Not only landscapes in Patagonia: In Chile there are also many beautiful beaches to discover. El Laucho and La Lisera, Bahia Inglesa and others.

It's the longest country in the world. At 4,300 kilometres long, it borders Peru to the north, Bolivia and Argentina to the east, and the Drake Strait to the south. It encompasses the island territories in the Pacific Ocean of the Juan Fernandez Islands, Sala y Gomez, Desventuradas, Easter Island and holds sovereignty over a portion of Antarctica. We are obviously talking about Chile, one of the richest countries in Latin America, a destination every year for tourists and travellers who want to breathe the story of one of the oldest and most fascinating places on the American continent.

With its 4,300 kilometres of coastline, it is full of beaches that differ greatly from each other. The variety of landscapes that Chile offers is one of the most varied in the world: white and sandy expanses, cliffs and rocks overlooking the sea, or skyscrapers that dominate the ocean.

So in the North, which is hot and has little rain, there are few plants and animals and it is not uncommon to see the desert descending straight down to the sea. In the central area, on the other hand, the climate is hot and dry, and green predominates. For this reason, lush hills rise behind the beaches and the greenery joins the beauty of the turquoise sea.

In the south of Chile the vegetation is more lush and always remains green. Forests, lakes and volcanoes appear in the landscape. There are rivers, islands, archipelagos, canals and fjords, plus a wide variety of trees that form beautiful forests where larch, araucaria, coigue and manio grow. There are also many animals such as huemuls, cougars and tricahue parrots.

Still doubting which country to visit for your next holidays?
In Chile there is no line to follow, there is no way to describe it: you have to live it, observe it and be kidnapped by what is called the "country of three continents". Given its extent, it is full of beaches to visit.

Here are the most beautiful, the ones that cannot be missed:

• El Laucho
• La Lisera
• Cavancha
• Bahia Inglesa
• La Virgen
• Punta Choros
• Totoralillo
• Anakena
• Renaca
• Cole Cole
• Puerto Cisnes
• Caldera
• Quintay
• Isla Damas
• Ancud
• Parque Mapu Lahual
• Chorrillos
• Zapatilla
• Arauco
• Las Tacas
• Acapulco
• Zapallar
• Buchupureo
• Dichato
• La Isla Mocha

 

El Laucho is a beach that is located two kilometres south of Arica, within a cove and in the middle of the desert. The waves are very high, so it's a favourite place for those who love water sports, but the wave breakers in the middle of the sea make it a beach that is also suitable for families with children. In El Laucho you can rent parasols and deckchairs, as well as enjoy the services of the many bars overlooking right on the beach. And if you want to have a chance to swim in the middle of the desert, here it is.

 

They are two worlds that meet: the crystal clear sea and the mountains of the desert. But what seems like a fairytale landscape, is actually reality at La Lisera beach: this beach, located near Arica, stands right in front of the desert. And it's been turned into one of the most enjoyable playgrounds for those with kids. Featuring slides, swings, and everything to allow little ones spend a wonderful day, it's clearly the family beach par excellence. 

It's one of the busiest of Iquique's beaches, as well as the most popular. More than Chile, it feels like Miami, with skyscrapers looking onto the sea and surfers riding the waves. Here the currents and the wind are very strong, and it is one of the reasons why it is the favourite destination of those who love water sports. It is also equipped with a playground for children. The beach at Cavancha is also illuminated in the evening, so that those who want to take a romantic walk with the only sound of the Pacific Ocean can do so without problems.

If you want white sand and blue sea, Bahia Inglesa is right for you. The colour of the ocean is almost unnatural on this beach, very popular with travellers who love to spend their days at the seaside. Many compare it to a tropical island, others liken it to heaven on earth. The beach is not equipped, so it is advisable to organise in advance with deckchairs and umbrellas, but it is worth a bit of 'discomfort' for enjoy this wonderful oase.

At La Virgen beach, the colour gradation of the sea leaves you breathless. You go from the white foam of the waves, to the ice, to the turquoise then deep blue water in a few metres.

Can you imagine a more beautiful landscape? La Virgen is not an easy beach to get to, but the trip is absolutely worth it. It is a cove with white sand equipped with bars, restaurants, and toilets. No photo – however beautiful it is – can ever do justice to this earthly paradise. 

