild snowy mountains and sparkling glacial rivers.
To the north lies the Queulat National Park, where you can explore its temperate rainforest in search of hanging glaciers and waterfalls. Drive south from Coyhaique and you'll head into the mountainous Cerro Castillo National Park for some of Chile's best trekking, and onto wildlife-rich Patagonia National Park for more adventure.
Driving the Carretera Austral
Cerro Castillo National Park
Cerro Castillo National Park is just under two hours' drive south from Coyhaique. This is a place where the big mountains come out to play, with craggy snow-capped ramparts, serene glacier lakes and thick forest.
The mountains here are a hiker's paradise, and the trails and scenery here are arguable the equal of anything on offer in Torres del Paine: with the added bonus of having them almost completely to yourself.
With day hikes, multi-day treks and horse riding adventures all on offer, Cerro Castillo is without doubt Aysen's greatest adventure secret waiting to be discovered.
Hiking in Cerro Castillo National Park
Swoop says
Coyhaique had an excellent food scene, with some of the best new Patagonian cuisine cooked up here. Whether you're after a special meal at a picada (local restaurant) or buying empanadas for a day on the Carretera Austral, you'll find the best places within a few blocks of the Central Plaza.
Where to stay in Coyhaique
As the biggest transport hub along the Carretera Austral, you’d expect Coyhaique to have a good selection of accommodation, and the city has comfortable sleeping options for all budgets and styles.
With Coyhaique at the foot of a mountain, the steep streets leading up the hillside give the opportunity for some fantastic views from a number of boutique hotels and lodges.
If you'd prefer to be closer to the action, more central hotels are often a little easier on the budget, and will give you quicker access to all the cafes, restaurants and the central plaza.
Patagonia House, Coyhaique
How to get to Coyhaique
Coyhaique is 34 miles (55 km) from Balmaceda airport (code BBA) , the main gateway to Aysen, which has direct flights to Santiago, Punta Arenas (for Torres del Paine) and Puerto Montt (for the Chilean Lake District).
By road, it is 58 miles (93 km) south to Cerro Castillo National Park, and 135 miles (218 km) to Puerto Río Tranquillo, for the Marble Caves and Lago General Carrera.
Heading north, it is 260 miles (420 km) to Chaitén, for its regional aiport and Queulat National Park.
Balmaceda airport near Coyhaique
Discover more of Aysen
Hiking in Aysen
Chile’s Aysen region is full of wild mountains, glacial lakes and lush forest, with epic trails waiting to be discovered by the pioneering hiker.
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Horse riding in Aysen
Saddle up in Aysen for horse riding excursions or to follow long cross-country trails, exploring the deep wilderness with the spirit of Patagonia’s gauchos.
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Kayaking in Aysen
Kayaking in Aysen gives you access to some wildly remote corners, where you can travel for days without seeing any signs of civilization.
Discover MoreWhy Swoop
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