Concepción

For other places with the same name, see Concepción (disambiguation).

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.

Understand

Concepción Centro

Concepción was founded by Pedro de Valdivia in 1550 north of the Bío-Bío River, at the site which is today known as Penco. At that time it was given the name Concepción del Nuevo Extremo. More than once the city has been destroyed by earthquakes and tsunamis. One in 1570, another on the 25 May 1751, at which point it was decided to move Concepción further from the sea to its present location in the Mocha Valley.

Catedral de la Santísima Concepción

The Universidad de Concepción was founded in 1919, and has its main campus in the city. It was the first private university in Chile. The neighbouring harbour of Talcahuano holds the largest naval base in the country.

• Concepción municipality website

Get in

By car

The famous "Carretera Panamericana", also called "Ruta 5 Sur", there is a very good route from Santiago, meeting international standards for the most part. Drive south from Santiago to near Chillan city (5 hr), then take the "Ruta del Itata" to west for about an hour.

By bus

• 1 Terminal Collao (Main bus station). All long distance coaches leave from here. (updated Oct 2024)

You can take buses every half an hour from Santiago from 5,000 pesos. Buses are the fastest form of public transport in Chile. Unlike Europe, train services are scarce and the journey take 2–3 times longer than bus.

There are at least two non-stop express services that connect Santiago and Concepcion, EME Bus and PullmanTur (do not confuse with PullmanBus). They take no more than 5 hours. Fares vary, 4,000–12,000 pesos. It depends on the season and day of the week.

By train

• 2 Estación Concepción. (updated Jul 2023)

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. Night trains from Santiago to Concepción go directly without any change to buses.

From the South there are trains from Laja. Laja connects to Los Ángeles by rural bus every 30 min (from about 06:00-20:00). This bus takes about 1-1½ hr depending on traffic.

By plane

• 3 Carriel Sur International Airport (CCP  ^IATA). (updated Jul 2023)

Three airlines serve Concepción:

• JetSmart flies from Antofagasta, Arica, Balmaceda, Calama, Iquique, Lima, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, Santiago
• LATAM flies from Antofagasta, Lima, Punta Arenas, Santiago
• Sky Airline flies from Antofagasta, Calama, Santiago

Get around

The Gran Concepción is the name that receives the whole metropolitan area, which includes Talcahuano, Hualpen, San Pedro de la Paz, Chiguayante, Hualqui and Penco.

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.

The following is the list with the public transportation services in The Gran Concepcion:

Talcahuano (through Concepcion-Talcahuano Highway) Vía Láctea (Line 10), Via Futuro (Line 11), Via Siglo XXI (Line 13), Chiguayante Sur (Line 14), Via Universo (Line 16), Nueva Llacolen (Line 20), Ruta Las Playas (Line 30), Buses Campanil (Line 50), Las Bahías(Line 70), Las Galaxias (Line 80)

Talcahuano (through Colon Avenue) Vía Láctea (Line 10), Via Futuro (Line 11), Nueva Sotrapel (Line 12), Vía Siglo XXI (Line 13), Chiguayante Sur (Line 14), Via Universo (line 16), Nueva Llacolen (Line 20), Ruta Las Playas (Line 30), Ruta del Mar (Line 31), Buses Ruta Del Mar (Line 32), Buses Campanil (Line 50), Buses Geminis Sur (Line 52), Base Naval (Line 56), Denavi Sur (Line 57), Mi Expreso (Line 62), Las Bahías (Line 70), Las Galaxias (Line 80), Via Del Sol (Line 81)

Hualpén (through Concepcion-Talcahuano Highway) Las Golondrinas (Line 40), Buses Mini Verde (Line 41) and Mini Buses Hualpencillo (Line 42).

Hualpén (through Colon Avenue) Nueva Sotrapel (Line 12), Ruta Las Playas (Line 30), Las Golondrinas (Line 40), Buses Mini Verde (Line 41), Mini Buses Hualpencillo (Line 42), Flota Las Lilas (Line 43), Flota Centauro (Line 44), Buses Tucapel (Line 60), Buses Cóndor (Line 65), Buses Puchacay (Line 71), Vía del Sol (Line 81), among others.

