Introducing Chaitén & Parque Pumalín
An emerald umbrella on the rainy bay, the yawning outpost of Chaitén is little more than a six by eight grid of wide streets. The only town near Parque Pumalín, it’s also a major transport stop for the ultrarural Carretera Austral. If you arrive by ferry; the port is a 10-minute walk northwest of town. Around the plaza are the post office, Entel and Banco del Estado (cnr Libertad & O’Higgins), which exchanges cash at poor rates and has an ATM. The tourist kiosk (cnr Costanera & O’Higgins; 9am-9pm Jan-Feb) lists lodgings. Pumalín Information Center (O’Higgins 62) has park information and reserves cabins. A bastion of local information, Chaitur (731-429; nchaitur@hotmail.com; O’Higgins 67) organizes excursions with bilingual guides to Pumalín, the Yelcho glacier, Termas de Amarillo and beaches with sea-lion colonies. Regional buses are based here and the agency also can provide general tour assistance, in English as well.
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Travel Alert: The town of Chaitén is under continued threat from the ongoing volcanic activity of the nearby Chaitén volcano. Any travellers visiting the surrounding Los Lagos region should exercise caution and monitor news reports. Check Safe Travel for current government warnings, or the BBC for news on the situation.
Last updated: Jan 26, 2010
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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Chaiten volcano under red alert
by gregybn 18 February 2010
February 17, 2010 Chile's Chaiten volcano has been placed under red alert due to an increase in seismic activity for three weeks, the…
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RE: Chaiten
by Fernando 19 February 2009
unfortunately, the Government tends to overreact about Chaiten Volcano, the situation in Chaiten town is normal, no ashes (more in Futa…
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RE: The Carretera Austral - some questions
by Fernando 25 September 2008
it is a bit rushed, but if you have no alternative, a probable schedule can be like this (IMO) day 1 Bariloche-Esquel-Trevelin-Futaleufu…
See all Thorn Tree forum discussions for Chaitén & Parque Pumalín
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