Laguna de Aculeo Lake

Admission: Free (lake currently dry in many periods)

Laguna de Aculeo was a natural freshwater lake in Chile’s Santiago Metropolitan Region that historically served as a local recreational and ecological resource. In the 2010s the lake experienced severe shrinkage and in many years the basin has been largely dry, transforming its role in the landscape.

When filled it supported boating, swimming and lakeside recreation and was a focal point for nearby rural communities. The recent loss of open water has provoked local concern, legal actions and interest in water-management responses rather than recreational use.

The lake formed naturally within the region’s hydrology but has been strongly affected by changing precipitation and human water use, which together produced the recent desiccation trend.

Located southwest of Santiago in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, the basin lies among agricultural lowlands and small towns that formerly used the lake for leisure and water supply.

• Drying status: Once a popular recreational spot for boating and watersports near Santiago, the lake has largely desiccated in recent years due to prolonged drought and water extraction.

From Santiago, drive southwest via Ruta 78 and local roads to the Paine/Isla de Maipo area (about a 1-1.5 hour drive depending on traffic). Local signage points toward the former lake basin and surrounding towns.

• Check current conditions before visiting-Laguna de Aculeo has experienced significant desiccation and may be dry or reduced to mudflats.
• Talk to local residents in Paine for the most up-to-date reports on water levels and access.
• If water is present, morning light on the remaining surface can still be beautiful; otherwise the drained basin has its own eerie textures.