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Introducing Chaitén & Parque Pumalín
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.
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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.
Last updated: Sep 21, 2009
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