.webp "Image: Archivo Municipalidad de Hualpen") |
| Image: Archivo Municipalidad de Hualpen |
Caleta Lenga is a cove and tourist beach located on the coast south of San Vicente Bay, in the province of Concepcion, southern Chile. It has been part of the municipality of Hualpen since 2004 and is located 15 minutes from the center of the cities of Concepcion and Talcahuano.
In addition, Caleta Lenga has become a popular tourist destination due to its gastronomy, landscape and recreational activities such as windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing. Recently, Lenga beach was authorized for swimming for the first time in its history, with safety measures such as lifeguards and paramedics.
Climate
The climate of Caleta Lenga is temperate oceanic, featuring an annual mean temperature of 13°C and a rainfall averaging 1,100 mm. annually. Summers are characterized by cool, dry weather, with temperatures averaging 17°C and rainfall totaling around 30 mm. Winters bring cold, wet conditions, with average temperatures of 9°C and rainfall reaching 250 mm.
How to get to Caleta Lenga
To get to Caleta Lenga from Concepcion or Talcahuano, you can take the Ruta Interportuaria that connects both cities and then follow Route 160 to the turnoff to Lenga. The trip takes about 20 minutes by car.
You can also get there by public transport, taking the intercity buses that leave from the Collao or Camilo Henríquez terminals and stop in Lenga. The trip takes about 40 minutes and the fare is about US$ 1.20
Location of Caleta Lenga
Main attractions
Without listing all the places of interest that can be visited in the nearby cities of Concepcion and Talcahuano, there are several other attractions near Caleta Lenga that may be of interest to the visitor:
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| Image: Diario Concepcion |
- Playa Ramuntcho, a large beach of white sand and calm waters, ideal for resting and swimming. It has basic services such as lifeguards, toilets, showers and parking. You can also practice water sports such as windsurfing, kite surfing and sailing.
Playa Ramuntcho is a very popular tourist destination in the area also due to its gastronomy, landscape and services such as seafood restaurants, promenade, estuary and nature reserve. The distance between Playa Ramuntcho and Playa Las Lengas is approximately 3 kilometers.
- Playa Perone, a beach located on the Hualpen Peninsula, within close proximity to Caleta Lenga. Perfect for enjoying nature and going on walks. It's a picturesque spot with calm waters and clean sands.
- Playa Los Cuervos, is a beach that stands out for its natural beauty, although access can be a little difficult. It is located on the road to Ramuntcho and it is advisable to take precautions when going down to the beach. At low tide, it is possible to enjoy an accessible cave. For a safer access, there is the possibility of arriving through Playa San Juan. It is recommended to walk carefully and follow the signs to get there safely. Playa Los Cuervos and Playa Las Lengas are located at a distance of approximately 2 kilometers from each other.
- Playa Los Burros, with a 4.7 rating and 185 reviews, this is a charming option near Caleta Lenga. Ideal for enjoying nature and relaxing in a coastal setting. The distance to Caleta Lenga varies depending on the route taken, the longest distance is 15.8 km.
- Playa Rocoto, with a rating of 4.8 and 392 reviews, is another popular beach in Hualpen. It offers a picturesque and pleasant environment for visitors.
- Playa Punta Pangal, near Caleta Lenga, is a charming destination for nature lovers. Ideal for observing seabirds and enjoying beautiful coastal landscapes. It provides a relaxing and serene atmosphere for visitors.
- The Lenga estuary, an ecosystem that is home to a great variety of wild birds, including black-necked swans, coscoroba swans, cormorants, coots and pelicans. You can visit the estuary by boat or kayak and observe the flora and fauna of the place.
Although it has sometimes been affected by drought, the Estuario Lenga is considered one of the most important wetlands in the Greater Concepcion area due to its size and biological diversity.
- The Cerro Teta Norte, one of the hills known as "Tetas del Biobio", offers a spectacular panoramic view of the bay and the gulf. The hill can be reached on foot or on horseback, enjoying the scenery and nature.
- The local gastronomy is based on seafood products such as fish, shellfish and seaweed. Caleta Lenga has more than 20 restaurants offering typical dishes such as caldillo de congrio, seafood empanadas, crab cakes or ceviche. The prices are affordable and the quality is excellent.
- The Marine Laboratory, part of the Universidad Catolica de la Santisima Concepcion, conducts research on marine biodiversity and offers guided tours for those interested in learning more.
- Parque Nacional Nonguen, located near Concepcion, about 25 km from Lenga, depending on the route you take. This national park protects important wildlife species and offers opportunities for hiking, bird watching and enjoying nature. Within the reserve you will find native forests, rivers and a variety of flora and fauna.
Additional information
- In 2024 Caleta Lenga has a population of approximately 6,000 inhabitants.
- The name of the bay comes from the presence of lenga trees in the nearby forests.
- The cove has a tourist information module of the municipality of Hualpen and a public school.
- The cove has a history linked to mining and artisanal fishing.
- In its beginnings, the small town of Caleta Lenga was dedicated to fishing and the collection of gracilaria or pelillo seaweed. Today, however, it has evolved to become a gastronomic center that attracts both domestic and foreign tourists.
- Marine gastronomy, under the slogan "Lenga, true taste of the sea", more than 20 restaurants in Caleta Lenga are referents of the regional cuisine of Biobio. These establishments specializing in seafood cuisine offer delicious dishes such as empanadas (seafood turnovers), pailas marinas, machas a la parmesana or al pil pil, carapachos, reinetas, conger eels and fried hake.
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