Putre: Discover Andean Culture and Nature

Putre combines a rich local heritage with nature experiences in the Andean region. In town, the Iglesia de Putre and historic O’Higgins Street reveal different sides of its history; the commune and surrounding area offer hiking trails, lagoons and opportunities for wildlife watching. You can plan your stay around whether you mainly want to discover Putre’s religious festivals and buildings or include destinations beyond the town.

Church, Street and History

The Iglesia de Putre, also known as the Church of San Ildefonso, is the centre of the Catholic ceremonial complex. It includes a freestanding bell tower, an atrium enclosed by a perimeter wall, a cemetery and an inn at the entrance to the town. The church’s original building is said to have been constructed in the mid-17th century. The complex provides a tangible setting for the town’s history, while the church and its associated features should not be confused with one another.

O’Higgins Street, one of Putre’s oldest streets, offers a different historical perspective. An irrigation canal runs down its centre; stone bridges and benches are part of the streetscape. The houses along this historic street retain stone portals and window surrounds dating from the 17th century. Those interested in architectural forms and details will find different points of interest here than in the church’s ceremonial complex.

Evidence of earlier history can also be found outside the town centre. Pucará de Copaquilla is an archaeological complex in the commune of Putre, built for defensive purposes in the 12th century and protected by a double wall. The Vilacaurani rock art is also nearby. It is more than 5,000 years old and was declared a Historic Monument in 1969. The Iglesia Santa Rosa de Lima de Caquena, in the area around Putre, was granted National Historic Monument status in 2015.

Religious Festivals and Local Traditions

Recurring events in town include the Fiesta Religiosa de San Juan on 24 June. It features a Mass, a procession through Putre and a community celebration afterwards in the square or community hall. On 15 August, the Fiesta Religiosa Virgen Asunta is celebrated in honour of Putre’s patron saint. It includes religious dances, a Eucharistic celebration and a procession through town. These festivals give the year a religious and communal dimension.

One example of cultural events at a specific point in time was Anata de los Pueblos 2025 in Putre: it lasted two days and featured dancing, singing and music played on Tarka flutes. It also included the Feria Jiwasan Markasa and a food courtyard serving typical regional dishes. If you’re especially interested in music, festival traditions and regional cuisine, this event offers a distinctive way to experience Putre’s culture; it is specifically an example from 2025.

Nature Destinations in the Commune and Surrounding Area

The Sendero Chungará is located in Lauca National Park, within the commune of Putre. This easy trail is 600 metres long and takes 30 minutes in total.

For nature watching, the Bofedal Parinacota in Lauca National Park offers a different perspective: it is 40 kilometres away and provides opportunities to observe giant coots, llamas and alpacas. Laguna Cotacotani is 44 kilometres away and offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. If you want to focus on physical activity, you can distinguish these pursuits from wildlife watching at the bofedal.

Further afield in the region is the Surire National Monument, 138 kilometres away at an altitude of 4,200 metres. There are opportunities for trekking and hiking, as well as for observing flora and fauna. In the Las Vicuñas National Reserve, you can observe vicuñas in family herds, groups of young animals or as solitary males. The nature destinations therefore differ both in the activities mentioned and in the animals or landscape features they highlight.

Other destinations in the surrounding area include the volcanic hot springs of Termas de Jurasi. They can be reached from Route 11-CH at the level of the Putre viewpoint. Route 11-CH connects Arica with Putre over a distance of about 145 kilometres; the drive takes approximately three hours. When choosing a holiday rental in Putre, you can therefore consider whether you want to focus your stay on the town itself, with its churches, streets and festivals, or on excursions to nature destinations.

For a broader travel overview: Parinacota Province.