From this magnificent beach you can catch a ferry to visit the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve. These are three islands, one of which - Isla Choros - is not open because it is a protected site. During the excursion you can see several animal species: the Humboldt penguin, the sea lion, the otter, the dolphin, plus many waterfowl and wild animals. It is not difficult to spot them, especially since thousands of these specimens live in this part of the Pacific Ocean.

It is one of Chile's most beautiful beaches: the main feature of Totoralillo is that it is divided into two parts. One more suitable for those who want to surf, the other for those who want to enjoy sun and sea with a drink and a lot of relaxation. The Caribbean Sea, a fine, white beach, is often very crowded. But that doesn't stop people from pouring onto this stretch of coast every day.

If you close your eyes and think of heaven, Anakena will come to mind. This is the main beach on Easter Island: fine coral sand, turquoise sea, calm waves and coconut palms brought from Tahiti years ago, is the ideal place for those who want to relax and immerse themselves in nature. One of its main features is being able to bathe any time of the year: its waters, in fact, rarely drop below twenty degrees of temperature. Unlike what you might think, it is not very popular: despite being famous, visitors are few, especially in the early hours of the morning.

A beach equipped for fitness lovers, with very fine sand and fairly calm sea. Renaca is one of Chile's most popular and popular beaches, famous for its pelicans and sea lions that you can spot in that area. This beach, located in Vina del Mar, one of Chile's most visited cities, is especially popular with young tourism that wants to combine fun with nature.

 

It is said that there is a beach in Chiloé National Park that is so beautiful it doesn't look real. Here the water is turquoise, and the beach is surrounded by a jungle: no, we are not in a film, but at Cole Cole beach, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Chile.

Also called "the hidden beach", it is not the destination of many visitors because it is not easy to reach. You get there by walking on a small black earth path surrounded by evergreen and climbing trees: the same path for getting to Cole Cole is an exciting experience, because you have to go through the jungle and you have the chance to see animal species that are characteristic in that area of Chile.

With a population of about 2,500, Cisnes is located in the bay of the Puyuhuapi Canal, opposite the beautiful Isla Magdalena National Park. Surrounded by a unique natural environment, this fishing village is perfect for those looking for contact with nature and wanting an original experience away from the mass tourism that crowds some Chile resorts.

The San Luis and Dos Lagunas trails are a must: the latter in particular ends at 300 metres above sea level, with a vantage point from which you can observe the whole city. Puerto Cisnes is located at the foot of St Gilberto's Hill, on the banks of the Puyuhuapi Canal, 200 kilometres from the town of Coyhaique. It is the perfect destination for people who love fishing, not to mention the local crafts based mainly on the processing of fish skin, a true flagship of Cisnes.

 

White sand, turquoise sea: Caldera is so beautiful it takes your breath away. Here you can relax with the sound of the waves of the sea – calm and turquoise in colour – and stay comfortable on the fine, white sand that characterises this beautiful beach.

Quintay can be divided into two parts: the north side, with a white sandy beach stretching for about a kilometre, and the south side, with its rocky, steep coastline.

It is overtaken by a hill called Curauma, which in Mapuche means "mountain stone", and is composed of many cliffs clinging to the sea. The hills around allow the beach of Quintay to be sheltered from the wind, so it is an ideal place for those who want to enjoy the day on the beach in total relaxation. 

Isla Damas is an island in Central Chile that together with Chanaral and Choros National Humboldt Penguin Reserve. Damas is characterised by its particular fauna and by the richness of species that inhabit it: on the cliffs and between the rocks nest - in addition to the Humboldt Penguin - also the cormorant and the Peruvian Booby.

It is not uncommon to spot the beautiful colonies of South American sea lions and otters, as well as bottlenose dolphins. If you pass through Punta Choros, you can't help but tour the three beautiful islands that give life to the National Reserve, one of Chile's pearls visited every year by thousands of tourists.

Ancud Beach is located on the island Of Chiloé: perfect for relaxing and taking a walk with the children, it is characterised by an expanse of white sand and the turquoise sea. All around, dense vegetation makes it one of Chile's most beautiful places to visit, where you can enjoy a day at the seaside but at the same time breathe in the breeze that comes from the surrounding forest.

