Population
~57,000
Region
Aysén
Highlights
Reserva Nacional Coyhaique
Reserva Nacional Río Simpson
Valle Simpson
Welcome back to civilization! Coyhaique is the largest city and capital of Aysén, Chile's least populated region. The city is perched near the edge of the vast Patagonian steppe, protected from southerly winds by the overhanging Cerro Divisadero and westerlies by the mountains of Reserva Nacional Río Simpson — these conditions make it one of the drier settlements in Chilean Patagonia. During the summer, Coyhaique is bustling with adventurers, wandering the downtown streets, gathering last-minute expedition supplies and frequenting local watering holes. Exceptional trekking is available at nearby national reserves and, in winter, the nearby ski resort of El Fraile is a popular destination for powder heads (1-day pass: $16,000 CLP).
In the regional hub of Coyhaique, visitors can enjoy the perks of a large city: bike shops, discotheques, ATM(s), massive supermarkets, and one behemoth of a hardware store (where you can finally get that white gas you've been searching for).
Best in Coyhaique
Eat
Bajo Marquesina
Football (soccer) themed bar in downtown Coyhaique. Fair prices, large portions and a festive atmosphere. Sip on a schop (draft beer) as you watch a match or explore the attached football museum — featuring memorabilia & photos and loaded with information on the history of the sport. The owner's attention to detail is world-class. For example, the place is tiled, floor to ceiling, with vintage football jerseys and, when it's time to pay, the tab comes within a referee's book. You won't regret visiting this bar. If you're a football fan, it's a must-visit.
Stay
Aumkenk Aike Hostel
Clean, comfortable hostel with private and shared rooms. The owner, Farid, resonates buena onda (good vibes), speaks fluent English, and is full of information on the surrounding area — also, ask him to show you his fossils. The kitchen is fully-equipped and there is a large garage to store bikes (& probably motorcycles). The cozy common room is a great place to watch a movie and hang with Pumi, the hostel's resident feline.
Bike route from Coyhaique to Villa Cerro Castillo