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Historic square · Coyhaique, Aysén do General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo
Plaza de Armas de Coyhaique
Central plaza of Coyhaique, designed in the shape of a pentagon when the town was laid out. From it radiate the downtown streets, with shops, restaurants and the life of the capital of Aysén.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Plaza de Armas de Coyhaique
The Plaza de Armas is the zero point of Coyhaique and stands out immediately on the map: instead of the usual square common in Chilean towns, it has five sides. The layout was made by surveyor Héctor Monreal at the time of the town's founding, when the settlement was still called Baquedano. Five short streets circle the plaza and bear the names of the municipality's first councilors.
The plaza was built by a volunteer neighborhood committee and has undergone several renovations over the decades, always maintaining the pentagonal shape. The city's urban plan respected that design, which is why the center has streets that run diagonally—something that confuses first-time visitors looking for a regular block.
Around it are banks, the municipality, shops, cafés and the agencies that organize tours around the region. It's the place to get your bearings, buy anything you need before hitting the road and feel the rhythm of the town, which has about 58,000 inhabitants in the commune and is the largest in the entire Región de Aysén.
Coyhaique stands at about 310 meters of altitude, in the valley where the Río Coyhaique meets the Río Simpson. From the center you can see the surrounding hills, including the cliff of Cerro Mackay to the east, and on clear days the town seems surrounded by mountains in every direction.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half an hour to the square; two to three hours including a stroll through the downtown streets, a coffee and shopping for the trip.
Best time
During the day, when shops and agencies are open. In summer the late afternoon is long and bright, good for walking around the center. In winter the days are short and cold, so make the most of the early-afternoon light.
How to get there
It's located in downtown Coyhaique, a few blocks from the bus terminal. Those arriving from Aeródromo Balmaceda travel about 55 km on paved road to the city, by transfer or taxi.
Tip
Use the square as a reference point: with the streets laid out diagonally, it's easy to get lost on the first day. Fill up the car, withdraw cash and buy supplies in Coyhaique before heading onto the Carretera Austral, because the villages ahead have few services.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Plaza de Armas de Coyhaique
Why does the Plaza de Armas de Coyhaique have five sides?
The pentagon design comes from the layout drawn by surveyor Héctor Monreal when the city was founded. Some also associate the shape with a tribute to the Carabineros, Chile’s police, since a general from the force was among the founders. The shape has been preserved through all renovations of the square.
Is it worth visiting the plaza if I'm just passing through?
Yes, it’s quick to see and is on the way to nearly everything: shops, tour agencies and restaurants surround it. It’s also the place to sort out anything you need before continuing your trip.