Putre is 145 kilometers (87 mi) from Arica. Gas is sometimes available at a shop on Calle Canto, near Baquedano. Look for the sign that reads “Here Fuel.” Buses leave from either Calle Baquedano or near the plaza.

To Arica: Paloma (daily 2 p.m., $6), Gutiérrez (Monday, Wednesday, Friday 5 p.m., $6)

To the Precordillera de Belén: The municipality has contracted a weekly service to and from Ticnamar in the Precordillera de Belén. It passes through all the villages along that route, arriving in Putre about 10 a.m. Wednesday and leaving that same afternoon for Ticnamar. The service, however, appears to be irregular. Check with the municipalidad for more information. Also, you can ask the driver of this bus when he arrives in town or at the Kukulí store (Baquedano 301). The same transport company runs a Tuesday route to Socorama.

To Bolivia: Cali Tours (Baquedano 399, Tel.: 08-518-0960, E-mail: cali_tours@hotmail.com, URL: www.calitours.cl) is the local contact for buses to Tambo Quemado border crossing into Bolivia. Arrange fares with it. Otherwise, go up to the cruce (crossroads) and wait for the bus to pass at about 11 a.m. Buses for Visvirí border, going by way of Parinacota, are only on Tuesday and Friday.