San Pedro de la Paz Nueva Llacolen (Line 20), Riviera Bio Bío (Line 21), San Pedro (Line 22), Buses San Pedro del Mar (Line 23), San Remo (Line 24), Las Golondrinas (Line 40) and Rengo Lientur (Line 63).

Chiguayante Vía Láctea (Line 10), Via Futuro (Line 11), Nueva Sotrapel (Line 12), Via Siglo XXI (Line 13), Chiguayante Sur (Line 14), Via Universo (Líne 16), Expresos Chiguayante (Line 17), Buses Palomares (Line 18), Las Galaxias (Line 80) and Vía del Sol (Líne 81).

Penco Expresos Chiguayante (Line 17), Ruta Las Playas (Line 30), Ruta del Mar (Line 31), Buses Ruta del Mar (Líne 32) and Mi Expreso (Line 62).

Hualqui = Las Galaxias (Line 80), Buses Palomares (Line 18) and Vía del Sol (Line 81).

just inside Concepción Buses Pedro de Valdivia (Line 72), Buses Tucapel (Line 60 Z & M) and Rengo-Lientur (Line 63).

See

Chiflon del diablo

Electric plant in Chivilingo

The Huascar in Talcahuano's Bay

• 1 Universidad de Concepción (University of Concepción). A beautiful university with big gardens. Must see La Pinacoteca. (updated Jul 2023)
• Parque Pedro del Río Zañartu (10 min from downtown. The only way to get into this place is by car or taxi, do not pay more than 10,000 pesos for a single ride—ask the taxi driver for "Museo Hualpen".). 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: (updated Jul 2023)

• 2 Museo Hualpén (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. (updated Jul 2023)
• Hualpén Museum and the Desembocadura (inside Parque Pedro del Rio Zañartu at the rivermouth of the Bio Bio river). This museum has a big variety of archaeological, natural and historical pieces of collection. (updated Jul 2023)

• 3 Chivilingo Hydroelectric Plant (Central hidroeléctrica de Chivilingo). Near Lota is the Chile's first electric plant, today a beautiful museum and picnic area. (updated Jul 2023)
• 4 The Huascar. 9:00-11:00 & 14:00-16:00. 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. 3100 CLP. (updated Oct 2024)
• 5 Mirador Alemán (Bismarck Tower) (hike from Parque Ecuador). A nice hike uphill on well maintained trails, through a eucalyptus forrest. 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. (updated Oct 2024)

Do

• 1 Marina del Sol Casino (5 min from the Airport and 15 min from Concepción). A new establishment for gambling and entertainment. It offers a big variety of games and shows for adults and kids. (updated Jul 2023)
• 2 Península of Hualpén. Visit an old whale factory in Chome, a white sanded bay called Ramuntcho, or the Nature Sanctuary. (updated Jul 2023)
• 3 Lenga (15 min from Concepcion by car and 35 min by bus (Puchacay, Line 71); the bus will take much longer as it doesn't take the highway, but is cheaper (US$0.80)). 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. (updated Jul 2023)

Further afield

• 4 Tomé (30 min from Concepción centre by bus). A seaside town, which is fairly forgettable, but go in the spring or summer to enjoy the beautiful beach. (updated Jul 2023)
• 5 Dichato (45 minutes from Concepción). A popular beach in the Bio-Bio region. Surrounded by a large forest, with a long beach and delicious seafood. (updated Jul 2023)
• 6 Nonguén National Park (Reserva Nonguén) (20 minutes by car from Concepción). A natural reserve—untouched native forests and endemic animals such as the Rana de Darwin, Pudú, etc. (updated Jul 2023)
• 7 Lota (40 km south of Concepción). Am old mining town Lota that offers tours of an old coal mine. (updated Jul 2023)

Learn

Spanish, because of its weather, friendliness of its people and many students around, this is a great place to learn Spanish. Several schools are available, such as HelloChile (info@hello-chile.com).

Sports

• Regional Stadium – It is the main and biggest stadium in The metropolitan area.it hosts Universidad de Concepcion and Deportes Concepcion matches, a ticket price can vary from 2,000 to 5,000 pesos depend on the match.
• CAP Stadium – It hosts Huachipato's matches, a ticket is more expensive, 4000 pesos as it has very comfortable accommodations.
• El Morro Stadium – A historical English design stadium, is the hosts for Naval. During the 1960s the Brazilian superstar Pele played with his team Santos. Destroyed by the 2010 earthquake and tsunami. Not advisable to visit.
• Federico Schwager Stadium – The host for Lota Schwager. It's been abandoned, so it is not advisable to visit.

