Aysén (Región de Aysén)

Late SettlementFor a long time, only indigenous groups lived in Aysén: coastal nomads like the Chonos and Kawésqar, who navigated the channels by canoe, and in the eastern steppe, the Aónikenk. The region was only developed by the state in the 20th century. Initially, Chile granted large land concessions to livestock companies such as the Sociedad Industrial de Aysén, followed by settlers from southern Chile and many Chileans who had previously lived in Argentina. German-speaking immigrants founded Puyuhuapi on the edge of the Queulat in the 1930s.Living with the VastnessThe region's culture is still shaped by livestock farming today. The local Gauchos, often referred to as baqueanos, herd sheep and cattle over long distances, and Rodeos and Jineteadas are among the most important summer festivals. Mate is drunk significantly more often here than in northern Chile, a legacy of the close connection to Argentina.Simple wooden houses with tin roofs characterize most towns. With the construction of the Carretera Austral starting in the 1970s, many settlements were connected to the rest of the country by land for the first time; previously, boat and horse were the only links.

The region is primarily accessed by a single road: the Carretera Austral, Ruta 7, which stretches over 1,200 kilometers from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins. As of 2026, barely half is paved; approximately 700 kilometers remain gravel or dirt track with loose surfaces and sharp stones. In 2026, the government announced plans to completely pave the section up to Cochrane, and construction is underway on several segments. Expect roadworks; plan for a spare tire and a time buffer.You can arrive in three ways: by plane to Balmaceda, about 55 kilometers southeast of Coyhaique; by ferry from Puerto Montt or Quellón to Puerto Chacabuco; or overland through Argentina. Several sections of the Carretera itself are only passable by ferry; you should pre-book these connections during high season.Public buses run between larger towns, but infrequently and not daily. If you want flexibility, rent a vehicle, ideally with high ground clearance. Gas stations are far apart, so fill up whenever the opportunity arises.