Stretching out a long way along the western edge of South America, Chile is a particularly unique country due to its long and narrow form. The borders and shape of Chile ensure that no matter where you happen to be in this country, you're never too far from the coast, and the majority of Chilean people live within very short distances of the Pacific Ocean. The length of the country, however, means that the climate and conditions can vary greatly as one moves north or south through Chile, with the northern sections of the country having some of the driest weather on Earth, while the central region exhibits more of a Mediterranean climate and the southern parts of Chile can have alpine weather conditions.
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All of these unique aspects make Chile a fascinating place to visit. The country is known for its diverse landscapes and rich range of flora and fauna, but one of Chile's biggest advantages for travelers and tourists is its beaches. Naturally, with such a lengthy coastline, Chile has a long list of beaches for people to enjoy, ranging wildly from postcard-style white sand locations to rockier, rugged areas. One of the best things about Chile's beaches is that this country hasn't been as strongly affected by tourism as some of its South American siblings. You'll find some Chilean beaches with hotels and resorts, but many of these locations are just as pristine and pure as they were a century ago.
Best Beaches in Chile
With over 2,600 miles of coastline in total, listing all of Chile's beaches would take a very long time. Therefore, in order to help you narrow down your search and find the best beaches to check out on your Chile vacation, we've put together some this useful Chile beach guide. Read on to learn all about the best beaches in the country and choose which one you’d love to visit first.
- Bahía Inglesa
If you're looking for a Caribbean-style beach with shimmering white sands and shallow warm waters, Bahía Inglesa is the one to visit in Chile. Lots of different activities can be enjoyed here, from simple sunbathing to thrilling watersports like windsurfing. Sailing, kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling are also on the list of things to do on this stunning Chile beach, and there are some fascinating rock formations to check out and climb around as well. This beach is situated quite far north in Chile, resulting in very warm temperatures and lots of sunshine.
- Pan de Azucar
Part of the Pan de Azucar National Park, which is a wonderful place to visit if you're a wildlife lover or nature enthusiasts, Pan de Azucar is one of those beaches that really takes your breath away. As soon as you get a glimpse of this Chile beach and step out onto its soft sands, you'll have to just pause to take in the scenery. Mountains, villages, and vegetation can be admired all around and the sands are so soft and welcoming. The waters are excellent here too, providing prime conditions for a little snorkeling or swimming.
- Playa La Virgen
This interestingly named beach took its moniker from a unique rock formation that allegedly bears a resemblance to the Virgin Mary. It's a gorgeous beach offering just the right combination of sand and sea for all kinds of activities. The sands here are very soft and almost sugar-like in consistency, while the waves come in all shades of blue and green as they wash up on the shore. As with many other Chilean beaches, Playa La Virgen provides some jaw-dropping views in every single direction and you'll just want to sit and admire the scenery when you arrive at this little piece of paradise.
- Caleta Cóndor Beach
One of the biggest benefits of visiting Chile's beaches are that they are mostly untouched by man, and nowhere is this more evident than at Caleta Cóndor Beach. Located in the Hulliche area, this beach barely gets any visitors, which is almost unbelievable because it might just be one of the prettiest little places on Earth! With silky smooth sands and turquoise waters, all surrounding by towering hills covered in lush vegetation, Caleta Cóndor Beach provides a picture-perfect location for lovers, families, friends, or solo travelers looking for a secluded spot to free their minds and soak up some sun.
- Playa Chorrillos
A far cry from some of the white sand resort areas of Chile's extensive coastline, Playa Chorrillos is quite a rocky and rugged region, dominated by large cliffs and stunning volcanic scenery. This beach is all about the views. You can climb around the different rocks and cliffs to take some incredible photographs, and actually getting down to the sand is quite tricky, so this is one of the least populated of Chile's beaches, perfect for romantic getaways.
- Punta de Choros
If you're an animal lover and want to see some wildlife roaming around in its natural habitat, Punta de Choros is a good place to start. This beach can be found near La Serena and is conveniently located right by the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve. A few little islands can be spotted from the shoreline and this is widely-regarded as one of the best beaches in all of South America for scuba diving and wildlife spotting, with the local conditions providing the perfect setting for marine life to thrive.
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