Pacific Coast Gardens

 In Coigüe we have designed a program based on two short walks that allows you to maximize the opportunities of enjoyment and contemplation in direct contact with the wild nature present on Chile Central Coast; full of biodiversity, endemism and amazing landscapes.

Come with your family and friends to live a unique experience with us, and let’s explore together the natural attributes present in the meeting of land and sea.

After a 2-hour drive north from Santiago (approximately 116mi), we will arrive in Puquén, Bioparque Los Molles, where we will embark on a leisurely 2-hour hike. This pristine protected area preserves the natural wonders of Chile’s central coast, offering a unique scenic beauty shaped by its geography and rich biodiversity. Visitors can admire a variety of species, including steppe shrubs and abundant flowers that paint the landscape with a vibrant palette of colors during the spring season.

This area is recognized as a Priority Site for Conservation, and it boasts multiple geological formations worth exploring. Among its main attractions is a blowhole known as Puquén. During high tide, water rushes landward through a vertical shaft, resulting in awe-inspiring blasts of water and wind that reach remarkable heights.

Nearby, you can also witness a ‘Lobera,’ an island hosting a large colony of South American sea lions. Here, you can observe their activities and listen to their calls. Peruvians boobies during their reproductive period (from November to February). We can also find a paleontological interest zone near the shore, where we will see a giant rock with fossil records of plants from the Triassic period.

In the afternoon, we’ll drive south for approximately 30 minutes, passing through the coastal towns of Papudo and Zapallar, until we reach Cachagua. At this final stop, a short 1.5-mile walk along a beautiful coastal trail is offered. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to encounter amazing wildlife, making it highly recommended for bird lovers. You’ll pass by the tranquil waters of Las Cujas beach before reaching Cachagua beach.

In a corner of this extensive sandy area, the group will have a chance to observe, from about 300 feet away, a refuge for incredible wildlife: the Natural Monument of Cachagua Island. This protected area is home to 14 species of coastal and oceanic birds, creating a fragile and unique ecosystem. Among these birds is the Humboldt Penguin, an endemic species of the Humboldt Current, which inhabits almost the entire Chilean coast and the south of Peru. Here, you can closely observe a population of these flightless birds, and if we’re lucky, we may even spot the Chungungo, the world’s smallest marine mammal