Coyhaique
Coyhaique is the capital of Chile's Aysén Region and a base for lakes, rivers and forest trails along the Carretera Austral.
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Coyhaique is the capital of the Aysén Region in southern Chile, set in the Patagonian foothills. It sits on the Carretera Austral (Route 7), the long road that runs south through Aysén and is partly gravel and partly paved. You can reach the town by flying into Balmaceda airport, about an hour's drive away, or by long bus from Puerto Montt. The town itself is small, with shops, cafés and services for travelers heading into the wilderness.
Coyhaique works well as a base for day trips and multi-day hikes in nearby reserves, such as Cerro Castillo, and for fishing, rafting and horseback riding in the region's rivers and valleys. Nearby terrain mixes lakes, forested valleys and open steppe. Summer, roughly December to March, is the easiest season for roads and trails, though rain and wind can arrive in any month. Plan at least three to four days for the town and one or two nearby areas, and more if you plan to drive the Carretera Austral.
Coyhaique in five
- Get a transfer or rental car from BalmacedaBalmaceda airport (BBA) is about an hour's drive from Coyhaique. Book a rental car or a pre-arranged transfer before you land.Getting around
- Carry Chilean pesos for the Carretera AustralSmall villages and some fuel stops take cash only, and card machines can fail in remote places. Withdraw pesos in Coyhaique before you head out.Money and costs
- Download offline maps before you leave townMobile coverage drops out along Route 7 and in the valleys. Save offline maps and your bookings, and keep a paper map in the car.Phones and eSIM
- Fill the fuel tank in CoyhaiqueFuel stations are far apart once you leave town on Route 7. Fill up before each long stretch of the road.
- Get insurance that covers evacuationRemote road trips can end far from a hospital. Check that the policy covers medical transfers and damage to a rental car on gravel roads.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- Chilean peso (CLP)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check your nationality before you fly
- Emergency
- 133 police (Carabineros), 132 fire, 131 ambulance
- Tipping
- Not required; a 10% tip is customary, often added to the bill
- Time
- UTC-3
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Long days, peak crowdsJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days, peak crowds
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Warm, long daysFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Early autumnMarchRain
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 142 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Early autumn
- AprilRain15 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Autumn colorsAprilRain
Good
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn colors
- MayRain15 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low2°Cold, rainMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 139 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, rain
- JuneRain16 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low-1°Winter, snowJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 179 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Winter, snow
- JulyRain17 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh4°Low-2°Coldest monthJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 165 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Coldest month
- AugustRain17 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh5°Low0°Cold, wetAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 160 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, wet
- SeptemberRain16 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low1°Spring, wetSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 131 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, wet
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh10°Low2°Spring, windyOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, windy
- NovemberRain14 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh13°Low4°Spring, long daysNovemberRain
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 133 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Spring, long days
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Long daysDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 108 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
Average daily high and low in Coyhaique, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Coyhaique
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 55%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 45%
Coyhaique
05:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today13°5°45%Monday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Tue14°4°82%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Wed10°7°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu14°3°92%Thursday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Fri15°0°2%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 15°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat14°6°1%Saturday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Sun18°6°2%Sunday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 03:14 PM local time · 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
- Puerto Aysénabout 1 hour by roadA fishing port and coastal views, a short run west.
- Reserva Nacional Coyhaiqueabout 20 min by carTrails and lookouts in the reserve close to town.
- Cerro Castilloabout 2 hours by roadPeaks and lake views in the national reserve to the southwest.
Before you go to Coyhaique
Rules for Coyhaique, checked
- Declare food, plants and animal products on arrival. Chile's agriculture service SAG inspects bags and bans many fresh items.Source
- Check Chile's entry requirements on the official government site before you fly, since visa-free stays depend on your passport.
Plan around Coyhaique
Regions, cities and how to link them with Aysén
Read the guideGetting aroundRental cars, buses and fuel on Route 7
Read the guideMoney and cardsPesos in cash and where cards fail
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules to check before you book flights
Read the guideWhere to stayBases in town and near the reserves
Read the guidePhones and eSIMCoverage gaps along the Carretera Austral
Read the guideCoyhaique FAQ
Is Coyhaique worth visiting?
Yes, as a base for Route 7 and the reserves and parks of Aysén. It is a small town, so one or two nights in town is enough before you move on.
How do you get to Coyhaique?
Fly into Balmaceda (BBA), about an hour's drive away, or take a long bus from Puerto Montt. Rent a car if you plan to drive the Carretera Austral.
How many days do you need in Coyhaique?
Two days cover the town, the Reserva Nacional Coyhaique and a trip to Puerto Aysén. Add more days if you are driving Route 7.
Do I need a car in Coyhaique?
For the Carretera Austral and most reserves, yes. You can walk around the town, but most sights lie outside it, so a car is the practical choice.
What is the weather like in Coyhaique?
Winters are cold and wet, and the long summer days suit a visit best. Check the months list below for the best times to go.