The Marble Caves of Chile are a destination I have visited many times. It’s a captivating place both due to the cave formations and the color of Lake General Carrera. If you are heading down the famous Carretera Austral route of Patagonia then these caves are an absolute must-visit!
The colorful Marble Caves transport you to another level of contemplation, especially when you ponder the fact that the rocks were polished over thousands of years of geological time. If you stay present, and think about this fact, it leaves you speechless. Along with Torres del Paine, the Marble Caves are one of those places you have to see when traveling through Chile.
Third Time Lucky at the Marble Caves
On my most recent trip to the caves, I stayed there for one day. Our goal was to reach Puerto Guadal. Together with my partner we decided to visit this place along with the Marble Caves. It was an amazing adventure!
In a place called Puerto Tranquilo there are many boats that offer excursions to the Marble Caves and we booked the most convenient one. For my next trip I would like to visit the caves by kayak. I think this way you would get a better connection with nature and have more intimacy between yourself, the lake, the marble caves and the beautiful landscapes.
I have tried to visit the caves a few times and to be honest I didn’t have much luck on my first visits. The first trip I took was at the start of fall. It rained so heavily on the way to Puerto Tranquilo that the rivers began to overflow and we couldn’t advance any further to arrive at the Marble Caves.
On my second trip to the Marble Caves we traveled in spring. However, this time we got informed that the port would be closed due to lots of waves on the lake. It took me until recently, on my third attempt, to have a successful experience at the caves! I wasn’t going to give up after two failed attempts and I’m so glad I didn’t because the caves were just spectacular!
Need to Know Before you Go
I recommend traveling to Puerto Tranquilo if you want to visit the Marble Caves. From here you can explore the town and visit other cool places in the area such as Exploradores Glacier and Nutria Waterfall. If you have less time you can always take a day trip from the city of Coyhaique.
It’s a long day trip but the journey is worth it if you don’t want to stay for a couple of nights at Puerto Tranquilo. There are some fantastic places to stay in Puerto Tranquilo such as hotels, cabins, hostels and guest houses.
The only other piece of advice I can give is to try to enjoy the entire route. Travel down the Carretera Austral and experience not only the Marble Caves but many other beautiful destinations. Also, when you visit the caves, don’t just go to take photos and say you have visited on social media. Try to really connect with this place and contemplate its unique natural formations.
Just one last tip: bring the right clothing and equipment, especially warm clothes regardless of the season because the weather in Patagonia changes without warning. That is what gives this place its unique charm!
