FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where is Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa located?

A special attraction of Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa is its exclusive location, in Chilean Patagonia, in front of Queulat National Park in the Aysén region. Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa emerges at the edge of an idyllic southern fjord. It is situated 215km to the north of Coyhaique, 209km to the south of Chaitén, and is surrounded by exuberant vegetation, crossing the Puyuhuapi Channel from the Carretera Austral (Southern Highway) in approximately 10 minutes in a motorboat.

The nearest town, Puerto Puyuhuapi, with little more than 500 inhabitants, is approximately 30 minutes in boat, or 20 minutes by road, from the Lodge’s jetty, on the Carretera Austral. The nearest city where you will find all services is Coyhaique, the capital of the region, with approximately 45,000 inhabitants, and is found less than 4 hours away along the Carretera Austral.

Balmaceda Airport is located at a 50 minute journey from Coyhaique and has daily flights to and from Santiago (3 hours) and Puerto Montt (1 hour), and some weekdays there is a service to and from Punta Arenas.

The distance to the city of Santiago is 1,649km.

How do I reach Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa?

All of the programs offered by Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa begin at Balmaceda Airport. There are daily flights to and from Santiago and Puerto Montt and some weekdays there are connections to Punta Arenas. It is important to request airport transfers before booking your air travel as only certain flights fit in with the programs. From Balmaceda Airport, depending on your choice of program, it will be necessary to travel the Carretera Austral  to Puerto Chacabuco (1.5 hours) and then board the catamaran Patagonia Express to sail 5 hours through southern fjords, or travel the Carretera Austral to the Lodge’s jetty 15km to the south of Pueblo Puyuhuapi (approximately 6 hours, including stops and lunch).

What are the journeys like?

Distances in the Aysén region are considerable and travel times are not proportional. The majority of roads are paved but there remain considerable stretches of gravel, though in a good state. The arrival day is part of the experience; the journeys are scenic, and the landscapes are as spectacular as they are diverse, from the Patagonian pampa to the impenetrable native woodland and solitary southern fjords and channels.

What is the weather like in Puyuhuapi?

In the area of Puyuhuapi, between October and March, the maximum average temperature is between 14°C and 21°C and the minimum average temperature is between 4°C and 9°C. Between April and September, maximum average temperature is between 5°C and 14°C and minimum average temperature is between 0°C and 5°C. However, during the summer it is possible to experience spectacular sunny days with temperatures exceeding 27°C. Rain is present all year round and it is not rare to experience the four seasons of the year in just one day.

What clothing should I bring?

We suggest that you bring sports clothes for your stay in Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa and on board the catamaran Patagonia Express. For excursions, you will need to bring a waterproof (not very thick) jacket, a sweater or fleece, a hat, waterproof trousers, and trekking shoes. Do not forget sun block, sunglasses, and a swimsuit in order to enjoy the thermal baths. For those who visit the Laguna San Rafael, a hat, gloves, and scarf are recommended.

What is included in the price of the programs?

• Land transfers to and from Balmaceda Airport
• Sailing in the catamaran Patagonia Express according to the program and season
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (with soft drinks and house wine)
• Open bar during sailing trips aboard the Patagonia Express
• Daily trips according to our program provided by our team of guides
• Use of the thermal outdoor pools, spa pools, and gym in Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa
• One night’s accommodation with breakfast in Chacabuco or Coyhaique after the trip to the Laguna San Rafael

What is not included in the price?

Massages and therapies (except in the PC-Spa, Body and Soul which have treatments included), phone calls, laundry, souvenirs, bar consumption, drinks other than with meals at the Lodge, drinks in other hotels, motorboat hire, fishing, internet, and tips.

What voltage serves the Lodge and on board the catamaran?

The voltage is 220V.

Is there internet in Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa?

The philosophy here at Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa is to achieve disconnection from city life. We want you to reconnect with yourself and with nature. Due to the fact there are people who do not manage to disconnect totally, we have installed an internet point for guests in the lobby of the Lodge. However, due to our isolated location between the summits, the internet connection is of a very low speed. You will need to have patience and above all we hope you will not need to connect.

Is there cell phone coverage in Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa?

In Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa, and in most of the Aysén region, there is no cell phone coverage. In the Lodge we have a fixed line service for national and international calls.

What languages do staff members at Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa speak?

The official language in Chile is Spanish. We have bilingual Spanish/English staff members and some who also speak French, German, or Portuguese.

Is there a doctor in Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa?

No. We have staff trained in first aid at the Lodge and on board the catamaran Patagonia Express. There is a hospital service en Puerto Cisnes, which can be reached in approximately 1 hour if sailing or 1.5 hours by road.

Can I get medicines at Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa?

You must bring any regular consumption medicines with you. In the Lodge, we only have a limited stock of basic medicines that do not require medical prescription, which can be bought in the souvenir shop.

 

 

Can I smoke in Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa?

Smoking is not allowed inside Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa, but is permitted on the terraces and balconies. On board the catamaran Patagonia Express, in accordance with law D.L. 20.105, smoking is only allowed in the outside shelters.

Can I bring pets?

Unfortunately we do not accept pets on board nor in the Lodge.

Is Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa advisable for family groups?

The programs in Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa offer a fantastic experience for your family. It is possible to add an extra bed per room, in double and triple rooms, and we also have reduced rates (50%) for children between 4 and 14 years old. You can interconnect two rooms in order to create an apartment for a family group (up to 6 people). We can facilitate up to two interconnected apartments. Other family members can be catered for in adjacent rooms. Children of 3 years and below travel free if sharing a bed with parents.

What equipment do the rooms at Puyuhuapi Lodge and Spa have?

All rooms (for programs) have king-size beds or two single-and-a-half beds. They have a private bathroom with a bathtub/shower, hairdryer, safe, balcony, and a small living space. They are not fitting with television or music.

Is there any travel insurance at Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa?

The catamaran Patagonia Express has civil responsibility insurance that covers damage to passengers and their luggage in case of an accident when on board. This insurance is governed by the conditions of contract of the trip and by the rules of the Código de Comercio Chileno (Chilean Code of Commerce). We suggest that you take out your own travel insurance with the company of your choice, in order to provide additional cover in terms of health risks, disease, and assistance in the circumstances of any other event that you or your luggage could suffer during the trip.

Is Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa open all year round?

The catamaran and the programs that include the Laguna San Rafael operate from October to April. The Lodge is open all year round, with reduced staff during the winter season (May to September)

.