Los Ríos · Chile
Experiences and local guides in Valdivia
River city known for craft beer, where you can paddle through wetlands full of black-necked swans, sail to the Spanish forts of Corral and walk the coastal rainforest of Oncol Park.
Nature
Valdivia sits where the Calle-Calle, Cau-Cau and Cruces rivers meet to form the Valdivia river, about 15 km from the Pacific Ocean. The 1960 earthquake sank riverside land and created vast wetlands, including the Carlos Anwandter Nature Sanctuary on the Cruces river, Chile's first Ramsar site, home to thousands of black-necked swans. Towards the coast, the Coastal Range preserves Valdivian rainforest with olivillo and ulmo trees and giant ferns. It is one of the rainiest cities in the country, and sea lions come right up to the riverside market.
Activities
- Kayak or SUP on the Calle-Calle, Cau-Cau and Angachilla rivers and their wetlands, half-day outings at an easy level all year round
- Boat trips from the Schuster pier through the Carlos Anwandter Sanctuary to the village of Punucapa, or downriver to Corral and Mancera Island
- The 17th and 18th century Spanish fort system at Niebla, Corral and Mancera, with a site museum in Niebla and launches between Niebla and Corral
- Oncol Park, about 30 km away, with coastal rainforest trails and viewpoints on Cerro Oncol (715 m) overlooking volcanoes and the Pacific
- Craft and German-style breweries in the city, on Isla Teja and along the road to Niebla, a legacy of 19th century German settlement
- Birdwatching in the urban wetlands and walks along the riverfront, the river market and the Isla Teja botanical garden
When to go
From December to March there is less rain and pleasant temperatures for kayaking and boat trips; in February the Noche Valdiviana fills the river with illuminated boats. The rest of the year it rains often, but the wetlands and swans can be seen in any season; always bring waterproof clothing.
How to get there
Pichoy airport (ZAL), 32 km northeast, 30 to 40 minutes by shuttle or taxi, with daily flights from Santiago (1 h 30). By bus from Santiago: 11 to 12 hours, with overnight departures; from Temuco about 2 h 30 and from Puerto Montt about 3 h 30. Niebla is 18 km away, about 25 minutes by bus or shared taxi, and from there launches cross to Corral and Mancera Island.
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Local operators identified in Valdivia (6)
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