Puerto Rio Tranquilo is in Patagonia, on the shores of Lake General Carrera.
Understand
Puerto Rio Tranquilo is a small tourist-oriented town in Patagonia. The main tourist season is from December to February, when the town is crowded with tourists, many of them Chileans. There is very little activity outside of the high season, and many establishments close down entirely during the winter months.
Get in
The bus from Coyhaique to Cochrane stops in Puerto Rio Tranquilo. Several companies run this route on very similar schedules, leaving Coyhaique at either 09:00 or 09:30 and arriving in Puerto Rio Tranquilo around 13:00 or 14:00 respectively (May 2016). They cost CLP$10,000 (May 2016). The return bus from Cochrane to Coyhaique passes through Puerto Rio Tranquilo around 11:00, arriving back in Coyhaique around 15:30. There is no bus station in Puerto Rio Tranquilo; the buses stop on the main road where the tourist information center is.
Get around
See
Puerto Rio Tranquilo's main attraction is the Marble Caves. These can be visited by hiring a boat from one of the agencies along the lakefront. A boat tour costs CLP$10,000 per person.
Turismo Rio Exploradores runs 1-, 2-, and 3-day tours to the Laguna San Rafael glacier.
Do
It's possible to rent kayaks for CLP$35,000 for 3 hours from one of the tourist agencies on the main road.
Buy
Eat
Many of the hostels will provide dinner if ordered in advance.
Drink
Sleep
There are many small hostels and guesthouses in the town and nearby. During the December-January high season, it is advisable to book accommodations in advance. Otherwise, it's easy to find a room upon arrival.
- Hostal Los Pinos (1 block away from the main street). Dinner is CLP$7,000 upon request, WiFi. CLP$30,000 double.
Connect
Go next
- Laguna San Rafael National Park - a road from Puerto Rio Tranquility is under construction