 

In the Los Lagos region, in the south of Chile, there is the marine and coastal protected area of Lafken Mapu, of which the Mapu Lahual park is also a part. The name comes from the large larch forest that covers the Cordillera de la Costa: with an area of over 500,000 hectares, Mapu Lahual is one of the few temperate coastal rainforests in the world.

One of Mapu Lahual's many attractions is Caleta Condor, famous for its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, which is surrounded by native forests. Caleta Condor is also the central point of the road that crosses the territory of Mapu Lahual from Maicolpué to Manquemapu.

The climate in Mapu Lahual is characterised by wet and cold weather for most of the year, with an average annual temperature of ten degrees. Another feature of this area is the abundance of rainfall, which is concentrated between the months of April and November. For these reasons, it is advisable for those who visit the area to travel with warm and waterproof clothes, as well as suitable shoes for walking the paths through the park.

If you love surfing you can't miss this wonderful beach, with white sand, turquoise sea and the highest waves in Chile. This is where surfers train and compete on international circuits. Nearby there are clubs and nightclubs, so it is a particularly suitable beach for the young tourism that by day wants to have fun with the waves, and in the evening let loose to the rhythm of music.

 

This beach is located in the north of the region, on the road to Chanaral. After travelling two kilometres of dirt road, you will arrive at this Chilean wonder that has few equals in the world. This beach is ideal for children, especially for those who do not know how to swim well yet: in the sea, in fact, some natural pools have been formed with stones, where they can play in peace. Of course there are also pools suitable for adults, where they can fully relax. 

Arauco beach is the main beach of the city with the same name: it is very close to the centre, so you can access it or drive by car or with a twenty-minute walk. The stretch of sand is several kilometres long, and in some parts is surrounded by pine forests. At the main entrance there is an area with restaurant, discos, cafes and fast food restaurants where you can get a bite to eat and enjoy an aperitif. 

 

Las Tacas is located in the province of Elqui, in the Coquimbo region. The beach is only 500 metres long, but every year it is frequented by hundreds of holidaymakers who are not afraid to face the crowds that pour onto the expanse of white sand. The beauty of its crystal clear waters and the tranquillity of its surroundings make it one of the most loved and popular places in the region. But Las Tacas beach is also the perfect place for those who love diving and snorkelling: the seabed, in fact, has a very varied flora and fauna that will stun ocean-loving travellers. Sports such as kayaking, fishing, or hiking both alone and as a couple can be tried here.

Acapulco Beach It is located in the city of Vina del Mar, in the famous Avenida San Martin. It is one of the best known and most visited beaches on that stretch of coast. One of its main features is the bridge that crosses it, where you can have lunch or buy souvenirs to take back to friends after your holiday. But the bridge is also the perfect place for taking magnificent photos, as it offers an enviable view of the landscape. Along the beach of Acapulco there are also various craft shops for those who want to walk around and buy a few things, and places for playing beach volleyball. 

Zapallar Beach is located 80 kilometres from Valparaiso, between the thermal baths of Cachagua and Papudo. The beach is characterised by an expanse of white sand and large rocks in some places.

It is divided into two parts: Playa Grande and Playa Chica. The first is perfect for snorkelling and admiring the beautiful shells on the sand. You can also go to the stable for a really great horse ride. Playa Chica is smaller and has more rocks than its older sister: chungungo live here, a kind of otter. Zapallar is one of Chile's most exclusive places, and being enclosed by the mountains gives a greater sense of privacy than other places.

Countryside, beach and waves: all this is enclosed in the beach of Buchupureo, a bay located thirteen kilometres north of Cobquecura in the Nuble region. This place combines relaxation and adventure, a perfect mix when you have to satisfy the needs of many different people.

Buchupureo is immersed in a silent pine forest, where you can relax listening to the sound of the sea. With its waves between two and five metres high, it is one of the best places for surfing. Its waters are not suitable for bathing, but near the beach you can go to the mouth of the Buchupureo River: here both adults and children can swim.

An attraction to visit in the area is the Las Nalcas Park, a private reserve with narcas forest and ferns where you can trek.

The beach of Dichato is characterised by an expanse of white sand that extends for more than two kilometres. Suitable for swimming and water sports, it is located ten kilometres from the city of Tomé, between Morros de Coliumo and the tip of Pingueral. This beach unfortunately became famous in 2010 for the earthquake and the tsunami that occurred on this area of the coast, destroying everything.

