San Antonio Shore Excursion: Río Maipo Wetland and Hacienda San Juan Winery

Your guide and driver meet you at the San Antonio cruise terminal and drive to the Río Maipo Wetland, near the mouth of the Maipo River.

The wetland sits where the Maipo River meets the Pacific Ocean, and it is one of the best birdwatching sites on the central coast of Chile: an important habitat for resident and migratory birds, with more than 190 species recorded in the area.
A network of wooden boardwalks crosses the park, with observation platforms, benches and bird hides along the way. The walk passes through reed beds, open water and dunes before reaching the estuary and the Pacific shoreline.
Morning is usually the best time to be here. The birds are more active and the temperature is easier than under the midday sun.
You do not need to be an experienced birdwatcher to enjoy it. The walk is flat and unhurried, with good opportunities for photography and wide views over the wetland and the coast.

From the wetland you continue inland to Hacienda San Juan, a small family winery in the San Antonio Valley.

Hacienda San Juan lies about 5 km from the Pacific, in the San Antonio Valley. The cool coastal air and the steady sea breeze suit varieties such as Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay, and the vineyard is small and worked on organic and biodynamic principles.
You walk through the vineyard and the old park before the tasting. The estate has a history of its own: it is linked to the family of José Manuel Balmaceda, President of Chile from 1886 to 1891, and parts of the old property survive, including the adobe bell tower of the former chapel.
The park was laid out in the late 19th century by the French landscape architect Guillermo Renner, who worked on several parks and gardens in Chile. Among the trees is an old cork oak, rarely seen in this country.
The wine tasting covers the estate's cool-climate wines, produced in small quantities. What makes the visit different is that the owner receives guests personally and talks about the property and the wines himself.

After the tasting you return to the San Antonio cruise terminal. The full tour takes about five hours, and departure and return times are adjusted to your ship's schedule.

Your guide and driver meet you at the San Antonio cruise terminal and drive to the Río Maipo Wetland, near the mouth of the Maipo River.

The wetland sits where the Maipo River meets the Pacific Ocean, and it is one of the best birdwatching sites on the central coast of Chile: an important habitat for resident and migratory birds, with more than 190 species recorded in the area.
A network of wooden boardwalks crosses the park, with observation platforms, benches and bird hides along the way. The walk passes through reed beds, open water and dunes before reaching the estuary and the Pacific shoreline.
The walk is flat and unhurried, with good opportunities for photography and wide views over the wetland and the coast.

From the wetland you continue inland to Hacienda San Juan, a small family winery in the San Antonio Valley.

Hacienda San Juan lies about 5 km from the Pacific, in the San Antonio Valley, where the cool coastal air suits Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay. The vineyard is small and worked on organic and biodynamic principles.
You walk through the vineyard and the historic park, hear the story of the estate and its link to the family of President José Manuel Balmaceda, and then join a wine tasting of the estate's cool-climate wines, hosted by the owner, who receives guests personally.

After the tasting you stay at the estate for a traditional Chilean lunch or asado, served with its own wines.
This version gives you more time at the winery and in the park without adding another major stop to the day.

If the schedule allows, we can add a short stop at Puntilla Santa Isabel in Rocas de Santo Domingo, a viewpoint over the Pacific, the Maipo estuary and the coastline.
This stop depends on your ship's schedule and the time left before returning to port.

After lunch you return to the San Antonio cruise terminal. This version of the tour takes about seven hours, and departure and return times are adjusted to your ship's schedule.