The Marble Caves Chile: An Essential Guide to Visiting in 2023
Discover the Marble Caves Chile, Patagonia’s beautiful wonder. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about visiting the marble caves in Chile.
Not many places on earth quite live up to the marvel that is the Marble Caves in Patagonia, Chile.
Located in Chilean Patagonia, this off-the-beaten-track destination is a firm favourite along the iconic Austral Highway road trip. Thanks to thousands of years of glacial meltwater erosion we are now able to admire the beautiful striations and patterns on this marble in one of the purest glacial lakes in the world.
In this short guide find out everything you need to know about visiting the Marble Caves Patagonia Chile and prepare for an experience of a lifetime.
*This ‘chile marbles caves’ post contains affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you.
What are the Marble Caves of Patagonia
The Marble Caves in Patagonia or Capillas de Marmol have been formed over more than 6000 years and are the result of erosion from waves generated by strong winds on General Carrera Lake.
Meltwater from nearby glaciers fills up the lake and over time this water carved out caves, caverns and tunnel systems in the rock on the lake.
Over the years the marble on the sides of these islets has been smoothed down by the mineral-rich water exposing unique patterns of yellow, brown, grey and green striations.
The marble caves at General Carrera Lake are split up into three features:
- Cuevas de Marmol ( Marble Caves)
- La Capilla de Marmol ( The Marble Chapel)
- La Catedral de Marmol ( The Marble Cathedral)
There’s also the tunnel which you can kayak through if you decide to do the kayaking tour. Unfortunately, it’s a little too small for boats to pass.
Where are the Marble Caves Located?
The marble caves are located in Chilean Patagonia. Specifically, they are on General Carrera Lake, just outside the Chilean town of Puerto Rio Tranquilo. It’s located in the Aysen region of Chile
If you’re road tripping the Carretera Austral or the famous Ruta 7, then you’ll pass through Puerto Rio Tranquilo otherwise it’s a 5 hours drive south of Coyhaique.
While General Carrera Lake is a large lake spanning both Chile and Argentina, you can’t access the marble caves from Argentina. You’ll have to cross the border at Chile Chico and drive to Puerto Rio Tranquilo to access the marble caves.
The Best Time to Visit the Marble Caves Chile
The Aysen Region of Northern Patagonia has a harsh, cold climate. Winters are snowy and frigid and summers are cool.
The area also receives a lot of rainfall all year round so make sure to come prepared with warm clothes and waterproofs.
Chilean summer (December- February) is the best time to visit but it’s also the most crowded, especially February. November and March are also great months to visit with fewer crowds but cooler weather.
Winters are brutal and even though the area around General Carrera lake sees little snow, tours to the marble caves no longer operate.
In my opinion, the best time to go is December or March when the crowds have dispersed yet the weather is still good.
How to Get to the Marble Caves of Chile
The Marble Caves in Chile are located about 5 km south of the village of Puerto Rio Tranquillo along the Austral Highway in Chile’s Aysen Region.
They are located 217km south of Coyhaique and the trip takes about 5 hours. The sealed road stops a little past Villa Cerro Castillo and turns into a gravel road that takes you all the way to Puerto Rio Tranquillo. If you’re coming from the south it’s also about a 5 hour trip from Cochrane.
The Patagonia Caves themselves are located on the General Carrera Lake, Chile’s largest lake which it shares with Argentina.
By Car
The best way to get to Puerto Rio Tranquillo and the Chile Chico Marble Caves is by car. You can rent a car at Balmaceda airport or in Coyhaique at the start of your trip or even in Puerto Montt if you’re doing the whole Austral Highway road trip.
Rental is easy just make sure to book in advance as cars in this area sell out quickly.
Use the form below to find the best car rental rates in Chile
By Bus
Daily buses leave Coyhaique and Cochrane and travel south and north along the Carretera Austral stopping in Puerto Rio Tranquillo.
Services are limited so try to buy your ticket at least the day before, especially when travelling during the high season.
Hitchhiking is also possible along the Carretera Austral in Chile, however, rides are few and far between outside of the summer months. Always make sure to have plenty of food with you and ideally a tent when hitchhiking.
How to See the Marble Caves, Patagonia
The only way to see the Marble Caves is on a tour as you’ll have to get out onto General Carrera lake to see them properly.
There are two main tour options; boat and kayak and all tours can be booked on arrival. You’ll find all the tour agencies on the main road by the lake and you can enquire directly with them about tours and costs.
We did a kayaking tour with Tribu Patagonia and we loved it. I’d highly recommend them so be sure to check them out here if you’re travelling in high season and prefer to book your trip in advance.
Boat tour
The are two different boat tours to choose from, the simple 1.5-hour tour which takes you to the main caves or the more comprehensive 3-hour tour which also includes going across the lake to Puerto Sanchez. Boats depart from Puerto Rio Tranquillo and tours can go up to three times a day depending on demand.
We were told that it’s better to do a tour in the morning as mornings tend to be calmer with less wind which can make conditions choppier and colder on the water. The standard boat tour costs $10,000 CLP ($13) per person.
Kayak
If you’re feeling up for a bit of adventure all while seeing the Marble Caves, Chile I’d highly recommend going for the kayak option.
The kayak tour starts with a transfer (included) 5km south to Bahia Mansa.
Here you’ll get set up and briefed by your guide and you’ll set off together towards the caves. It’s a bit of a paddle but totally worth it as you can get much closer to the caves than the boat does.
