The town of San José is located 52 km south east of Santiago at an altitude of 967 meters. To get there, drive up the valley on Camino El Volcán. The total area of municipality is 5,070 km2.

It was founded on July 16, 1792, by Ambrosio O’Higgins, with the name of Villa San José de Maipo, in honor of Saint Joseph. The municipal area offers recreation for lovers of mountaineering and hill-walking, photography and fishing, and it is a great place for a break for those who enjoy nature and clean air.

The whole valley is known as the Cajón del Maipo; it runs from Las Vizcachas, 25 km southeast of Santiago, right up to Lo Valdés, 93 km from the capital at an altitude of 2,000 meters.

You get there up Ruta G-25, and by bus from the Terminal San Borja, near the Estación Central.