The natural characteristics of the region of los Rios are combined with the charm of its cities, where the architecture used in many constructions indicates the presence of European settlers in the past. Foreign influence is also seen in some gastronomical services, mixing and granting a significant space for local traditions.
Province of Valdivia
– Valdivia: it was founded by Pedro de Valdivia in February of 1552, on a spot that was home to a group of native inhabitants called Ainilebo. Its current location is at the confluence of the Calle Calle, Valdivia Cau Cau and Cruces rivers, around 15 kilometers from Corral bay.
The Valdivia river passes alongside the city, and one may enjoy a stroll down Costanera avenue, visiting the Fluvial Fair of the handicrafts stands located in the Municipal Market.
Boats set sail from Schuster pier that follow the course of the river on fluvial excursions that lead to the Spanish forts on Mancera island and Corral bay.
From Valdivia one may also visit Oncol Park, travelling around 29 kilometers on the road to Niebla, through the valdiviana jungle. At this spot, there are panoramic lookot points, trails and barbecue pits.
– Mancera Island: the aboriginal people of this area called it Guiguacabin, and then, around 1645, it was known as Mancera island, in honor of the viceroy of Peru, Pedro de Toledo y Leiva, who also had the title of marquis of Mancera. It is located in Corral bay, in the area where the Valdivia river flows into the ocean. Its surface is a little over 48 hectares and it has five beaches, a natural terrace where homes are built, and a higher altitude zone where exotic native vegetation grows.
-Corral: its port has had great strategic importance for centuries. It suffered the consequences of the 1960 sea quake, but still preserves places of interest, like Fort Corral, built in 1645. It is found south of the mouth of the Valdivia river and is an extensive group of artillery that is pointing towards the ocean from atop a solid stone wall.
– Botanical Garden: it is found on Teja island, along the banks of the Cau Cau river, inside the Universidad Austral campus. It is 10 hectares large, which house around 950 species of flora, including mosses, ferns and plants with seeds. It is organized by sections: for example, valdiviano forest and Mediterranean zone.
– Saval Park: it has autochthonous vegetation and a lagoon with lotus flowers. It was created by the Sociedad Agricola y Ganadera (Agrarian and Cattle Society), an organization that creates a place for exhibitions and shows of agriculture and livestock. This park also hosts the municipal event center, a medialuna (half-moon), a children’s playground and picnic areas.
– San Pedro and Calle Calle Rivers: The former is formed by the waters of Riñihue lake, the drainage of which is a fascinating spot for sports fishing and rafting lovers. The waters of the San Pedro and Chinchilca rivers (in the town of Los Lagos), originate the Calle Calle, which is the landmark water course in the zone of Valdivia. It has a stable water level and on its journey towards the west, it passes through Valdivia, becoming a river ride that allows visitors to enjoy the natural and urban surroundings.
– Panguipulli: this comuna (county) is located in the inland potion of the region, approximately 114 km northeast from Valdivia. Panguipulli has all the charm inherent to being set along the banks of the lake that bears the same name. The same as Puerto Varas, it is known as the “city of roses”, and is identified as a starting point of the road towards the Argentinean city of San Martin de los Andes. On this route, the journey also enables one to enjoy lake Pirihueico, one of the Cordilleran bathing areas of the region. Coñaripe, lake Pullinque and its assortment of islets are located in the area around Panguipulli. We also have Neltume, a town from where one may visit the Fuy river, Choshuenco volcano and Huirlo-Huirlo falls.
– Puerto Fuy and Choshuenco: on the banks of lake Pirihueico, some 65 km from Panguipulli, lies Puerto Fuy, a place with a beach and where it is possible to began a sailing journey along the lake all the ay to Puerto Pirihueico. Choshuenco is approximately 20 km away from this location. It is a small town dedicated to foresting chores that has a beautiful bathing zone. However, one of the greatest attractions found in this area for trekkers and skiers is the volcano that bears the same name as the town.
Province of Ranco
– La Union: located 88 km from Valdivia, next to the placid Llonllelhue river (an effluent of the Bueno river), the capital city of the province of Ranco has been around for over one and a half centuries; it was founded during the first years of the Republic as a agricultural services center. Nowadays, it stands out as the second most important city of the region of los Rios when it comes to commercial and industrial activity. The origin of the boom of its economy lies in the work or German immigrants during the XX century. Nowadays, its economy stands out for its dairy plants and the work done in thread, as well as processing native wood.
The architecture of some of the constructions in La Union is one of the local attractions. A few examples are its old church, which was built out of native wood in 1904, and the fabulous residences that belonged to the area’s industrial tycoons.
– Rio Bueno: it is located very close to La Union, some 80 kilometers southeast from Valdivia, next to a cliff that overlooks Bueno river. One of this place’s greatest attractions (a place devoted to silvo-agro-pecuary chores) is the San Jose de Alcudia Castle, erected by Spanish settlers in 1777. From this building, there’s a privileged view of the valley and the river.
One can navigate the Bueno river along the stretch that goes from Trumao to La Barra, and it is open for swimmers only in the city of Rio Bueno.