Making the most of Puerto Chacabuco
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ships anchor in the bay of Chacabuco and passengers are tendered to shore. The transfer from ship to the pier takes about 15 minutes. The tender pier is near the town center.
The town is very small, most passengers wil head 10 miles north to Puerto Aysen or to the town of Coyhaique, 38 miles away.
Coyhaique and Puerto Aisen are one of the most beautiful areas in the country, because of their natural attractions and good weather conditions, special for plenty of outdoor activities. This patagonian area -with land, air and sea accesses- holds different cities, small towns, National Reserves, rivers and lakes with marvelous landscapes. The area has wild vegetation and native animals; its topography turns it in a pleasant place to practice different sports. In Simpson River you can practice fly fishing, kayak and canoeing, while sailing is mostly done in Elizalde Lake. Also, the National Parks are attractive places of the region. In…
Getting around
Taxis are not metered. A round trip to Coyhaique should cost about 25 Euro.
Boat Tours and Excursions: Various operators offer tours of the nearby fjords and inlets, where you can see the stunning landscapes and wildlife of Patagonia.
Food and shopping
There are very few shops in Puerto Chacabuco, but a much wider range is available in Aisén.
Money
Credit Card acceptance is considerably reduced in small towns and communities, for which reason when visiting these it is recommended you take with you cash in local currency: the Chilean peso. 1 USD = 712 CLP. This will prevent any unpleasant surprises.
Staying connected
Spanish is Chile's official language
Chile has so-called cyber-cafes, stores offering Internet access. The cost of accessing the world info network varies from town to town. In Santiago, an hour online costs 4 dollars, while in Calama it costs 6 dollars, approximately. On the other hand, the main hotels and lodging places frequently offer Internet access to their guests, in many instances at no extra charge.
Ambulance service: 131 Fire Brigade: 132 Carabineros (Chilean police): 133 Drug Enforcement: 135 Andean Mountain Rescue Squad: 136 Sea Rescue: 137
Opening Hours and
Business and trade establishments in Chile are generally open to the public from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a 60 minute lunch break at 1 p.m. Saturday timetable is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In malls, the timetable is Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.