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The best beaches in Chile

The narrowest and second longest country in the world, Chile is also home to the driest place on earth. There is a range of geographical features here, from the harsh Atacama Desert to the mysterious stone statues on Easter Island. Chile also has many fantastic beaches.

Bahia Inglesa

Bahia Inglesa is Chile's most photographed beach and it's easy to see why. Beautiful blue water bathes a pristine white sandy beach naturally protected by rock formations. Bahia Inglesa is a fabulous beach in the Atacama Desert that is popular during the summer months due to its geographic location in northern Chile. This beach remains the main reason many Chileans and tourists flock to this remote part of the country every year.

Playa Anakena

This is the most remote and inaccessible beach in the world. Although the island is known for its giant stone statues, its natural beauty will leave you speechless. The best beach on Easter Island is its famous Playa Anakena, where moai statues are 1.2 to 10 meters high. The statues are hundreds of years old and made from stone found elsewhere on the island and brought to the beach. How the islanders moved these heavy statues to the beach remains a mystery. It's worth taking the five-hour flight from Santiago to stand on this mysterious island-beach in Chile and look at the stone statues.

Playa Acapulco

Playa Acapulco in Viña del Mar is one of the most famous and popular attractions in the city. The beach is surrounded by lively bars, restaurants and local shops where you can immerse yourself in Chilean culture. Walking along the wooden boardwalk of Playa Acapulco is a very popular activity. The boardwalk offers magnificent views of the beach, the city skyline and the shimmering Pacific Ocean.

Playa El Canelillo

This beach is located in the center of Algarrobo, a Chilean resort town. A pine forest protects the back of the beach, blocking much of the city's traffic and high-rise buildings. This crescent-shaped beach of golden sand is perfect for an all-day getaway in peaceful waters for a swim if you dare to face the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Playa Matanzas

Humble Matanzas is the perfect place to spend an enjoyable day away from the big Chilean cities. Primarily the fishing village of Matanzas is best known for its striking and bizarre black volcanic beach, Playa Matanzas, which runs parallel to the town's main road. Visit sleepy Matanzas for a week and enjoy a laidback little town filled with locals minding their own business. However, come on weekends and you will see a completely different city when city slickers from Santiago arrive in droves to relax and play at Playa Matanzas.

Playa Buchupureo

This is no ordinary Chilean beach. Playa Buchupureo is located north of Kobquecura in Chile's Nublé region, in a picturesque countryside surrounded by rolling green hills and pine forests. This natural private beach is ideal for surfing, despite the fact that the water is quite cold, even by Chilean standards. This beach is home to many nature trails and La Nalcas Park. Playa Buchupureo is a great place to visit.

La Portada in Antofagasta

This beach is not famous for its white sand, perfect water or lively atmosphere. What makes it one of Chile's most breathtaking and vibrant beaches is the massive sandstone arch of La Portada, which sits right off the coast in the Pacific Ocean. The arch is one of the 15 natural monuments in the country and one of Chile's most recognizable natural landmarks. From La Portada beach you can see the arch, including the stunning almost vertical cliffs. This is one of the most colorful beaches in Chile and worth a visit.

Playa Cavancha

Playa Cavancha is located in the center of Iquique and is the largest and most popular beach in the city. This beach is flanked by high-rise buildings on one side and the shimmering ocean on the other. The beach has a paved promenade, which is great for walking. You won't find too many tourists here, as most visitors tend to stick to the larger urban areas. It is ideal for families and is well equipped with all the amenities you would expect on a popular beach.

Puerto Cisnes

The extreme south of the country rarely comes to mind when compiling a list of the best beaches in Chile, but Puerto Cisnes is exactly that, with beautiful white sands and lush mountains covered with dense forests. It's the perfect launch pad for cruising the Chilean fjords or whale and dolphin watching in the Pacific. The water here is icy and uncomfortable for swimming, but the beach makes up for the water temperature with great outdoor activities and incredible views.

Playa Luna

This is the only official nude beach in Chile that is open to the public. If you are visiting the Valparaiso region and want to visit a Chilean-style nudist beach, Playa Luna is located in the commune of Puchunkavi. 

The beach is located near the town of Horkon, and there are several resorts in its vicinity.