Parque Tricao, an Ecological Reserve in the Heart of Valparaiso.
Fundación Parque Tricao is a non-profit organization that promotes natural spaces, biodiversity, sports and outdoor culture. The foundation rescues and preserves the forests and vegetation of the revines in the central zone of Chile.
Parque Tricao is a private ecological reserve open to the community. It is located in Santo Domingo, in the Valparaíso Region of Chile, just one hour from Santiago.
Through its multiple spaces and experiences, Parque Tricao promotes nature as its central axis for the development of cultural and recreational activities.
The park is designed for the whole family, where adults, youth and children can enjoy a full day around nature, culture and sports.
The reserve also promotes tourism and economic growth in the area.
Aviary
The aviary is filled with paths, lookouts, and suspension bridges. Along the pathways, visitors can encounter over 800 different types of birds. A mesh especially designed for the aviary allows the entry of bees and insects to encourage pollination.
The aviary is supported by pillars almost 98.4 feet high. The sanctuary introduces visitors to a small ecosystem inhabited by ducks, pheasants and wild life.
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Rafts
The rafts offer transportation across the dam. The daily schedules are posted at each dock. Starting from the Plaza la Virgen, the rafts transport visitors to the Humedal Giverny (Giverny Wetland), connecting both sides of the park. Departures take place from the docks in the Plaza Tricahue and the Humedal.
Quinchos
The quinchos are covered spaces where visitors enjoy a meal surrounded by the native flora. Each of the picnic areas is unique. The sites are equipped with a charcoal grill and can accommodate a maximum capacity of 25 persons.
MTB Circuit
Cycling fans can enjoy the biodiversity of the environment as they ride along the extensive cycling routes that cross the hills and streams of Parque Tricao.
The biking trails offer different levels of difficulty. Visitors can choose to challenge themselves along these trails or enjoy leisurely walk through the forests of the park.
This 30-kilometer circuit includes jumps and slopes. Cyclists wishing to participate must bring their helmet and a bike.
Humedales
The Humedal Giverny (Giverny Wetland) is inspired by the gardens of Giverny in France that Claude Monet portrayed in his artwork. This area invites relaxation and connection with nature.
Nursery Garden
The nursery garden includes a biodiversity of more than 18 thousand plants and flowers surrounding the entire place. The nursery is located right in front of the main entrance “Acceso Norte.”
About 350 different types of plants and flowers can be found in the Tricao Nursery, including Mediterranean flora, xerophytic plants, shadow plants, native plants, proteaceae, succulents and cacti, tropical plants and much more.
Kayaking
Kayaking offers a unique opportunity to explore the park from a different perspective, with the option of covering 14 hectares of the dam that gives life to the Park and its wide biodiversity.
Since its creation in 2006, the dam has been home to several bird species such as swans, ducks, herons and also fish becoming a natural reserve for the preservation of species.
Crossing the water via kayak offers a face-to-face experience with the fauna of the place. The non-motorized transport also helps to protect the habitat. The use of the kayaks and boats can be arranged according to availability.
Visitors looking for a break from their activities can pause at the park’s white sand beach. Playa Blanca is about 50 meters long and it is surrounded by the freshness and aroma of the native forest. Its pale sand and wooden awnings invite every Parque Tricao visitor to contemplate the landscape of the dam and enjoy the birds while resting along the shore.
Nicolás Vicuña, executive director of the Parque Tricao Foundation, invites everyone to visit the place:
“Come to see us and enjoy the park, because conservation must be taught and this is the best way we have to connect with nature. All of us who work here are aware of this…We try to transmit these values to care for the environment.”
The park offers specialized tours led by knowledgable guides.
Visit Parque Tricao
Avenida Las Brisas, 4,25 km Santo Domingo, Región de Valparaíso.
PARK HOURS:
Summer (November to March): 09:00 a.m – 19:00 p.m.
Winter (April to October): 09:00 a.m – 18:00 p.m.
Soledad Quartucci | Founder
Dr. Soledad Quartucci founded Latina Republic in 2015. The company envisions a world where Latin American countries are seen as partners, and immigrants and refugees don’t have to live in the shadows. Latina Republic is a digital content company that highlights local Latin American perspectives that don’t make it into mainstream news. We feature articles, interviews and reports on conservation efforts, social justice, governance, culture, and tourism. Latina Republic champions equity, diversity, and inclusion, delivering timely communications that prioritize local voices.
