[3] As a commune, Coyhaique is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years.

The commune is represented in the Senate by Antonio Horvath Kiss (RN) and Patricio Walker Prieto (PDC) as part of the 18th senatorial constituency (Aysén Region).

The town square is laid out in the shape of a pentagon in honor of the Carabineros, the national police force.

LAN has three daily flights from Santiago to Balmaceda Airport, located 40 km (25 mi) from Coyhaique.

[12] This is mostly due to wood smoke from fires the residents light for warmth in the winter months of June and July.

In May 2016, the Chilean government also declared Coyhaique “saturated” by harmful fine particles (PM2.5) which are linked to cardiopulmonary diseases and lung cancer.