Where the skies speak secrets

Tucked in Chile’s Andes, San Clemente has earned the title of an unofficial UFO hub, attracting believers and curious travelers. Since the 1990s, sightings of glowing spheres and unusual events have fueled its mystique, leading to the creation of the official UFO Trail in 2008.

Tourists and ufologists continue to visit, drawn by legends, workshops, and the government-endorsed route. The town thrives as a destination where natural beauty and unexplained mysteries meet, keeping the unknown alive in Chile’s cultural and tourism landscape.

Introduction to San Clemente

San Clemente is a rural commune in central Chile’s Maule Region that is often described in the press as the unofficial ‘UFO capital of the world.’ Media reports say locals have reported strange lights and unidentified objects as frequently as about once per week, which has helped draw tourists and UFO enthusiasts.

Media and tourism sources reported more than a hundred sightings around San Clemente since about 1995. The area is internationally known for paranormal tourism, and an official UFO route was launched in 2008 and has been re-promoted in recent years.

Why UFO sightings happen here?

While high-elevation spots in the nearby Andes can offer dark skies, Chile’s exceptionally dark, clear conditions are concentrated in the Atacama far to the north. San Clemente itself sits at low elevation with a Mediterranean climate, so night-sky conditions vary seasonally.

Chile’s major observatories are located far to the north (Atacama/Coquimbo). San Clemente is nonetheless promoted by tourism authorities and media as a UFO ‘hot zone’, blending reported sightings with local lore.

The official UFO trail

In 2008, the Municipality of San Clemente, with SERNATUR (Chile’s National Tourism Service) support, launched an official UFO route ~30 km long that links reported-sighting hotspots through the Andean foothills.

The route was announced with detailed signage and access to restaurants, camping, hostels, and cabins along the way; local authorities have promoted it via events and publicity to attract visitors.

An Alien landing pad?

One highlight is El Enladrillado, a high-Andean natural platform where hundreds of rectangular volcanic slabs form a striking, tile-like surface. Local lore often frames it as a putative UFO landing area.

El Enladrillado sits at ~2,200 m and typically requires hours of trekking (or horseback) to reach. Geologically, it’s a natural volcanic rock platform, though its appearance fuels UFO-related speculation.

Historical sightings from the 1990s

Reports began rising in the mid‑1990s in San Clemente, including glowing spheres and strange lights seen over forests and lakes. UFologists estimated about one UFO sighting per week in that period, reported by locals and visitors.

These early accounts gained media attention and prompted investigation by official bodies. The steady cadence of sightings built the town’s reputation as a UFO hotspot.

CEFAA investigations

Chile’s CEFAA (now SEFAA), established in 1997 under the DGAC, investigates aerial anomalies scientifically. The agency logs reports, yet no public confirmation exists that San Clemente cases were conclusively adjudicated with meteorological or aircraft explanations definitively ruled out.

Still, many sightings remain unexplained and open for further study. CEFAA’s involvement lends credibility and structure to local and national interests.

Colbún lake phenomena

Colbún Lake in the region is considered a frequent site of UFO activity. Witnesses describe glowing spheres launching from the water and disappearing into wooded areas.

The lake’s high mineral content has earned speculation that it may generate or attract unexplained energy phenomena. Visitors often include it as a key stop on the UFO trail itinerary.

Other hot zones nearby

In Cajón del Maipo, one notable 1997 incident involved lights over a lagoon and a craft with tall beings, as reported by Claudio Pastén. Claims about Elqui Valley registering UFO reports or mysterious crashes in 2013 are not substantiated by the sourced materials.

The Elqui Valley is associated with spiritual tourism and reports of mysterious objects crashing in 2013. These zones strengthen the region’s broader reputation for paranormal activity.

The “Chilean Roswell” event

Multiple reputable outlets, including Matador Network, Latin American Post, and Chile. travel, report that in 1998, witnesses described a UFO crashing near Las Mollacas Hill, with claims that the Chilean army investigated and that envoys from NASA became involved.

Though formal documentation of the event is lacking, the story endures as a significant local legend and contributes to Chile’s broader UFO narrative.

2018 triangular lights over Antofagasta

In May 2018, six pilots flying commercial flights over Antofagasta simultaneously observed three triangular light sources. The audio recordings and sighting reports sparked national media coverage.

CEFAA suggested possible military or maritime explanations, but many pilots said they had never seen anything like it. The case remained cited as one of Chile’s most credible UFO events.

Ongoing sightings in 2024 and 2025

Even as recently as late 2024 and early 2025, Reddit users and local news continued reporting flashes and unexplained aerial sightings near the Atacama Desert. One post from January 2025 described UAPs in the Atacama region that drew online attention.

The continued chatter shows that UFO activity is still trending and engaging new generations. San Clemente remains central to these ongoing stories.

Astronomy and UFOs coexist

The Atacama Desert is home to world-class observatories like ALMA and VLT that study the cosmos. The same clear skies that benefit astronomers also make spotting unexplained lights easier.

While dark-sky efforts in the Atacama primarily support astronomy and conservation, there is no documented evidence that such initiatives were designed to support UFO tourism as well.

Tourism trends and local economy

UFO tourism has recently been revived, with signage and tourism infrastructure re-established. Local entrepreneurs and authorities collaborated on guided ventures and workshops, and prototypes of UFO‑themed souvenirs were offered (e.g., stickers, key‑chains, backpacks).

Regional authorities, including SENATUR and local government, supported the route’s revival through signage and workshops. The framing blends ufological interest with visitor experience, though not explicitly scientific. Hopes exist for tourism benefits, though no quantitative evidence yet confirms economic or social thriving.

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Visitor experiences today

Tourists and locals recount sightings of unexplained lights and stories, and visitors do trek to Enladrillado. However, there is no documented evidence regarding visits specifically at sunset/night or the use of thermal or infrared equipment on such tours.

Others come mainly to enjoy the stark beauty of the Andes and the desert. The mix of nature and mystery makes each visit unique.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.