A quiet, polished beach town on Chile's central coast where elegant houses climb the hills above a protected cove, and the seafood arrives straight from the boat.
Zapallar is the Chilean beach town you don't stumble onto by accident. About two hours north of Santiago, the road winds down through pine-covered hills and suddenly opens onto a perfect crescent of sand, a small harbor, and houses that look like they've been there forever.
The beach is the main event — calm enough to swim, with clear water and a gentle arc of sand. We spent a morning doing exactly that, then walked up to one of the little restaurants right off the beach for lunch. The seafood was absurdly fresh — ceviche, grilled fish, whatever came in that morning — served simply and eaten slowly.
It's an easy add-on to a Chile itinerary: a few nights between Santiago and the wine country, or a relaxed coastal counterbalance after Patagonia. The pace is slow, the houses are beautiful, and the whole place feels like a well-kept secret.
Trip highlights
- Swimming in the calm, clear cove at Playa Zapallar
- Fresh ceviche and grilled fish at beachfront restaurants
- Elegant hillside houses and quiet coastal architecture
- Easy drive from Santiago and the Casablanca Valley wineries
- A relaxed coastal stop before or after Patagonia
Signature experiences
Beachfront seafood lunch
The little restaurants just off the sand are the move here. Order what came in that morning — ceviche, grilled corvina, a cold beer — and take your time.