7 Best Sights in The Central Coast, Chile

Algarrobo's prettiest beach is Playa El Canelo, located in a secluded cove south of town. It's actually two beaches in one, divided only by a small outcrop of rocks. The idyllic spot with fine yellow sand, calm blue-green water, and a backdrop of pines is blissfully quiet most of the year, but gets very crowded in January and February. From Algarrobo, follow Avenida Santa Teresita south to Avenida El Canelo and the pine forest of Parque Canelo, or from the main coastal road, take Bahía Mansa to Valle Verde. Because it's in a fairly tight cove, it's a great place for swimming, but other activities include boat rides, zip lines, body boarding, and walking the trails along the upper cliffs. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee). Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming.

This private yacht club next to Playa San Pedro organizes and participates in numerous regattas throughout the year. It also has sailing classes and a lively clubhouse.

South of Algarrobo, El Quisco is a long beach of pale sand guarded on either end by stone jetties. In the middle of the beach is a boulder with a 15-foot-high, six-pronged cactus sculpture perched atop it. South of the beach is the blue-and-yellow cove, where boats anchored offshore create a picturesque composition. Easily reached by all forms of transportation, the beach is packed on sunny summer days, when tourists outnumber quisqueños (locals) about 10 to 1. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

Just offshore from the Cofradía Náutica, this tiny island and penguin sanctuary shelters 20 species of marine birds, including some 60 Humboldt penguins. The upper crags of the island are dotted with hundreds of little caves dug by the penguins using their legs and beaks. Though only members are allowed in the marina, a path leads to the top of a nearby hill from which you can watch the flightless birds through binoculars.

The beige sand of this nice beach stretches northward from town for several miles. The surf is usually rough—though beautiful—and therefore not apt for swimming. It's a great place for a long walk on the beach, and you'll often see people fishing. Massive condominium complexes scattered along the beach spill hundreds of vacationers onto it every summer. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunset; walking.

Toward the northern end of town, where the promenade that runs between the beach and the long row of waterfront properties ends, Playa Las Cadenas is a popular, smaller spot to spread a beach towel. The calm and relatively shallow water makes it a good place for swimming. The name, translated to "Chain Beach," refers to the thick metal links lining the sidewalk, which were recovered from a shipwreck off Algarrobo Bay. Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming.

The most popular beach in town is tiny Playa San Pedro; a statue of Saint Peter in the sand next to the wharf marks the spot. It's small, but the waters are surrounded by a rocky barrier that keeps them calm and good for swimming. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.