Cajón del Maipo
Roughly 1 to 2 hours from Santiago, this Andes valley has river views, hot springs and mountain trails for a day trip or a weekend away.
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Cajón del Maipo is a valley in the Andes of central Chile, roughly one to two hours southeast of Santiago by car. The Maipo River runs down its length, and the road follows it up a narrow canyon past small villages, farmland and steep rock walls. San José de Maipo is the main village and the usual base for visitors who want lodging, restaurants and tour operators close by.
People come here for the hot springs, the river and the hiking trails that climb toward high Andean peaks and reservoirs. Day trips from Santiago are common, but two or three nights give you time for longer walks and a slower pace. Summer, roughly December to March, is the easiest time for road access and trails. In winter, snow can close the upper roads, so check conditions before you set out.
Cajón del Maipo in five
- Buy a Bip! card for Santiago's transportThe Bip! card works on Metro and city buses, and you tap it on every ride. Buy one at a Metro station before you travel to the bus terminal for the valley.Getting around
- Carry Chilean pesos into the valleySmall shops and village stops up the Cajón may only take cash, so withdraw pesos in Santiago before you leave.
- Check road conditions before you drive up the valleyThe road narrows and climbs above San José de Maipo, and it can close in bad weather. Check current conditions with local authorities the same morning you set out.
- Check your policy covers mountain walksConfirm that your policy covers the hikes and high-altitude walks you plan, since some policies exclude them.Travel insurance
- Save 133 and 131 before you go133 is the police (Carabineros) and 131 the ambulance. Phone signal drops in the upper valley, so note where the nearest clinic is in San José de Maipo.
Need to know
- Currency
- Chilean peso (CLP)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; check the immigration service before you fly Read more
- Emergency
- 133 police, 131 ambulance, 132 fire
- Tipping
- About 10% at restaurants; check the bill for a tip already added
- Time
- UTC-4 in winter, UTC-3 in summer; daylight saving applies
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryHot, busy
- FebruaryWarm, dry
- MarchWarm, fewer crowds
- AprilAutumn color
- MayCooling, quiet
- JuneSnow, roads risk
- JulyCold, snow
- AugustCold, snow
- SeptemberSnowmelt, rivers high
- OctoberSpring, green
- NovemberLong days
- DecemberSummer, busy
Right now in Cajón del Maipo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
19
- Feels like
- 17°
- Humidity
- 56%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 78%
Cajón del Maipo
05:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today3°-2°78%Monday: Drizzle. High 3°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Tue-1°-4°98%Tuesday: Snow. High -1°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed3°-4°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 3°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu4°-1°78%Thursday: Drizzle. High 4°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Fri0°-4°61%Friday: Snow. High 0°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Sat7°-4°2%Saturday: Clear. High 7°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sun8°2°6%Sunday: Clear. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 6%.
Updated 05:23 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 990.8 CLP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Santiagoabout 1.5 to 2 hours by busMuseums, markets and restaurants, then back up the valley by bus.
- Baños Moralesabout 1 hour by road from San José de MaipoHot springs and trailheads in the upper valley.
- El Yeso reservoirabout 2 hours by road from San José de MaipoA high mountain reservoir, reached by a long drive.
Before you go to Cajón del Maipo
Rules for Cajón del Maipo, checked
- Check entry requirements on Chile's immigration service site (serviciomigraciones.cl) before you fly, since visa-free stays depend on your passport.Source
- Declare fresh food, plants and animal products on arrival. The agricultural service SAG inspects them, and undeclared items can be confiscated.
- Carry your passport and driver's license when you drive in the valley, and check road conditions before you set out.
- Take your trash out with you, keep to marked trails, and follow the rules posted at park and reserve entrances.
Plan around Cajón del Maipo
Cities, valleys, entry and money in one place
Read the guideGetting aroundBuses from Santiago and the valley road
Read the guideMoney and cardsPesos, cards and cash for villages
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and what to check
Read the guideWhere to stayVillage bases and when to book
Read the guidePhones and eSIMSignal in the valley and data plans
Read the guideCajón del Maipo FAQ
Is Cajón del Maipo worth visiting?
Yes, for a day trip from Santiago or two nights in the valley. The draw is the river gorge, hot springs and mountain trails, and the valley is much quieter than the city.
How do you get to Cajón del Maipo from Santiago?
Take a bus from a Santiago bus terminal to San José de Maipo, about 1.5 to 2 hours. A rental car gives you more freedom in the upper valley, where bus times are limited.
How many days do you need in Cajón del Maipo?
One day covers the lower valley and a short walk. Two nights let you reach the upper valley and its hot springs at a relaxed pace.
Where should I stay in Cajón del Maipo?
San José de Maipo has the buses and shops. Baños Morales suits hot springs and trailheads, and Santiago suits late dinners and a bus ride up the valley.
Do I need a car in Cajón del Maipo?
Not for the lower valley. A car makes the upper valley much easier because public transport there runs less often.
Is there phone signal in the valley?
Signal drops in the upper valley. Download offline maps in Santiago before you leave, and save the emergency numbers.