On the coastal strip of northern Chile, between Caldera and Huasco, true oases emerge where life clings firmly to the ground: the wetlands of the Atacama DesertIn the middle of the driest desert in the worldThese lagoons, reed beds and river mouths support birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates, filter the water and regulate the coastal microclimate.
This article brings together, in detail, the essential information for understanding and visiting these ecosystems: what they are, where they are and how to get there, what species to see, why they are so valuable, what threats they face, and how to take care of them when walking along their trails. The route takes us through the Carrizal Bajo Wetland, the mouth of the Huasco River’s most emblematic landmarks, the Totoral Wetland and the Nature Sanctuary at the Mouth of the Copiapó River, without forgetting key initiatives such as the Huasco Wetland Observatory and the recent declarations of urban wetlands.
What is a coastal wetland and why does it matter in Atacama?
A wetland is an area of ​​land that remains flooded, either permanently or periodically, by surface water or underground outcrops. On the Atacama coast, they usually form at river mouths or where water makes its way to the surface, becoming resting and feeding points for migratory birds that cross large desert expanses.
Its vegetation acts as a natural filter, improving water quality and generating humidity that cools the surrounding air. In some of these wetlands, up to one hundred different species of birds, a remarkable number for such a dry region. Furthermore, the landscape structure mitigates wind and creates refuges where biodiversity finds conditions to thrive.
Where they are and how to get there: the coastal route between Caldera and Huasco
The coastal corridor that connects Caldera with Huasco contains several essential wetlands for birdwatching and environmental education. You can access the Coastal Route from the north (Caldera) or from the Port of Huasco and Freirina, and there is also a previous exit to the Llanos de Challe National Park known as Route of the Song of WaterIt's a good idea to plan ahead, bring water, protect yourself from the sun, and respect the pedestrian access rules in areas where vehicle entry is prohibited.
Several local companies and guides offer interpretive tours; find out about services formally registered with the Atacama region helps ensure responsible, quality visits. These experiences also contribute to the local economy and strengthen conservation initiatives by connecting the community with its natural heritage.
Carrizal Bajo Wetland (Huasco commune): extraordinary biodiversity
Carrizal Bajo is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot On a global scale, it houses a remarkable wealth in just 57 hectares. Its groundwater emerges to the surface, creating a mosaic of lagoons and reed beds where numerous seabirds and freshwater birds rest and feed. Among the most striking observations is the sighting of a flamingo last year, something that hasn't happened in decades and a reminder of the changing nature of these oases.
Since September, the wetland has been classified as Nature Sanctuary, reflecting its value and fragility. The town of Carrizal Bajo is accessible by vehicle, but the tour of the wetland must be done on foot, taking care not to leave the trails. The proximity to the Llanos de Challe National Park (just 3,5 km away) offers circuits that combine the coast, flowering desert in rainy years, and conservation, a perfect opportunity to promote joint protection actions.
Mouth of the Huasco River: a semi-salty giant
The mouth of the Huasco River It forms an extensive marine-coastal wetland where freshwater and marine waters meet, generating a semi-saline environment. This allows freshwater birds to coexist with seabirds, increasing diversity: here it is possible to count up to one hundred avian species at certain times of the year.
It is one of the few marine wetlands The island is one of the country's largest and extends over 451 hectares. It has no infrastructure and access is exclusively on foot along the beach, a journey that can take around an hour, so visitor responsibility is crucial: there are no services, no walkways, no signage, and any inappropriate behavior results in immediate impacts on birds, reptiles, mammals and rodents that depend on the location.
Totoral Wetland (Copiapó): small in size, enormous in value
To the southwest of the commune of Copiapó, the Totoral Wetland It protects five hectares of hydrophilous vegetation and coastal waters. A count conducted by the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) recorded the presence of the coscoroba swan with chicks, a particularly significant event as it is the northernmost nesting record for this species in Chile.
Along with this iconic image, in Totoral you can see mallard and red-crested ducks, northern tagüitas, huairavos, and other species adapted to the desert coast. The wetland is currently advancing in the process of being declared a Nature Sanctuary, a logical step given its biological characteristics and its role as a refuge in an extremely arid environment.
