6 Beaches in Chile that should be on your radar
21.07.2023 - 08:03
/ roughguides.com
When it comes to beach destinations, Chile might not instantly spring to mind. But this long, skinny country has a coastline that stretches for more than 4,270 kilometres. And along this impressive length of Pacific Ocean shore, there's no end of visit-worthy stretches of sand. Read on for our pick of the best beaches in Chile.
This northern nature reserve straddles the border of Antofagasta and the Atacama desertand features no less than 100,000 acres of beach. Four campsites offer the incredible experience of sleeping under the stars on impeccably white sand which is reason enough to place it high on your bucket list of beaches in Chile. Spread over more than 400 square kilometres, the park is home to a wealth of wildlife. Prepare to see guanacos (wild cousins of llama), foxes, otters and pelicans. Take a boat trip from the fishing village of La Caleta around the Isla Pan de Azúcar to see hundreds of Humboldt penguins.
An aerial view over the coastline of the Pan de Azúcar National Park © Elisa Locci/Shutterstock
Viña del Mar is one of the most upscale beach resorts in Chile. What's more, it has some of the best beaches in Chile near Santiago. This is where wealthy Santiaguinos come to relax. The main beaches are Playa las Salinas and Playa Reñaca. Playa las Salinas is a good choice for beach-goers with children. The beach is protected from the wind and strong currents by rocky headlands. While the waters are a bit rougher, you'll find more of a buzz at Playa Reñaca. Backed by exclusive apartment buildings, there's more than a touch of glamour to the cafes and boutiques on its promenade. Try to visit in February (that's high summer in this corner of the world) to catch the city's International Song Festival. This popular event is the longest-running music festival in the whole of Latin America.
A quiet morning at the beach in Viña del Mar © Nataliya Hora/Shutterstock
While the majority of the coastline around the mystical and remote Easter Island is rocky, Playa Anakena is all soft white coral sands. Its calm waters make for ideal swimming conditions. Remember to bring a bathing suit, or you'll regret it! Framed by swaying coconut palms, it's hard to imagine a more beautiful setting for the island's iconic moai statues, the enigmatic figures carved by the Rapa Nui people. What's more, with traces of human settlement dating from as early as 1200 CE, Anakena is thought to be the oldest inhabited place on the island. More modern signs of life include a handy car park right at the entrance of the beach. You'll also find small kitchens serving local specialities such as tuna empanadas and po’e, a traditional dish made with pumpkin and flour.
Easter Island's iconic Seven Moai behind paddlers and loungers on