The kayak tour costs $40,000 ($52) per person but it’s completely worth the extra spend.
During the kayaking tour, you get to see a number of geological features which are located quite close together.
It’s a bit of a paddle out to get to the marble caves but nothing any fit and healthy individual can’t handle. The biggest advantage of going to the caves in a kayak is the fact that you can get much closer to the caves than the boat can. You can also paddle into the Marble Tunnel which boats can’t fit into.
There’s also an element of peace and serenity to it. As there are no engines running so you can really feel the peace and power of this magical location.
The kayaking tour is also twice as long as the boat tour.
Read more: Driving the Epic Carretera Austral Chile: Everything You Need to Know
What To Expect During the Marble Caves Tour
You’ll set off to the Marble Caverns of Carrera Lake in a minivan and arrive at the launch site. After a quick briefing you’ll get kitted out and set off on Lake Carrera.
After quite a bit of a paddle, the first sight you come across is the Capilla del Marmol,(Marble Chapel) a free-standing rock islet on Lake Carrera Chile. You can quite easily kayak around it, getting closer to notice the unique rock patterns.
Just next door you’ll come to the Catedral del Marmol (Marble Cathedral), this is a much larger rock formation and easily the one with the most vivid patterns and colours.
You’ll notice several caverns and caves here, the entrances to which are perfectly smooth with linear markings throughout.
Unfortunately, you’re not allowed to paddle inside the Marble Cathedral for preservation reasons.
Finally, the kayaking tour ends with the Tunel de Marmol (Marble Tunnel).
Located right next to the Marble Cathedral, in the Marble Caves in Patagonia this location, as the name may suggest has a small tunnel which you can paddle through and really get close to the marble. Here you can notice the greys and the browns and their patterns within the rock.
If you’ve opted for the longer boat tour there are a few other sights to see on the other side of the lake near Puerto Sanchez.
Make sure not to miss the Ventisquero Colgante Glacier in Queulat National Park, another of Patagonia’s gems. Find out how to visit here.
Where to Stay
The best place to stay when visiting the Marble Caves Patagonia Chile is in or around Puerto Rio Tranquillo, however, this is a small fishing village and your options are pretty limited.
Some places offer wifi but not all and most guesthouses offer run-of-the-mill rooms with shared bathrooms. Here are my favourite options in the area:
Terra Luna Lodge– This unique cabin/lodge located right on General Carrera lake offers a number of different and incredible accommodation options, Patagonia cabin-style.
The best option at Terra Luna Lodge by far is opting for an apartment or bungalow with lake views for unique yet comfortable accommodation with simply outstanding facilities. Did I mention there’s also a hot tub right on the lake too? Book your stay here.
Mallin Colorado Ecolodge– For the log cabin of your dreams, the Mallin Colorado Ecolodge is located right on General Carrera lake with dreamy views you can’t escape from.
Each room oozes that ski-chalet cosiness where you can relax with a steaming mug of hot chocolate looking at the turquoise lake beyond. In the lobby, you’ll find a warming fireplace and they also have a good onsite restaurant. Check our rates and book here.
If you’re interested in camping, there are a number of campsites in Puerto Rio Tranquillo, the best being Camping Rio Chirifo. They have some great spots for pitching that are protected from the wind and surrounded by fruit trees in the summer- we gorged on cherries and redcurrants throughout our stay. It also has wifi in the communal mess-tent.
There are also a few good value Airbnb options in the Marble Caves Patagonia area too. Find them here.
Top Tips for Visiting
↠ Not all phone companies cover the area. The only company that has service in Puerto Rio Tranquillo is Entel. If you are travelling here and to other areas of Patagonia I highly recommend getting an Entel SIM over other companies.
↠ Try to time your visit for when the weather is good. The landscape and colours of the lake change dramatically when it’s sunny versus when its cloudy and raining. Not to mention kayaking or being on a boat for a few hours in the rain and wind might be a bit miserable.
↠ Try to do your tour in the morning. Tours are offered throughout the day, however, on most days the wind picks up in the afternoon making the lake choppier. For a less windy and wild ride try to book your tour for as early as you can in the morning.
↠ Bring lots of layers. The weather in Patagonia is everchanging so it’s best to bring many layers for the trip as it does get cold. While it doesn’t happen often you might get some spray or rain on the boat or kayak. To protect your phone and camera gear you might want to bring a waterproof bag. Even though we had our own, Tribu Patagonia did actually offer us a phone and camera dry bag.
Do you have any comments or questions about visiting the Marble Caves Patagonia Chile? Leave them in the comments below– I’d be happy to help you out!
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Related post you might like for other cool things to do in Patagonia:
Ventisquero Colgante Glacier: How to Visit Queulat National Park, Chile
Driving the Epic Carretera Austral Chile: Everything You Need to Know
The Ultimate El Chalten Travel Guide | Argentina’s Fitz Roy Range
A Short Guide To Visiting The Perito Moreno Glacier
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Ss
Hi. I’ll be visiting Chile in mid April, 2023 and would also like to see the Marble Caves at times. Please do let me know if this would be possible considering weather and other conditions.
Many thanks in advance.
Alex
SsHi, It should be possible. In the post is the link to the tour company we used. You can email them directly and ask if they are still doing tours. Be aware the season in Patagonia in April will be winding down and coming to a close so it might be worth checking in advance.