Puente Alto is a large city and municipality on the southeastern edge of Greater Santiago, home to over 600,000 people and widely regarded as Chile’s most populous commune. Originally a rural settlement on the Maipo River plain, it grew rapidly in the 20th century as Santiago expanded, and today it’s best known as a gateway to the Andes and the Cajón del Maipo valley—one of the capital region’s classic day-trip areas for mountain scenery, hot springs and hiking. The modern city centre is busy and practical rather than touristy, with malls, markets and local restaurants, while the foothills and riverside areas pull visitors looking to get out of the urban sprawl. Getting around is straightforward via Santiago Metro Line 4 and local buses, with quick road access east toward San José de Maipo and the mountain routes.
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