Years later Dichato is now restored with a new face, with long, rebuilt boulevards and businesses to attract travellers. It is thanks to tourism, in fact, that Dichato has risen once more from the rubble.

We could call it Chile's lost paradise. Isla Mocha is one of the best-preserved tourist treasures in the country, especially since its nature is practically pristine.

Before describing the characteristics of the island however, we want to tell you a story: Mapuche who inhabited the coastal region of La Araucania called it "Amuchurra", which means "resurrection of souls". They were convinced that at death, the spirits rode those 34 kilometres across the sea on the shoulders of four elderly women turned into whales, to reach the island and rise again.

Isla Mocha is characterised by the green mountains that soar in the middle of the ocean, populated by gigantic, hundred-year-old trees and surrounded by magnificent expanses of white sand. The territory of the island is almost virgin and is inhabited only by 600 people, added to every now and then by some tourists. It is usually visited with the help of the islanders, accustomed to travellers, who offer trips on the traditional Moka carts pulled by horses. Walking is difficult – Isla Mocha has an extension of 48 square kilometres – but not impossible if you have time and patience.

Chile is not just hinterland. Indeed. It enjoys heavenly landscapes that seem to come out of the tropics and corners of the world that are a real pleasure for the eyes. Chile is a country that needs to be seen at least once in a lifetime and that can really surprise those who know how to welcome it and intend to breathe the spirit.

The diversity of its landscapes is mainly due to its geographical conformation. Being a long and narrow country, in fact, it crosses numerous climatic regions, which give the territory a particular appearance.

Playa Blanca is one of the most beautiful beaches in Chile. The name comes from the wonderful expanse of white sand that characterises it. Like many other bays in Chile, Playa Blanca is perfect for those who want to play water sports or enjoy the thrill and calm of the ocean. The waters are crystal clear, making the beach one of the most beautiful places to see (and live) in Chile.

Gentle waves and a beautiful expanse of white sand: Rinconada, 65 kilometres north of Antofagasta and only 4 kilometres from Mejillones, is famous for lovers of scuba fishing and diving. Particularly suitable for swimming, it is located in front of the San Luciano Hill, that you can visit on peaceful excursions. The beach and hill are excellent places to observe the different animal species that flock to the place in all their splendour. The green turtles of the nearby Mirador Las Tortugas are very famous.

 

This is a fisherman's bay there are three popular beaches: Los Morros, Necochea and Playa Blanca. It is a quiet beach, especially frequented by those who want to spend a day in total relaxation without getting too stressed. It's a coral sand beach, and the ocean that bathes its is blue. It is a great place for families with children, who can go on pleasant excursions after spending a few hours at the seaside.

The National Park Pan de Azucar in Chile is one of the most popular tourist destinations for travellers. It is located in the region of Atacama 800 metres above the beach and is characterised by its unique flora and fauna, its penguin colonies, its archaeological finds, and the beautiful beaches that surround it.

The Pan de Azucar National Park consists of 43,000 hectares protected to preserve the coastal desert ecosystem. Located 30 kilometres from Chanaral, it was established to preserve the delicate coastal desert ecosystem. 

Many trails allow you to explore a diverse and abundant fauna, which include chungungos (feline otters), wolves, pelicans, cormorants and Humboldt penguins. Up high, in areas with the most vegetation, you can see guanacos and foxes.

 

The Los Lagos region hides a great treasure: Caleta Condor, an isolated coastal town that is part of the Mapu Lahual Reserve and is known throughout Chile for its magnificent white beach and turquoise sea.

An ideal destination for those who are looking for a place full of calm and relaxation. Located south of the city of Caleta Huellelhue, Caleta Condor is on the list of places to see at least once in your life.

Of course its turquoise beaches and white sands are surrounded by the characteristic forest of southern Chile that conquers every visitor with its extraordinary beauty. Each corner is unique, as it is surrounded by hills, waterfalls, rivers and native forests that allow you to enjoy various activities in a completely calm and pleasant environment. One of these is diving, where you can explore the seabed and its great biodiversity: This sector is part of one of three multiple-use protected marine areas in Chile.

 

Take advantage of a Costa Cruise to discover Chile's most beautiful beaches, such as El Laucho and La Lisera. Sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, lots of relaxation and fun await you!