The city of Los Angeles is located in beautiful central valley does not exceed 150 meters above sea level.

It lies between Laja (north) and Biobio (south) rivers, which is why during the colonial era the place was known as "Laja island".

It has a mild climate for establishment of man. Agriculture and forestry are two biggest industries, which provide raw materials and inputs for pulp mills were established there.

Located 514 km south of Santiago and 560 kilometers north of Puerto Montt, the city has a population of about 150 000 inhabitants and has the largest supply of cultural services, tourism and trade in the area. It has a wide range of hotels, restaurants and services that make it a protagonist.

Los Angeles born on banks of Biobio river, where for three centuries were Hispanic and Indian cultures. Some remains and heritage can be seen at local museum named de la Alta Frontera.

Taking it as an operations center, from city can take walks and tours to different tourist spots. Among them are Laja waterfalls, Nahuelbuta National Park (araucaria reserve closest to the Pacific Ocean), Los Andes, Laja National Park and beautiful surroundings of Antuco volcano.

Los Angeles is the indicated city to approach activities such as fishing, skiing, horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, adventure sports and photography, in addition to the historical and cultural events offered to visitors.

How to get there

By Bus. Service Bus to Nahuelbuta National Park from Los Angeles, Temuco and Lonquimay. Also from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara-Ralco.

By Car. To Ralco: from Santiago, on 5 sur route to Los Angeles (514 km). Take the road linking the city with Santa Barbara town (39 km) and then 48 km to the National Reserve.

To Alto Biobio: from Santiago, on 5 sur route to Temuco (676 km). Take northeast way to Lonquimay (151 km) and then 42 km to reserve.

To Laja falls: from Santiago is located at 480 Km on 5 sur route, 125 km east of Concepcion and 30 miles north of Los Angeles by the same 5 sur route.

Activities and Attractions

Ralco and Alto Bio Bio national reserves are ideal for travelers who want to know mountain area native flora and fauna, as well as active volcanoes, and other attractions.

Ralco National Reserve are various routes and trekking tours for hikers. These includes Quillaicahue path to Loncotahue waterfall, which takes about six hours following the course of Ralco river through lush forests. Especially beautiful are the "water eyes", mighty streams slopes that appear through mountains and give life to Ralco river, a great place for fly fishing.

Another path is rising up from Quillaicahue to Callaqui volcano, in eight hours can enjoy ancient forests of araucarias and lengas, also is home for Pehuenche families.

Further south is Alto Biobio National Reserve, 40 thousand hectares in the heart of Araucania, home pudues, foxes, pumas, guanacos, condors, hawks, eagles and snakes, make it ideal for a flora and fauna watching and photography.

Laja falls are composed of four spectacular waterfalls, 20 to 35 m in height. These were formed by water erosion that sculpting the rock and giving form to what we know today as Laja Waterfalls.

Upstream from falls, Laja river is calm, shallow and can be easily forded. Downstream is reduced to a 4 km deep and narrow canyon. From there travels another 29 kilometers to become one of Biobio river tributaries.

Surrounding landscape is represented by a natural environment dominated by native vegetation with sclerophyll species such as boldo and quillay and xerophytic such as espino, which finds its southern limit distribution.