Mouth of the Copiapó River: Nature Sanctuary and Science in Motion
South of the city of Caldera and on the Atacama coast, the mouth of the Copiapó River It is a complete oasis: coastal lagoons surrounded by dense reed beds where hundreds of birds nest and rest, and where foxes and small native rodents also roam. Since 2022, its 115,2 hectares have been officially protected as Nature Sanctuary, a landmark that recognizes its ecological importance in an arid environment.
The most recent land registers indicate the presence of more than 119 bird species, among them the seven-colored bat (popularized by Fiu) and the coscoroba swan, which find the limit of their distribution in Chile here. The flora is not far behind: at least 54 native plants grow, sixteen of them endemic to the country. Studies with infrasound sensors have allowed the recording of three species of bats that were not previously identified in the area, demonstrating that there is still much to discover in this mosaic of life.
Human pressure is intense, especially in summer: garbage accumulating in the water or on the beach, stray dogs harassing or preying on birds (with peak packs due to abandonment at the end of the season), trucks entering the beach, kayaks in the lagoon, or 4x4 motorcycles on adjacent dunes. These are unregulated uses that open trails, crush flora, and disturb fauna. For this reason, the University of Atacama promoted a management plan for this Sanctuary with funding from the Ministry of the Environment, whose administrator will be the municipality of Caldera with technical support from the UDA.
The project includes three pillars: defining conservation guidelines with the participation of local stakeholders and communities; implementing monitoring of flora, fauna, invertebrates, and water resources (including camera traps and infrasound sensors); and deploying environmental education with talks and workshops for schoolchildren and residents of Caldera and Puerto Viejo, along with outreach campaigns on local networks and media. Declaring a Sanctuary is only the first step: what's crucial is how it's managed, what resources are used, and with whom agreements are forged.
Types of wetlands present in the Atacama Region
Despite its aridity, the Atacama region boasts a remarkable variety of wetlands. In the cold-arid high Andean zone, lagoons and meadows linked to the Nevado Tres Cruces National Park are concentrated, with sites such as the Laguna del Negro Francisco and Laguna Santa Rosa, and biological corridors such as Pantanillo and Ciénega Redonda. On the coast, riparian wetlands such as Carrizal Bajo and the mouths of the Copiapó and Huasco rivers stand out.
- Artificial: Built by humans, the Lautaro reservoir and the Santa Juana reservoir operate as reservoirs relevant to agriculture and fauna of the valleys of Copiapó and Huasco.
- Lacustrine: with permanent water and low circulation, they include coastal lagoons (for example, in Carrizal Bajo) and high Andean lagoons such as Negro Francisco, Santa Rosa and green lagoon.
Key ecosystem services: water, climate and coastal protection
The coastal wetlands of Atacama function as natural sponges: They store water during periods of heavy rainfall, reduce flood risk, and replenish groundwater through infiltration. They also help regulate local temperature through plant evapotranspiration and improve water quality by retaining sediment and pollutants.
Along the coastal strip, its vegetation and geomorphology act as natural barriers that cushion storm surges and can even help contain the impact of tsunamis. Added to this is the carbon capture and storage, a direct contribution to the climate change mitigation, and their value as spaces for education, research and responsible nature tourism.
International protection and challenges: from the coast to the sea
The formal protection of these oases is being promoted through science and public management. Some proposals have focused on four coastal wetlands—the Copiapó River Mouth, the Totoral Coastal Wetland, the Huasco River Mouth, and the Carrizal Bajo Wetland—which, taken together, have been included in certain documents in 127 hectares for the purposes of their application. Beyond the number, the intention is to move toward high-standard designations (such as Ramsar) that recognize their value and implement effective measures.
The discussion connects with Chile's experience in marine protected areas: naming is necessary, but insufficient without funding, oversight, and commitment from communities, businesses, and local governments. Chile's participation in marine protected areas Ramsar Convention It reinforces this integrative approach, which links the coast and the ocean, and seeks to overcome threats such as uncontrolled urban development, waste pollution, and the entry of invasive species.
