Aysén: Puerto Aysén and the historic Puente Presidente Ibáñez

Riverside setting and local history

Puerto Aysén is located on the Río Aysén and just 3 km from the Fiordo Aysén. The river and fjord are two prominent geographical landmarks for the town. In town, the historic Puente Presidente Ibáñez suspension bridge crosses the Río Aysén and connects the Ribera Norte and Ribera Sur sectors of Puerto Aysén.

Settlement in Puerto Aysén began toward the end of the 19th century; the town was officially founded on January 28, 1928. These two dates mark different periods in the town’s history: settlement began before the official founding. This distinguishes the start of settlement from the town’s formal founding.

Road and bus connections

The paved Camino Coyhaique–Puerto Aysén is 67 km long, runs from east to west, and is considered scenic. If you include the route in your travel plans, bear in mind that road conditions can change and check them in advance.

Buses run daily between Coyhaique and Puerto Aysén, approximately every one to two hours. Buses also run daily between Puerto Aysén and Puerto Chacabuco, at approximate intervals of 1.5 hours. The departure frequency therefore differs by route. Check current departures before traveling rather than treating the approximate intervals as fixed times.

Trails and activities in the surrounding area

The nearby Reserva Nacional Río Simpson is located on the road between Coyhaique and Puerto Aysén. The easy Sendero Los Colonos trail there is 3.4 km long and takes about two hours in total. The Sendero de Los Pioneros also runs through the reserve. It begins at the former route between Puerto Aysén and Coyhaique and is 3 km each way. The round trip along the same route is therefore 6 km. The two trails thus differ both in length and in whether the distance is given as a total or one way. Check current conditions before setting out on either trail; the status of Sendero Los Colonos may change due to weather or management decisions.

Kayaking trips on the Río Los Palos lead to Lago Los Palos; a route on the Río Aysén goes as far as Bahía Acantilada. The trips are considered especially scenic. Their destinations offer different highlights: one route leads to a lake, while the other goes as far as a bay. Access through local operators may vary.

In the Río Los Palos valley, horseback rides through evergreen forest to Cerro Nevado are available. Along the way, there are views of the Puerto Aysén valley and part of Lago Los Palos. The forest, views, and kayaking destinations offer different perspectives on the surrounding landscape.

There are also several places to fish around Puerto Aysén: the Río Aysén, the Río Blanco, Lago Riesco, and Lago Portales. The options include both rivers and lakes. Regulations and conditions may change; check the current rules before planning a fishing trip.

Discover more destinations: Cisnes

For the broader travel overview: Provincia Aisén.