In the municipality of San Juan de la Costa, you’ll find a variety of ways to shape your stay: coastal life and fishing in Bahía Mansa, cultural history around Puaucho, and nature and ecotourism in Maicolpué. Pucatrihue rounds out the picture with river boat trips and canopy tours.

Coast and fishing in Bahía Mansa

Bahía Mansa has a rounded shape with a narrow entrance that makes it suitable as a harbor. Boats from the artisanal fishing fleet arrive there daily, supplying the coastal area with seafood; activity and supply may vary. From the small beach, you can watch what is happening in the harbor. The Lafken Mapu Lahual Marine Protected Area safeguards a 30-kilometer stretch of coastline.

There are several ways to fish in Bahía Mansa: from the coastal shore, the pier or a boat. Sport fishing is also possible there. Local rules and conditions may apply to shore and pier fishing. Bahía Mansa is also a starting point for trips to Caleta Cóndor and the surrounding areas. Operators and safety requirements may change; check this information before arranging a specific trip.

Mapuche-Huilliche culture and history

The Ruta de los Lonkos y Miradores begins in Puaucho, the administrative capital of the municipality. It introduces the history and worldview of the Mapuche-Huilliche, who have inhabited this area for more than 500 years. Beside the municipality’s tourism information office stands an image of Toqui Ligkoy, a Huilliche military leader who opposed the Spanish during the general Mapuche uprising at the end of the 16th century.

Another landmark lies on Ruta U-400: 20 kilometers from Puaucho toward the sea, there is a sculpture of Lonko José del Tránsito Neipan Collipay. The cacique is known for his dialogue with the Chilean state. Both places offer concrete points of reference for the area’s cultural history without reducing it to a single monument or route.

Celebrations and local food culture

The Día de San Pedro celebration in Bahía Mansa has featured various programs in past years. In 2022, these included a procession to the pier, floral offerings and a public culinary presentation featuring seafood. The celebration in June 2025 included a mass and a boat procession through Bahía Mansa Bay, attended by Bishop Carlos Godoy and César Torres, parish priest of Bahía Mansa. These examples describe individual celebrations, not a set schedule for future dates.

In 2025, Pucatrihue also held a mass, a procession and traditional activities for Día de San Pedro. Participants included fishers, residents, tourists, unions and local authorities. If you’re planning a trip around a celebration, check the dates and program in advance. In Bahía Mansa, the 2022 celebration included a public culinary presentation featuring seafood.

Nature and activities in different places

Parque Pichimallay is located in Maicolpué. It is part of the Parques Mapu Lahual network and is protected as a nature reserve. You can hike there and enjoy other ecotourism activities. This offers a nature-focused experience that differs clearly from Bahía Mansa’s harbor and fishing themes.

In Pucatrihue, activities include river boat trips and canopy tours. These offerings complement the municipality’s cultural and coastal attractions with more ways to spend time outdoors. The information refers to different places and activities, so choose according to which ones matter to your trip.

Choose accommodation based on your travel interests

When looking for a hotel in San Juan de la Costa, the specific place where you’ll stay can be a useful starting point for comparison. Check which location is listed for the accommodation and compare it with your planned activities: Bahía Mansa is known for its harbor, fishing and angling; Puaucho for the Ruta de los Lonkos y Miradores; Maicolpué for Parque Pichimallay; and Pucatrihue for river boat trips and canopy tours.

For the broader travel overview: Los Lagos Region.