21 Best Sights in The Central Coast, Chile

Algarrobo's prettiest beach is Playa El Canelo, located in a secluded cove south of town. It's actually two beaches in one, divided only by a small outcrop of rocks. The idyllic spot with fine yellow sand, calm blue-green water, and a backdrop of pines is blissfully quiet most of the year, but gets very crowded in January and February. From Algarrobo, follow Avenida Santa Teresita south to Avenida El Canelo and the pine forest of Parque Canelo, or from the main coastal road, take Bahía Mansa to Valle Verde. Because it's in a fairly tight cove, it's a great place for swimming, but other activities include boat rides, zip lines, body boarding, and walking the trails along the upper cliffs. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee). Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming.

Just north of the rock wall along Avenida Peru and flanked by the old Muelle Vergara is a stretch of sand that draws hordes of people from December through March. This is Viña del Mar's main beach, and it goes by many names the longer you walk: Acapulco, Blanca, Los Cañones, Marineros. It's great for swimming and people-watching as well as for exploring the artisan fair nearby. Amenities: food and drink; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; walking.

Just north of the Mantagua Wetlands, a long stretch of enormous dunes and golden sands hugs the coastline for 7 km (4 miles) up to the small hamlet of Ritoque. Much of this beautiful beach is too open for safe swimming, though ideal for strolling, sunbathing, fishing, and in some areas, surfing. Watch out for all-terrain vehicles and the occasional horse cruising along the more secluded sections. To swim, head to the small cove in front of Ritoque where there are restaurants, kiosks, and a hotel. Amenities: food and drink; parking. Best for: solitude; sunset; surfing; walking.

Zapallar's raison d'être is a crescent of golden sand kissed by blue-green waters, with a giant boulder plopped in the middle. Cropped at each end by rocky points and backed by large pines and rambling flower gardens, it's arguably the loveliest beach on the Central Coast. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming.

South of Algarrobo, El Quisco is a long beach of pale sand guarded on either end by stone jetties. In the middle of the beach is a boulder with a 15-foot-high, six-pronged cactus sculpture perched atop it. South of the beach is the blue-and-yellow cove, where boats anchored offshore create a picturesque composition. Easily reached by all forms of transportation, the beach is packed on sunny summer days, when tourists outnumber quisqueños (locals) about 10 to 1. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

In a somewhat secluded cove 14 km (9 miles) southwest of Valparaíso, Laguna Verde is a stunning and largely uncrowded stretch of yellow-sand coastline that's worth the visit if you have some time to spend. You can get there via a one-hour local bus ride or can rent a car for the half-hour trip. Better yet, rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle to be able to explore the surrounding area. It's rustic, but there are now a few restaurants, food trucks during the summer months, basic services, and cabins ranging from spartan to spectacular. Amenities: food and drink; free parking. Best for: solitude; sunset; walking.

Just north of town a white arch announces the tiny family-friendly Balneario Las Salinas beach area, a crescent of yellow sand that has the calmest water in the area. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

The light-gray sand of the long and narrow Playa Aguas Blancas lies to the south of a rock outcropping, protected from the swells, and consequently is decent for swimming (and fishing). A constant stiff breeze and the cliffs leading down to the beach also make it ideal for paragliding. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

One of Concón's most popular beaches, Playa Amarilla's yellow sand and relatively calm waters make it a favorite with families, many of whom own or rent apartments in the stair-stepped high-rise buildings across the street. The street-level promenade makes for a nice stroll and a beautiful spot to sit and watch people, or the sunset. There are plenty of options for eating, ranging from kiosk snacks to formal dining. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; toilets. Best for: sunsets; swimming.

One of Viña's most popular beaches, smack in the center of town, Playa Caleta Abarca's golden sands are crowded with sun worshippers in midsummer, making it a great place for people-watching. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards. Best for: swimming.

A small and attractive yellow-sand beach on the south end of town near where the fishermen bring in their daily catch, Playa Chica is well protected and safe for swimming. A promenade lined with tall palm trees runs between the beach and the road and provides a place for vendors to set up while strollers admire their goods as well as the beach. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

You'll have to do a bit of walking to reach the quiet Playa Durazno. It's an attractive, yellow-sand beach north of Playa Grande—past the condominiums—that's lined with pine trees and protected by a rocky barrier offshore. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; sunset.

This nice stretch of light-gray-sand beach on the northern end of town has the best of both worlds—the waves are big enough for light surfing, bodyboarding, and paddleboarding, but not big enough to be dangerous for swimmers. Lifeguards are on duty, beachgoers can rent lounge chairs and sun umbrellas, and beachside restaurants offer drinks and light meals. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; water sports. Best for: sunsets; surfing; swimming.

Papudo's most popular beach is Playa Grande, a wide swath of yellow sand that stretches northward from the Barco Rojo for more than a mile. It's now lined with modern high-rise apartment buildings to house the Santiaguinos who flee the city for long weekends and vacations. Amenities: food and drink; parking. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

The beige sand of this nice beach stretches northward from town for several miles. The surf is usually rough—though beautiful—and therefore not apt for swimming. It's a great place for a long walk on the beach, and you'll often see people fishing. Massive condominium complexes scattered along the beach spill hundreds of vacationers onto it every summer. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunset; walking.

Vacation apartments keep creeping closer to the beach, which gets its fair share of sun worshippers in summer. There are two ways to reach Playa Grande: through the town, following Avenida Teniente Merino, or through the gated community of Santa Augusta. Amenities: food; parking (fee); toilets. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

At the northern end of town is the sprawling gray-sand Playa La Boca, named for the boca (mouth) of the Aconcagua River, which flows into the Pacific here and sometimes makes the water murky. The long, regular curl to the waves makes it a favorite spot for paddleboarding and beginning surfers (there are numerous places to take lessons along the beach). The southern end has a large parking lot with prices that vary throughout the year, and the northern end has a children's park and horse and kayak rentals. There's a very long stretch of seafood restaurants in between. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: sunset; surfing; walking.

Toward the northern end of town, where the promenade that runs between the beach and the long row of waterfront properties ends, Playa Las Cadenas is a popular, smaller spot to spread a beach towel. The calm and relatively shallow water makes it a good place for swimming. The name, translated to "Chain Beach," refers to the thick metal links lining the sidewalk, which were recovered from a shipwreck off Algarrobo Bay. Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming.

Valparaíso's only true swim-worthy beach is set in a sheltered crescent of yellow sand west of the port. Although less attractive than other beaches up and down the coast, it's a fast and easy getaway from the busy port and does have very calm water. Amenities: food and drink; free parking. Best for: sunset; swimming.

The westernmost beach in Concón, the tiny Playa Los Lilenes is set in a yellow-sand cove with calm waters. It's good for swimming and family outings. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

The most popular beach in town is tiny Playa San Pedro; a statue of Saint Peter in the sand next to the wharf marks the spot. It's small, but the waters are surrounded by a rocky barrier that keeps them calm and good for swimming. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.