The Iglesia de Putre is the center of a Catholic ceremonial complex. It includes a freestanding bell tower, an atrium enclosed by a perimeter wall, a cemetery and a posada at the entrance to the town. You can find further historical details along O’Higgins Street. Destinations in the surrounding area and in the municipality of Putre complement the townscape; when planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between these different geographical contexts.
Church, streetscape and archaeological traces
The Iglesia de Putre is also known as the Church of San Ildefonso. Its original building is said to have been constructed in the mid-17th century. An irrigation channel runs down the center of O’Higgins Street, one of the town’s oldest streets, with stone bridges and benches along it. The houses along this historic street retain stone doorways and window frames dating from the 17th century. The church complex and the streetscape thus represent different facets of historic Putre.
The Pucará de Copaquilla is also located in the municipality of Putre. The archaeological complex was built for defensive purposes in the 12th century and protected by a double wall. Closer to Putre, the rock art of Vilacaurani offers an even older link to the past: it is more than 5,000 years old and was declared a Historic Monument in 1969. Also in the surrounding area is the Iglesia Santa Rosa de Lima de Caquena, which was declared a National Historic Monument in 2015.
Festivals with different focuses
Anata de los Pueblos 2025 lasted two days and featured dances, singing and music played on Tarka flutes. That year’s edition also included the Feria Jiwasan Markasa and a food court serving typical regional dishes. This information refers to the 2025 edition. For a different time of year, the Fiesta Religiosa de San Juan offers a set traditional date: it is celebrated every year on June 24 with a mass, a procession through the town and a community celebration afterward. The festival takes place in the square or in the community hall.
On August 15, the Fiesta Religiosa Virgen Asunta, associated with Putre’s patron saint, is celebrated with religious dances, a Eucharistic celebration and a procession through the town. The festivals therefore differ both in their timing and in their programs: in 2025, Anata centered on music, dance and regional food, while the two religious celebrations include processions and church services.
Natural destinations in the surrounding area
Bofedal Parinacota is located 40 kilometers from Putre in Parque Nacional Lauca. It offers opportunities to observe giant coots, llamas and alpacas. Laguna Cotacotani is 44 kilometers away and offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. So, despite the similar distances, the destinations offer different focuses: wildlife observation at the wetland or a range of activities around the lagoon.
The Termas de Jurasi are volcanic hot springs. Access is via Ruta 11-CH, at the level of the Putre viewpoint. Further away is the Monumento Nacional Surire: 138 kilometers from Putre and at an altitude of 4,200 meters. It offers opportunities for trekking, hiking and observing flora and fauna. The distances given help distinguish the locations of the destinations; on their own, they do not indicate how long a drive will take.
Routes, getting there and altitude planning
The easy Sendero Chungará is located in Parque Nacional Lauca, in the municipality of Putre. It is 600 meters long, and 30 minutes is the stated time for the full route. Park conditions and possible closures may change, so check the latest information before visiting. The trail offers a short hiking option with a clearly stated distance, while Surire is associated with additional activities and a significantly higher altitude.
Ruta 11-CH connects Arica and Putre over a distance of approximately 145 kilometers; the drive takes around three hours. Actual travel time depends on road and weather conditions. For further altitude planning, Chile Travel recommends spending the first night in Putre to acclimatize before ascending to Lago Chungará, at an altitude of 4,500 meters, as altitude sickness poses a serious risk. Take your individual health situation into account.
For the broader travel overview: Provincia Parinacota.
