Bosque Fray Jorge National Park

This park, declared by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve, is an extraordinary natural phenomenon. It is a typical Valdivian forest situated in a coastal desert area. As the annual rainfall never exceeds 113mm (4.4 in), the existence of the forest depends entirely on the condensation of coastal fog; called camanchaca. In this area, approximately 400 hectares (880 acres) cinnamon trees, terabinth shrubs, tepas trees and a wide variety of ferns flourish 1,250 km (781 mi) away from where they normally exist.

Location

Coquimbo Region, 150km (94 mi) south of La Serena. Ovalle is 86km (54 mi) southeast of La Serena. Location

How to get there

Santiago/Ovalle. By car. Leave the city on the road that leads to Cerillos de Tamaya, and turn off there. The first part of the road is paved, and the rest is gravel. Pass the turn off that goes towards Cerrillos and follow the road that leads to the Pan-American highway (36km from the west of Ovalle), cross it and continue on the gravel road until you reach the National Park. See Transportation

When to go

All year round, but best during spring.

Other nearby attractions

Talinay National Park, Socos Hot Springs.

Activities

Trekking, photography, observing wild life. Activities Section

Climate

Average annual rainfall is 113mm (4.4 in). Average relative humidity is 85%. The maximum temperature in January is 23°C (73°F), and the minimum 7°C (44°F) in July. In the middle of the forest, rainfall fluctuates between 800 and 1000 mm (31 and 39 in.) every year.

Services

Accommodations, food, nurseries, some public transportation and walking trails.

Price

Adults: Chileans and foreigners CLP $1,600 (in USD).

Children: Chileans and foreigners CLP $600 (in USD).