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City and Commune in Bío Bío, Chile
Photo: Carlos Figueroa, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Concepción is Chile's second largest city with a population of almost 227,000 (out of Concepción province's 946,000) as of 2016. It is a city rich in culture, history and beauty on the coast of Southern Chile. The commune is home to historical bridges, murals, parks and lagoons, and to important cultural centers such as the Biobío Theater, the House of Art, the Natural History Museum and the University of Concepción Theater. A variety of bars and entertainment venues provide an active nightlife to the city.
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University of Concepción
A beautiful university with big gardens. Must see La Pinacoteca.
It offers beauty natural landscapes and recreational places. 5 minutes farther you can see the join of Bio Bio river and the Pacific Ocean. The following museums are available here:
Museo Pedro del Río Zañartu
A beautiful old house that was converted to a museum holding the collection of Mr. Pedro del Rio Zañartu, a world traveller.
This museum has a big variety of archaeological, natural and historical pieces of collection.
Central hidroeléctrica de Chivilingo
Near Lota is the Chile's first electric plant, today a beautiful museum and picnic area.
At the naval base in Talcahuano, the Huascar is a ship that was captured from the Peruvian navy in a war in the late 1800s. It is a symbol of Chilean national pride and is the oldest floating historical relic in the world. Visit the museum to learn more.
Bismarck Tower
A nice hike uphill on well maintained trails, through a eucalyptus forest. At the highest point of the Cerro Caracol there is a stone tower built in 1921 by the German community in Concepcíon as a tribute to the first chancellor of Germany, Otto von Bismarck. On the way back you can either retrace your steps or walk north-east towards the University of Concepcíon.
A new establishment for gambling and entertainment. It offers a big variety of games and shows for adults and kids.
Visit an old whale factory in Chome, a white sanded bay called Ramuntcho, or the Nature Sanctuary.
Go and eat seafood in this seaside town. Try some seafood empanadas or mariscal caliente in one of the numerous eating places. These restaurants do not accept credit cards, so bring cash. El Viejo Lobo del Mar is recommended.
A seaside town, which is fairly forgettable, but go in the spring or summer to enjoy the beautiful beach.
A popular beach in the Bio-Bio region. Surrounded by a large forest, with a long beach and delicious seafood.
Reserva Nonguén
A natural reserve—untouched native forests and endemic animals such as the Rana de Darwin, Pudú, etc.
Am old mining town Lota that offers tours of an old coal mine.
Greek-inspired salads and wraps. Healthy and delicious food. Kuntsmann beer is also available by the pitcher so bring some friends, grab a table outside and enjoy!
The go-to place to eat the completos which Chileans love so much. (completos = a hotdog with mayonnaise, tomato and avocado). Go downstairs for a quick snack or upstairs for table service.
Peruvian restaurant serving good fresh seafood and great Pisco Sours. Quite a sophisticated place but the pricing is reasonable.
Mexican food. All you can eat on Thursday nights and Sunday lunchtime. While the food is more like a Chilean take on traditional Mexican food, it is delicious and has a great atmosphere with lively music and friendly staff. Tijuana express is in the Plaza Peru—a much smaller venue and limited menu but just as good.
Probably one of the more sophisticated bars in Concepción's centre. Great artesenal beers made in the on-site microbrewery, beautiful interior and a decent food menu. The price reflects the atmosphere though.
Lively night club with a variety of music genres. While explicitly intended gay clubs don't exist in Concepción, Maldita Sea is most popular with the city's LGBTQ population, and functions as its main gay club.
Probably the only bar with a pub feel in the Barrio Estacion. Decent live band playing covers of the Doors, Pink Floyd, etc. Drinks can be pricey so come for happy hour before midnight.
On the Diagonal (close to the Plaza Peru) a really relaxed bar which is usually full of a lively young crowd taking advantage of the good prices on litres of beers. The bar's interior is inspired by the poetry of Pablo Neruda and gives the place a chilled, cool atmosphere.
A very comfortable hotel, on the Plaza de Armas.
A hotel with a nice "green" entrance, 3–4-star environment.
On the highway to Talcahuano. Take a bus from Concepción centre or a colectivo. A large North American inspired shopping mall complete with food court, cinema and amusement arcade. Home to shops like Zara, Puma, Lacoste and Lush as well as several larger department stores.
This is the last supermarket as you are heading north into Central Chile. Along the coast you mostly have the choice between small and very small mini-markets.
By bus
You can take buses every half an hour from Santiago from 5,000 pesos. Buses are the fastest form of public transport in Chile.
By train
From the north there are trains that link Santiago and Concepción. The trip takes 4½ hr to Chillán. There is a change to bus (included in the ticket price) that takes you to Concepción.
By plane
By public transport
The transportation system has buses and shared taxis services that reach every single place in the metropolitan area. there is a commuter train service (BioTren) that reaches the surrounding areas.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Concepcion · International · CCP
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