From Bahia’s barefoot chic to Colombia’s offbeat Caribbean isles, South America’s beaches are as eclectic as they are seductive.
Privacy, party, or pristine wilderness – the continent’s coastlines deliver all three. The epicurean might head to Jose Ignacio or Trancoso; the island hopper to Colombia; the wave chaser to Chile.
We’ve selflessly committed serious time to seeking out the dreamiest spots – from free-spirited surf towns to fishing villages reinvented by some of South America’s most interesting artists, chefs and makers. Here go a few of our favourites for those who prefer their travels barefoot.
1. Trancoso, Brazil
Located in a small bay bordered by tropical rainforest, breezy Trancoso is a firm favourite. At the heart of the village lies the grassy Quadrado, bordered by playfully-painted boutiques and restaurants, with a tiny whitewashed chapel looking out to sea from the far end. On weekends, local children play football here; after dark, the square comes alive with lanterns and music.
Beyond the chapel, a sandy path leads through mangroves to fifteen miles of immaculate beach and clear, glassy waters. For those who like to be kept busy, there’s surfing, horse riding, kayaking, kitesurfing or even a capoeira class; for everyone else, hammocks, coconuts and caipirinhas do the trick.
Getting there: Fly to Porto Seguro from Rio or São Paulo, then continue for 90 minutes by road.
Where to stay: The super-cool UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa, a collection of restored fishermen’s cottages and villas on the Quadrado that has become a destination in itself – or their newest beachfront outpost, UXUA Maré.
Also worth visiting: Boipeba, a tiny Bahian island with a smattering of restaurants and mangaba-fringed shores; stay at the lovely Casa Araça Azul. Or Paraty, a colonial port town on the Costa Verde, where cobbled streets and whitewashed houses house some of Brazil’s most interesting studios and ateliers.
2. Providencia Island, Colombia
It takes some getting to, but Providencia Island is a wonderfully offbeat Caribbean experience for those willing to make the pilgrimage. By a twist of geopolitical fate, the island lies off Nicaragua, yet pertains to Colombia. Cut off from the mainland, it developed its own Afro-Caribbean identity: Creole English is the first language, and reggae drifts from its beach shacks in place of salsa or cumbia.
Locals have resisted airports and resorts, leaving just a handful of small-scale guesthouses. There’s excellent diving, cool beach bars, and even some late afternoon horse racing along the beach.
Getting there: Fly north to San Andres from Cartagena or Bogota, before connecting with a 20-seater plane (20 minutes) or a catamaran shuttle (3 hours). It’s not quick, but there’ll be a hammock and an ice-cold Club Colombia waiting for you at the other end.
Where to stay: We like Monasterio del Viento, a whitewashed four-bedroom villa right on the water, with breezy verandas and plenty of Caribbean character. There aren’t any out-and-out luxury stays here, but neighbouring Deep Blue is the island’s most comfortable address.
3. La Pedrera, Uruguay
On Uruguay’s Rocha coast, La Pedrera is as laid-back as they come. A 30-mile stretch of beach is interrupted only by the odd rocky outcrop, long coastal grasses, and the occasional lifeguard hut. Sandy lanes lead to a buzzy little town with a cluster of low houses, a bakery, a couple of restaurants and some low-key nightlife.
While its year-round population barely clears 200, each January and February it swells by two or three thousand as Argentines and Brazilians descend for Carnival, live music and late nights.
Getting there: About 2.5 hours east of Montevideo by road, or just over an hour from Punta del Este.
Where to stay: Take a beach house for a week, or bed down at the funky Brisas de La Pedrera.
Also worth visiting: Cabo Polonio, a remote bohemian outpost reached only on foot or by 4×4, with just a smattering of ranchos and no electricity or running water. At the other end of the spectrum is José Ignacio, Uruguay’s smartest beach town, the summer playground of polo players and Latin America’s A-list.
4. Zapallar, Chile
The coastline that inspired Pablo Neruda, Chile’s Pacific waters are famously nippy, but its beaches are pristine and offer some of the freshest seafood on the planet.
Zapallar is our pick of the bunch: a small bay north of Valparaíso, with steep hillsides dotted with extraordinary private villas and gardens. For generations, it’s been the summer address of Santiago’s old families, who come for its beaches and long lunches of machas a la parmesana.
Getting there: A 1.5–2 hour drive north of Santiago.
Where to stay: We have some gorgeous private villas around the bay, many hidden in the hills above the beach.
Also worth visiting: Pichilemu, a former fishing hamlet now Chile’s unofficial surf capital, with a laid-back crowd of surfers and artists. Punta de Lobos is the main draw, a headland with world-class waves and more than 300 surfable days a year. Stay at Hotel Alaia, right on the coast.
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South America’s coastlines are as varied as the continent itself – but knowing where to go, and when, makes all the difference. PSA’s little black book of villas, hotels and insider contacts keeps you away from the crowds and close to the character of each place. Speak to our specialists about shaping your own South American beach escape.
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