La Junta is a village and the northernmost settlement in Chile's Aysén Region. Steep mountains separate the village from Lago Rosselot to the east. Immediately west of La Junta, Río Rosselot converges with Río Palena. A massive triangular structure at the village's entrance commemorates General Augusto Pinochet and his masterpiece, the Carretera Austral. Although started in 1976, the iconic highway didn't reach La Junta till the early-1990s. Partially due to the fact that La Junta is neither a port nor very near a border crossing, the village experienced a high level of isolation before construction of Ruta 7 reached the area.
Heading north from La Junta, the Carretera Austral features two large Golden-Gate-style suspension bridges which connect the village with Chile's Los Lagos Region. Rainfall is common in La Junta and the surrounding valley. Expect damp conditions year-round.
Best in La Junta
Eat
Mi Casita de Té
Home-cooked Chilean dishes at a reasonable price. Menu del Dia for $8,000 CLP (includes bread, soup, a main dish and a dessert). The sauce served with the bread is refreshingly spicy. Bottled beer and wine available for purchase. No wifi.
Drink
Cerveceria Kawiñ
Located directly on the Carretera Austral (within the upscale Hotel Espacio y Tiempo), Cerveceria Kawiñ is an ecologically friendly company that reuses bottles and composts its waste.
Stay
Hospedaje Valdera
Cute family-owned hostel (with kitten) a block from La Junta's central plaza. Warm/cozy common area. Breakfast is included, but limited (bread, ham and cheese). Second servings available upon request.
Explore Nearby
Río Palena
The Río Palena flows just north of La Junta toward the coast eventually joining the Pacific Ocean. The río begins in Lago Vintter/Palena (Argentinian/Chilean name) and winds north through the homogenous town of Palena before veering southwest along the Carretera Austral turning west just north of La Junta. There are sections of rapids where kayaking is popular.
Puerto Raúl Marin Balmaceda
Puerto Raúl Marin Balmaceda is a small fishing village on the western border of Reserva Nacional Lago Rosselot at the mouth of Río Palena (74 km west of La Junta). Getting here requires crossing Río Palena via ferry 64km from La Junta. The free ferry runs during summer months.
Ferries from Puerto Raúl Marin Balmaceda
- North to Quellón, Chiloe via Naviera Austral
- South to Puerto Cisnes or Puerto Chacabuco, via Naviera Austral
Bike route from La Junta to Puyuhuapi