At the mouth of its namesake river, Puerto Cisnes (population 2,507) owes its origins to a 1920s lumber mill but still serves as a key port for scattered fishing hamlets in and around Canal Puyuhuapi; rarely visited Parque Nacional Isla Magdalena is just across the water to the west.

Construction of a link to the Carretera Austral has partially reoriented the town inland, and in recent years the economy has diversified with salmon farming and tourism (primarily fly-fishing).

One of Aisén’s architectural oddities is the Biblioteca Pública Genaro Godoy, a wooden structure with hexagonal neoclassical columns and a pediment with bas reliefs of figures from Greek mythology.

Visitors can hire a launch to the 157,616-hectare Parque Nacional Isla Magdalena, occupying most of its namesake island and several smaller islands, but it costs around US$200 (a bit less with skilful negotiations). Contact Alberto Miranda (tel. 067/346752), Raúl Rogel Vargas (Gabriela Mistral 165, tel. 067/346600), or Héctor Parra (Dr. Steffens 212, tel. 067/346548).