Buy

Concepción is not a touristic city so if you are looking for cheap and cheerful souvenirs you will have to use your imagination.

• Mall Plaza Trebol. 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. 
• Galerías – There are various shopping arcades in the centre of the city mainly on Barros Arana and Maipú close to the Plaza de Independencia (de Armas). Full of inexpensive little clothing stores, beauty salons, hairdressers and any other kind of store you can imagine. Clothing, etc., tends to be poor quality and the bargain prices reflect this. Popular with locals and worth exploring on a rainy day.

Eat

Budget

• 1 Waya'S Gyros, Pl. Perú 133. 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! (updated Mar 2023)
• 2 Alimento Terrestre, Colo Colo 152. (updated Mar 2023)
• 3 Luncheonette, Colo Colo 672. (updated Mar 2023)
• 4 Restaurante Chinos Hermanos, Maipú 930. (updated Mar 2023)
• 5 Fuente Penquista, Libertador Gral. Bernardo O'Higgins 63. (updated Mar 2023)
• 6 Bendita Pizza, Freire 532. (updated Mar 2023)

Mid-range

• La Fuente Alemana (several locations around Plaza de la Indepencia). 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. (updated Mar 2023)
• La Fina Estampa (several locations around Plaza de la Indepencia). Peruvian restaurant serving good fresh seafood and great Pisco Sours. Quite a sophisticated place but the pricing is reasonable. (updated Mar 2023)
• 7 Tijuana Mall Trebol, Av. Pdte. Jorge Alessandri Rodriguez 3177. 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. (updated Mar 2023)

Splurge

• 8 Alcatorce Restaurant, Libertador Gral. Bernardo O'Higgins 241. (updated Mar 2023)
• 9 Madriguera Gastro Bar, Augusto D'halmar 1372. (updated Mar 2023)
• 10 Solocarnes Y Aquarium, Av. N° 78 Lomas de San Andrés. (updated Mar 2023)
• 11 Jazz Restaurant, Alonso García de Ramón 215. (updated Mar 2023)

Drink

Concepción is full of bars and nightclubs so try the traditional Pisco Sour cocktail, a Piscola or even a beer from the German settled south of the country.

• 1 Latitud Sur, Víctor Lamas 401. 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. (updated Jul 2023)
• 2 Maldita Sea, Rengo 1624. Lively night club. (updated Jul 2023)
• Choripan. 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. (updated Jul 2023)
• 3 Cafe Neruda, Diagonal Pedro Aguirre Cerda. 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. (updated Jul 2023)

Sleep

• Hotel El Araucano, Caupolicán 521. A very comfortable hotel, on the Plaza de Armas. (updated Feb 2019)
• Hotel Alborada. A hotel with a nice "green" entrance, 3–4-star environment. (updated Jul 2023)

Stay safe

The city is generally safe, however:

• Be aware of pickpockets and avoid wearing expensive-looking jewelry or watches, even during the day.
• Do not visit Talcahuano's seaport, Hualpen and near areas in the night, especially on weekends.
• Other residential areas such as Chiguayante, San Pedro de la Paz, are worth visiting but have their dangerous places also, so be careful when going unaccompanied by people who live there or know well the place.

Respect

• Population is very tolerant and friendly.
• As the rest of country, this city has largely conservative Catholic and Protestant population but Freemasonry has an important influence in culture, education and business here.
• Very strong social movements and political activity, sometimes heavily polarizated, be careful while discussing topics such as Pinochet's regime or Pacific War.
• Mind your vocabulary, in contrast with the rest of Chile, Concepcion is highly populated by university students, so they can understand if you are talking in English. Avoid unnecessary comments about the city and people.

Go next

• Chillán – A ski town 2 hr from Concepción. Home to a large volcano with great skiing so visit in the winter or enjoy the thermal spas heated by the volcanic waters year-round.
• Isla Mocha – An island that can be reached from Tirua, a journey 5 hr south by bus.
• Santiago – The capital is a 6-hour bus journey away and buses run frequently so if you need a taste of the big city life, it's not too far.