Threats and how to visit without leaving a trace
The best way to care for wetlands is to visit them with discretion and respect. Pollution from trash, stray dogs, noise, vehicle entry into sensitive areas, and the traffic of motorcycles or 4x4 dune driving Nearby areas are real problems that directly affect wildlife and vegetation. In summer, when visitor numbers increase, these impacts skyrocket if there is no self-control.
- Don't litter, don't throw cigarette butts, don't throw plastic away; take everything back with you. The beach and lagoon are not a dumping ground.
- Avoid throwing stones or chasing birds; respect their cycles for resting, feeding and nesting.
- Do not take loose pets: they can stress, injure, or prey on native wildlife; if you are traveling with a dog, keep him on a leash.
- Reduce the noise and choose to walk; do not enter with a vehicle to unauthorized sectors or open new tracks.
These are simple measures that make a difference. In places without infrastructure, such as the mouth of the Huasco River, individual responsibility is crucial; your actions can prevent everything from the loss of nests to the crushing of seedlings that stabilize dunes and lagoon edges.
Huasco Wetland Observatory: a space to understand and enjoy
On the Huasco waterfront, at the entrance to the wetland, an observatory is planned, funded by the Public Science program (Regional Public Spaces) and led by professors Ximena Arizaga and Osvaldo Moreno. The objective is to create a meeting place to explore and appreciate the environmental and cultural values of the landscape, with experiences designed for scientific dissemination and citizen education.
The project includes an environmental classroom with a permeable gravel floor—ideal for educational and recreational activities—and a set of vertical elements called "bulrush and reed forests," which, on an enlarged scale, evoke the architecture of marsh fibers typical of wetlands. These structures cast dynamic shadows and generate microhabitats. Surrounding them, interpretive stations Horizontal panels will explain the hydrology, geomorphology, ecology, and history of the wetland. Strategically placed benches will allow for rest, bird watching, and access to new perspectives of the landscape.
Urban wetlands: recent advances and the case of Kaukari
Chile has taken significant steps by recently declaring four new urban wetlands between Atacama and BiobÃo, the result of collaborative work between communities, scientists, and the Ministry of the Environment. These areas, in addition to their biodiversity, contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation: they function as sponges, capturing carbon, and improving air and water quality.
In Talca, the Cajón del RÃo Claro and Estero Piduco riverbanks were protected. This 328,41-hectare riparian wetland is home to birds such as the jergón duck and the seven-colored duck, as well as vulnerable amphibians such as the curly-headed toad and the Chilean frog. In BiobÃo, the coastal lagoons Recamo and Redacamo (8,36 hectares) are home to more than 40 species of birds and native fish such as the Chilean silverside. In Copiapó, the HU Kaukari Park —the first of its kind in a MINVU urban park— protects 2,4 hectares of endemic flora (goat horn and guanaco foot) and fauna such as the Manuel lizard (Endangered) and the harrier. And in Coquimbo, the Pichidangui–Los Vilos Conservation Area protects 5,14 hectares, key to species like the Chilean iguana and the degu.
Along with these declarations, environmental education campaigns are underway with workshops, educational programs, and the promotion of sustainable tourism. The environmental authority has emphasized that these actions only work with inter-institutional collaboration and active participation of communities, because conservation is a shared task.
Practical tips for organizing your visit
To make the most of the experience, combine several points in a single day if the weather permits: Carrizal Bajo in the morning, a stop to observe from the Huasco waterfront and, if you have time, a walk to the mouth of the Huasco River. Leave your vehicle where it belongs and walk slowly: you'll see more birds and reduce your footprint.
In Copiapó, reserve at least half a day for the Copiapó River Mouth Sanctuary. Bring binoculars, a windbreaker, and, if it's summer, sunscreen and plenty of water. Learn about the workshops and talks These are carried out with schools and local residents, a great way to understand the site beyond the photo. If you hire a guide, make sure they're registered and that their practices are respectful of wildlife.
The wetlands of the Atacama Desert are fragile and unique, and perhaps that is where their magnetism lies: in that, against all odds, they sustain life in abundance. From Carrizal Bajo to Copiapó, from Totoral to the mouth of the Huasco, each one contributes a piece to the ecological puzzle of the region. Caring for them—with management, science and good behavior Visiting them—is the best guarantee that they will continue to be oases of biodiversity and knowledge for many years to come.
