San Juan de la Costa

Day Trips

You begin your journey by arriving at San Juan de la Costa and settling into a rustic beachfront lodge overlooking the Pacific. You stroll along the black sand shore, collecting seashells and feeling the cool ocean breeze on your face. You meet your guide and learn about the region’s history and the Mapuche heritage that shapes the local culture.

After lunch of freshly caught seafood, you visit a nearby coastal viewpoint to admire the dramatic cliffs and migrating seabirds. You explore tide pools teeming with starfish and sea anemones while your guide explains the marine ecosystem. You pause for a moment of reflection as the sun casts golden hues across the water.

You return to the lodge for a communal dinner featuring traditional Mapuche stews and freshly baked bread. You gather around a bonfire on the beach, tasting local chicha and listening to ancestral stories. You end the night star gazing, spotting constellations unhindered by city lights.

You join a Mapuche elder at a community center to learn about ancestral weaving techniques and the significance of each pattern. You try your hand at creating a small loom tapestry under patient instruction. You sip herbal tea made from native plants as you listen to stories about the Weichafe (warrior) tradition.

You enjoy a hearty lunch prepared by local families, featuring merken-spiced lamb and quinoa salad. You participate in a traditional palín (stick-and-ball game) that teaches teamwork and respect for the land. You then watch a ceremony blending music, dance, and song that honors the spirits of the forest.

You dine on a specially prepared curanto—a communal feast cooked in an earth oven with shellfish, meats, and potatoes. You join in singing ancestral Mapuche chants around a circle of flickering candles. You drift to sleep in a bébed (traditional hut), lulled by the whisper of wind through ancient trees.

You set out at dawn for a guided trek through the region’s freshwater wetlands, binoculars in hand. You spot roseate spoonbills, grey herons, and the rare Chiloe wigeon as your guide explains each species’ habitat. You pause at a quiet lagoon to photograph a family of coots paddling among reeds.

You picnic beside a marshy embankment, sampling homemade empanadas and local cheeses. You continue along wooden boardwalks winding through cattails, encountering terns and oystercatchers diving for fish. You visit a small bird observatory and learn about efforts to protect migratory corridors.

You return to your eco-lodge for a light dinner of fresh salad and grilled trout. You attend an illustrated talk on wetland conservation led by a visiting biologist. You gaze out over the marsh under a moonlit sky, serenaded by the calls of night herons.

You depart early to tackle a scenic waterfall trail that winds through ancient alerce forests. You cross wooden footbridges spanning crystal-clear streams and pause to admire ferns carpeting the forest floor. You reach a cascading waterfall and refresh yourself with misty spray.

You enjoy a packed lunch overlooking a hidden cove where seals lounge on rocky outcrops. You continue hiking along sea cliffs, spotting surfers riding gentle waves below. You learn about local conservation efforts to preserve marine and forest ecosystems.

You return to your cabin to rest aching limbs and sip hot herbal infusion. You gather around a communal fire pit for a barbecue featuring local sausages and seasonal vegetables. You swap stories with fellow travelers and fall asleep to the sound of ocean waves.

You board a small boat for a half-day marine excursion along the rugged coastline. You scan the horizon for dolphins, sea lions, and the occasional humpback whale breaching offshore. You learn about kelp forests and the diverse marine life they support.

You land on a secluded beach for a picnic of smoked salmon sandwiches and fresh fruit. You snorkel in shallow coves, discovering starfish, abalone, and schools of colorful fish beneath the waves. You return to shore to dry off and enjoy afternoon tea with coastal views.

You dine at a family-run seafood restaurant specializing in shellfish rice. You toast to the day’s sightings with a crisp local craft beer. You stroll the shoreline under a starlit sky, listening to the gentle lapping of waves.

You attend a half-day workshop with Mapuche artisans to learn wood carving and silver jewelry making. You select native lenga wood and soften it with traditional oils before crafting your own souvenir. You watch a silversmith forge intricate designs symbolizing the sun and moon.

You enjoy a communal lunch in a handcrafted palafito (stilt house) overlooking a tranquil estuary. You continue your workshop by weaving a small basket from coir and natural dyes. You exchange stories about the spiritual meanings of each craft technique.

You return to the lodge for dinner prepared with locally foraged mushrooms and wild berries. You join a late-night storytelling circle where elders share legends under a vaulted sky. You marvel at the Milky Way stretching across the southern horizon.

You head to a well-known surf break and take a lesson from a certified instructor. You practice popping up on your board and riding gentle waves toward the shore. You celebrate your first successful ride with high fives on the beach.

You relax on the sand with a picnic of ceviche and tropical fruit smoothies. You watch experienced surfers carve through swells as the sun climbs higher. You collect sea glass and driftwood while strolling the coastline.

You return to your surf lodge for a beachside grill featuring fresh octopus and charred vegetables. You share laughs around a roaring fire pit and enjoy live acoustic music. You drift off to sleep to the distant roar of the Pacific.

You embark on a guided trek to hidden hot springs nestled in an old-growth forest. You soak in mineral-rich pools and feel tension melt away under towering coihue trees. You breathe deeply, absorbing the meditative sounds of rushing water and birdsong.

You enjoy a forest picnic of herbal infusions, cheese, and seasonal fruit atop moss-covered stones. You participate in a guided ‘forest bathing’ exercise, mindful of each scent and sound around you. You stroll along fern-lined paths, discovering tiny orchids and wild mushrooms.

You return to your accommodation for a candlelit dinner featuring roasted vegetables and spelt bread. You relax with a gentle massage using local essential oils. You fall asleep peacefully to the scent of pine drifting through open windows.

You visit a nearby artisanal fishing village and watch fishermen mend nets on the dock at sunrise. You learn traditional fish smoking techniques and help prepare fresh salmon for drying. You stroll through colorful wooden houses perched on stilts above the water.

You dine in a family home on seafood soup made with freshly caught mussels and clams. You take a small boat ride through mangrove channels, spotting herons and kingfishers. You visit a local market to browse handcrafted trinkets and woven textiles.

You return to the lodge for a simple dinner of vegetable stew and homemade bread. You gather for a community dance with live drumming and flute music. You end the night by the sea, watching phosphorescent waves shimmer under the moonlight.

You spend your final morning at leisure, exploring nearby beaches or indulging in a last spa treatment. You browse local shops for souvenirs like handwoven textiles and Mapuche silver jewelry. You reflect on your immersive experiences over a cup of native herb tea.

You enjoy a farewell lunch at a cliffside restaurant, savoring grilled fish with lemon grass and quinoa pilaf. You watch as pelicans dive for fish offshore and feel a gentle ocean breeze. You capture final photos of the dramatic landscape you’ve grown to love.

You gather with guides, hosts, and fellow travelers for a sunset ceremony on the beach. You share memories, exchange contact information, and give thanks with a traditional Mapuche blessing. You toast with sparkling chicha as the sun sinks below the Pacific horizon.