At Mirador Laguna Verde, you can observe wetlands and forest. Nature watching in the surrounding area, as well as coastal and cultural sites in the Comuna Hualpén, offer different ways to shape a trip. If you are looking for accommodation in Hualpén, you can first decide whether you are especially interested in landscapes, trails or cultural history.
Wetlands, Forest and Birdwatching
In the vicinity of Hualpén, Laguna Verde is a freshwater body of water about 290 metres long and 85 metres wide. These measurements may vary depending on water levels and rainfall. Native trees such as boldo, litre, huillipatagua, arrayán, avellano, peumo, piñol, maqui and huayo grow along the shore. The lagoon therefore offers views of both the water and the typical vegetation.
In the Comuna Hualpén, the Ruta Laguna Verde, entre miradores trail runs through the wetland. From several viewpoints, you can observe the lagoon, typical forest vegetation, birds that live there and nesting sites of the Garza Cuca (Ardea cocoi). For Humedal Piedra del Agua, a statement by the park operator from 2025 describes a biological corridor with hydrophilic vegetation; more than 50 bird species have been observed there.
The Santuario de la Naturaleza de la Península de Hualpén covers 2,662 hectares and extends across the entire peninsula. If you would like to see different types of landscapes rather than just one observation point, nearby Cerro Pompón in Parque Pedro del Río Zañartu is another option. From there, you can take in views of continental waters meeting the sea, as well as cliffs, beaches, caletas, tombolos, marshlands and spits.
Trails and the Pacific Coast
In the Comuna Hualpén, the Hiking por el Bosque Nativo Centenario tour passes through coastal sclerophyll forest. The operator lists it as a tourist experience and describes it as a low-intensity tour. At various stops, visitors learn about the flora and fauna typical of the Península de Hualpén; along the way, they can observe different species and ecosystems. Another guided route passes through native forest and the meadows of Parque Pedro del Río Zañartu before descending to Playa Rocoto.
For the coast of the Península de Hualpén, the municipal cultural plan mentions outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling and kayaking. A hiking trail to Playa Ramuntcho passes through the forest, offers open views of the Pacific and then descends to the beach. The beach’s calm waters are suitable for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking; small coastal caves lie along the shore. The beaches along the peninsula are surrounded by endemic flora and fauna.
Playa desembocadura del río Bío Bío in the surrounding area offers a different kind of beach landscape: the black-sand beach is about 750 metres long and opens onto views of the Pacific Ocean. It is not suitable for swimming and is used for enjoying nature, fishing, photography and picnics. The difference from Playa Ramuntcho is useful when planning: the activities mentioned here do not include swimming, while swimming, snorkelling and kayaking are among the options described at Playa Ramuntcho.
Cultural History in the Comuna Hualpén
Nearby, the Casona was built in the 1870s and used as a residence until 1934, for more than 50 years; it then became a museum. The Casona Museo preserves objects that Pedro del Río Zañartu brought to Chile after his travels across various continents, including collections from the ancient world and objects of Asian culture.
Parque Museo Pedro del Río Zañartu in the Comuna Hualpén was declared a Santuario de la Naturaleza and a Monumento Nacional in 1976. The museum also preserves collections of objects from the ancient world and objects of Asian culture, as well as a collection donated by Violeta Parra in the 20th century. In Chome, the remains of the former Ballenera Trinidad recall the town’s industrial past. People hike in the surrounding hills to enjoy panoramic views of the ocean.
Caletas, Food and Festivals
Caleta Lenga is considered a typical, tourist-friendly neighbourhood and an area of artisanal fishing. The 2022–2026 municipal cultural plan also describes it as an active gastronomic and tourist hub in the Región del Biobío and notes that it has more than twenty restaurants specialising in seafood.
The 2022–2026 cultural plan lists the Fiesta de San Pedro on 29 June in the Caletas Lenga, Chome and Peroné. The described elements include festooned boats and a tribute to San Pedro, the patron saint of fishermen. For the Fiesta del Changai in Caleta Chome, the plan mentions a January edition with about 25 stalls, free seafood tastings and artistic and musical events. Before your trip, check whether a current edition of either festival has been announced.
Discover more destinations: San Pedro De La Paz, Tomé, Coronel, Talcahuano, Concepción.
Return to the main travel overview: Provincia Concepción.
