A LUXURY VACATION TO VALPARAÍSO & ZAPALLAR
Chile’s central Pacific coast is home to technicolour port cities and quiet fishing villages, cobbled alleys lined with street art, and clifftop villas overlooking the sea – all within two hours of Santiago.
The pretty beach town of Zapallar centres around one of our absolute favourite beaches in Chile. The atmosphere here is quietly refined and family-orientated, with Chileans making up 90% of its visitors; it’s a favourite retreat for well-heeled Santiago residents escaping the capital. Holiday homes dot the hillside – old and grand, sleek, and modern, chic and boho – and we have the keys to some of the best.
To the south, through the orchards and vineyards of the Casablanca Valley, Valparaíso spills across the hillside – a UNESCO World Heritage Site dotted with brightly painted houses and crumbling 19th-century mansions. Once a playground for European immigrants, it’s now home to a seriously bohemian crowd.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN VALPARAÍSO & ZAPALLAR
Between the elegance of Zapallar and the electrifying energy of Valparaíso, the Pacific coast offers two very different takes on Chilean coastal life.
In Zapallar, days might be spent climbing to the top of Cerro La Cruz for breathtaking views, hiking along the coast to neighbouring Cachagua, or setting out on horseback. Architecture is part of the pleasure, from early 20th-century villas to bold contemporary homes designed to disappear into the hills, best contemplated from the Ramblas – a two-mile stone walkway hugging the coast.
We can arrange kayaks to explore the coastline or a private fishing boat out to a nearby island reserve, home to a protected colony of sea lions. On slower days, kick back on the beach or cool off in the sea – though be warned, the Pacific Ocean is very fresh!
The port city of Valparaíso moves to a livelier beat. Navigate its labyrinthine hillside barrios on foot with a local guide, stopping at artists’ studios, private galleries, and some of the best street art in South America. Hop aboard a vintage funicular for views across the port, or make a detour to the village of nearby Isla Negra, where Pablo Neruda’s ship-shaped home offers a glimpse into the poet’s life and eccentricities.
ELSEWHERE IN CHILE
Chile captivates with its dramatic landscapes, from the arid Atacama Desert to the majestic peaks of Torres del Paine and the glacial waters of the Lake District.
It’s a land of striking contrasts, where ancient traditions sit alongside a dynamic, contemporary culture – and we’ve spent years exploring its every corner. From the mysterious Moai of Easter Island and the vineyards of the Central Valley, we can open doors to places and people few travellers ever encounter. Chile is vast, complex, and deeply rewarding – and we know how to make it yours.
CONTACT US
Get in touch to start planning your trip to Chile’s Pacific Coast.
Conde Nast Traveler Specialists every year since 2017
Field Notes
