Costanera Walk

A walk along the costanera (coastal road) opens a window onto the natural and human history of Porvenir. The old wharf at the entrance to town is a favorite hangout for gulls, cormorants and other seabirds. Strolling up Avenida Señoret, you encounter several of the village's first buildings. On the right, at the foot of Calle Justo de la Rivera, is Vicente Camelio's house (1930s), the first mechanic's garage in Porvenir and now the Club Volantes de Porvenir. On the corner of Señoret and Silva, to the left, is one of the oldest constructions, home of Miguel Radonich and Tierra del Fuego's first cinema (1900-05). On the next block, on the beach, is a cluster of artisan shops. Past this is a wooden sculpture of a Selk'nam hunter, carved by Richard Yasic Israel (1999). The Selk'nam called Bahía de Porvenir “Karkanke,” meaning Low Waters. Across the avenue is the Club Croata, built by Simón Cvitanic (1926).

As the road begins to curve with the bay, the Paseo de las Américas begins. In Parque Croata, formerly Parque Yugoslavia, is a white, globe-shaped monument erected in 1983 to honor the people who came to this promised land. At the intersection of Avenidas Señoret and Santa María is an obelisk with a clock. On the sea side of the boulevard are Plazas de las Banderas and de Recuerdo with an odd assortment of old carts, trucks, ship parts and other implements of the early 20th century. Just south of the obelisk, on the left side of Santa María, is the house of the Mariano Mimica Mimica family, one of the most important of Porvenir (1920).

Avenida Santa María continues along the coast of Bahía de Porvenir. The stretch called Laguna de los Croatas (Laguna de los Yogoslavos) by some is frequented all year long by waterfowl. In winter is possible to spot Flamenco Chileno (Chilean flamingo, Phoenicopterus chilensis) and Cisne de Cuello Negro (black-necked swan, Cygnus melancoryphus). Keep an eye out for dolphins playing in the icy waters.

Soon the town ends and the countryside begins. A branch of the road (signposted) heads to the top of Cerro Mirador, from where you can view the town, Straits of Magellan and Cordillera Darwin. The main dirt road hugs the side of the bay to the lone Casa de Piedra, built at the end of the 19th century by Natalio Foretic and used to process lime.

Location:
Porvenir, Chile

City Walk Types:
The malecón and beach

Travel Tips: Cerro Mirador is a 20-30 minute walk, one way, from town. To Casa de Piedra, (two kilometers / 1.2 miles distant) is an hour one way.

Price Description: Free.

Relative price: Budget

Open Hours from:Dawn

Open Hours to:Dusk

Travel Skills: None

You Need to Bring: Take along a picnic lunch, to enjoy in the solitude of the far side of the bay.

Stroll around the town, taking in the Fuegian architecture; visit Museo Provincial Fernando Cordero Rusque; bird watch at Monumental Natural Laguna de los Cisnes or take a boat tour of Bahía de Porvenir to see dolphins. Hit the various circuits through the surrounding countryside: Histórico Cultural, de Oro and de Petróleo. Go fishing at Lago Blanco, or trek the Cordillera Darwin, Parque Nacional Alberto de Agostini and other reserves.

Currencies accepted
Chilean Peso

By Lorraine Caputo

Upon re-declaring her independence at age 29, Lorraine Caputo packed her trusty Rocinante (so her knapsack's called) and began traipsing throughout...

Created: 28 May 2009

Updated: 10 Jun 2009

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