Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Back to Putre

In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.

Voykit pocket guide · Chile

Putre

Spend 1–2 days in Putre as an altitude‑acclimation base for Lauca National Park; arrive by bus or car from Arica (≈130 km).

Putre is a high‑altitude village (3,500 m) on the edge of Lauca National Park. It serves as the main stop for park visits and offers basic lodging, a historic church and a short market square. One night is enough to acclimatise and explore the park; two nights allow a relaxed visit to the park’s lagoons and wildlife.

SantiagoAchaoAlgarroboAncudAntofagastaAricaCalamaCalderaCastroChaiténChillánConcepciónCopiapóCoquimboPutre1,000 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Chile
Best months
Dec–Mar (more rain, milder days)
Avoid
Jun–Aug (dry, colder nights)
Stay
1–2 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
CLP
Money
Currency is the Chilean peso (CLP, $). Cards are widely accepted; carry cash for small shops, markets and rural buses.
Daily spend
Budget CLP 12,000–20,000 excl. bed · Mid CLP 20,000–35,000 excl. bed · High CLP 35,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Entel, Movistar, WOM and Claro sell prepaid SIMs; foreign phones may need IMEI registration after a period — check.
Emergency
Police 133 · Ambulance 131 · Fire 132
Plugs
Types C, L · 220 V · 50 Hz · European plugs fit; Type L is Italian three-pin.
Tipping
Restaurants: 10% suggested on the bill; you may decline.; Guides and drivers: CLP 5,000–15,000 a day.; Supermarket packers: A few hundred pesos.
Water
Tap water is safe in most cities; boil or filter in rural areas and on treks.
Toilets
Paper in the bin in older buildings; bus terminals charge.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Meal set (incl. soup)5,000–5,500 CLP
Alpaca meat dish≈6,000 CLP
Mate de coca drink≈2,000 CLP
Taxi Arica → Putre≈70,000 CLP

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

ARI · Arica International Airport
≈130 km (81 mi) east; bus or taxi to Putre.

Typical fares

Bus Arica → Putre (La Paloma)
about 10,000 CLP per person, 2 h travel (check schedule)
Lauca park tour (local guide)
≈45,000 CLP per person, 4–5 h
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Bus from Arica (La Paloma) departs 06:50, returns 14:00; taxis cost ~70,000 CLP; local tours (Mr. Oriolf) charge ~45,000 CLP for park trips.

See and do

Known for

  • Lauca National Park gateway
  • Iglesia de San Ildefonso (National Monument)
  • O'Higgins historic street

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Lauca National ParkLocal tour (Mr. Oriolf) or self‑drive; 30 min from Putre≈1 h total

Sleep

Hostal Cali
Shared bathroom, no heating; from 25,000 CLP per night.
Hotel Cumbre Real
Breakfast included; ~37,000 CLP, may drop to 25,000 CLP on request.
La Chakana
Bungalows with heating, breakfast; higher‑end option.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryDisculpedisˈkulpe
Thank youGraciasˈɡɾasjas
How much is it?¿Cuánto cuesta?ˈkwanto ˈkwesta
I have altitude sicknessTengo mal de alturaˈteŋɡo ˈmal de alˈtuɾa

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: One cheek kiss (women) or handshake; avoid: Skipping the greeting
  • Politics: Listen; avoid: Opinions on Pinochet with strangers
  • Dinner: Eat late (from 21:00); avoid: Expecting 18:00 dinners
  • Nature: Carry out rubbish; avoid: Leaving trails or lighting fires

Scams and watch-outs

  • Altitude (3,500 m) can cause sickness; drink coca‑mate.
  • Border area minefields – check routes with locals.
  • Roadwork can add an hour to the Arica‑Putre drive; verify before travel.

Generally safe; main risks are altitude sickness and remote border minefields – stay on marked paths and check local advice.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Putre yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Lauca National Park gateway
  • Iglesia de San Ildefonso (National Monument)
  • O'Higgins historic street

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Putre

A esta dirección, por favor

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

US consulate in Santiago; nearest Chilean consular services in Arica.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/putre). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.