Putre

Putre is a city located at 3500 meters above sea level in northern Chile, with whitewashed buildings arranged around a central plaza. The structures follow a simple layout, and the town sits in a rugged mountain landscape close to desert regions of the Altiplano.

The settlement emerged as a vital trading hub connecting indigenous communities with Spanish colonizers, linking the Pacific coast to the Andean highlands. This strategic position shaped the town's development over centuries.

The town takes its name from an ancient Quechua settlement and maintains this connection through its whitewashed buildings and central plaza layout. You can observe traditional Andean ways of life in daily activities and crafts practiced by locals around the market areas.

Visitors reach the town via regular bus connections from Arica and should allow time to acclimate to the high elevation. It is best to spend several days there before venturing into the surrounding mountains to avoid altitude-related discomfort.

From here, visitors can access five major volcanoes including Guallatiri, whose summit rises 6070 meters above sea level. The surrounding valleys are also known for several natural thermal springs that emerge throughout the area.