Humedal de Mantagua, Coastal wetland in the Valparaíso Region, Chile

Humedal de Mantagua lies in Ritoque, in the Quintero commune of the Valparaíso Region, where the Quintero estuary and the Mantagua lagoon meet the Pacific. The estuary forms a meander near the sea and a bar-built estuary at its mouth, creating a coastal lagoon beside the Ritoque dunes. In winter the lagoon sometimes connects with the sea.

In 2005, the wetland was officially recognized as a Priority Site for Biodiversity Conservation in the Valparaíso Region. That recognition marked the beginning of more structured local efforts to manage and protect the area.

The wetland is known among birdwatchers who gather around the lagoon to spot flamingos and wading birds. Local schools and community groups use the area for outdoor nature education.

Sturdy, waterproof footwear is recommended, as trails pass through wet and muddy ground. Early morning is generally the best time to visit, when birds are more active and temperatures are cooler.

The wetland sits along a major migration corridor for birds traveling from the Northern Hemisphere, making it possible to spot hundreds of passing species during certain seasons. What surprises many visitors is how close the lagoon sits to the open sea, separated only by a narrow strip of dunes.