Eat Well & Rest Easy

Eat Well & Rest Easy

Dining is one of the great pleasures of visiting the Central Coast. It's not rare to see fishermen bringing the day's catch straight to the restaurants that inevitably line the shore. Your server will be happy to share with you which fish were caught fresh that day. Try corvina a la margarita (sea-bass in shellfish sauce) or ostiones a la parmesana (clams served with melted Parmesan cheese). The more daring can also try a batch of raw shellfish bought direct from the fishermen and served with a dash of lemon. With the exception of major holidays, reservations are almost never required for restaurants here. Most restaurants close between lunch and dinner: from 3 or 4 to 7 or 8.

Because the central beach resorts were developed by and for the Santiago families who summer here, they are dominated by vacation homes and apartments, although new, often upmarket, hotels have been built especially around Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Reñaca, and Concón. Cabañas, somewhat rustic cabins with a kitchenette and one or more bedrooms, are designed to accommodate families on tighter budgets. An even more affordable option is a residencial (guesthouse), often just a few rooms for rent in a private home.