Major city · 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 (81 mi)).Spend 1–2 days in Putre as an altitude‑acclimation base for Lauca National Park; arrive by bus or car from Arica (≈81 mi (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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CLP
- Best months
- Dec–Mar (more rain, milder days)
- avoid Jun–Aug (dry, colder nights)
- Airport
- ARI
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Chile ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Chile's National Migration Service or a Chilean consulate; keep the entry slip or digital record you receive.
- Chile ↗Torres del Paine: campsites and refugios on the W and O treks must be booked in advance, and the park requires an entry ticket bought ahead; check the official park (CONAF) channels.
- Chile ↗Chile strictly controls food imports: declare fruit, meat, dairy, seeds and honey on arrival, or throw them away before customs.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Putre133 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Putre, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Chilean peso (CLP, $).Chile-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEntel, Movistar, WOM and Claro sell prepaid SIMs; foreign phones may need IMEI registration after a period — check.Chile-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most cities; boil or filter in rural areas and on treks.Chile-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% suggested on the bill; you may decline.Chile-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Chile-wide
- SafetycheckGenerally safe; main risks are altitude sickness and remote border minefields – stay on marked paths and check local advice.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin in older buildings; bus terminals charge.Chile-wide
- Emergency numbers133 police · 131 ambulance · 132 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany businesses close on 18–19 September; Sunday trading is limited in small towns.Chile-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportARI Arica International Airport (≈130 km (81 mi) east; bus or taxi to Putre.).ARI Arica International Airport (≈81 mi (130 km) east; bus or taxi to Putre.).
- Getting aroundBus from Arica (La Paloma) departs 06:50, returns 14:00; taxis cost ~70,000 CLP; local tours (Mr.Bus from Arica (La Paloma) departs 6:50 AM, returns 2:00 PM; taxis cost ~70,000 CLP; local tours (Mr.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedHotel double, a night, per roomCLP 37,000
- Mid-range bedHotel double, a night, per roomCLP 45,000
- High-end bedHotel double, a night, per roomCLP 60,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CLP 12,000 · Mid CLP 20,000 · High CLP 35,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ARI Arica International Airport (≈130 km (81 mi) east; bus or taxi to Putre.)ARI Arica International Airport (≈81 mi (130 km) east; bus or taxi to Putre.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Jul
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Aug
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Sep
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Dec–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)), coolest Jul (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Mar (14 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Putre: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
14 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Jun
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
5 rd
Jul
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
4 rd
Aug
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
5 rd
Sep
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting 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.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lauca National Park
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Local tour (Mr. Oriolf) or self‑drive; 30 min from Putre
Spend night in Putre to acclimatise; visit Cotacotani lagoons, Chungará Lake, and wildlife.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
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.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CLP 12,000–20,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- CLP 20,000–35,000 excl. bed
- High
- CLP 35,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostal room2 × 1 night × CLP 30,000 | CLP 60,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CLP 20,000 | CLP 40,000 |
| Bus Arica → Putre round‑trip2 × CLP 10,000 · check | CLP 20,000 |
| Lauca park tour2 × CLP 45,000 · check | CLP 90,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CLP 21,000 |
| Trip total≈ CLP 115,500 per person per day, bed included | CLP 231,000 |
2026 estimate in CLP; flights and long‑distance transport excluded.
Prices of common things
| 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 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 133
- Ambulance
- 131
- Fire
- 132
Pocket card
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PutrePutre
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police133
- Ambulance131
- Fire132
Embassy
US consulate in Santiago; nearest Chilean consular services in Arica.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- 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
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (ˈɡɾasjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (ˈkwanto ˈkwesta)
- Tengo mal de altura — I have altitude sickness (ˈteŋɡo ˈmal de alˈtuɾa)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Putre. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar (more rain, milder days) · avoid Jun–Aug (dry, colder nights) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Arica → Putre bus (La Paloma) schedule check
- Add a night in Putre for park acclimatisation
- Consider private car if road works likely
Sources
Ask about Putre
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