The Pacific coast, 90 minutes from Santiago
Viña del Mar & Valparaíso
The easiest escape from Santiago: long beaches in Viña del Mar, painted hills and funiculars in Valparaíso next door, and the giant dunes of Concón a little further up the coast. Valparaíso and Maitencillo lie in opposite directions, so with three days pick one of the two.
- Best time
- October to March — sunny, but the Pacific is always cold
- Recommended days
- 3–4 days
- Getting there
- 1h30 by car or bus from Santiago
Where to fly
No flight needed. Turbus and Pullman buses leave Santiago (Terminal Alameda / Pajaritos) for Viña and Valparaíso every 15 minutes — about 1h30 and €10 one way. By car it is the Ruta 68 motorway straight to the coast.
What not to miss
Viña del Mar beaches
Playa Acapulco and Reñaca for the sand and the promenade, plus the flower clock and the seafront walk towards Concón for the best empanadas of the trip.
Valparaíso hills
Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción: street art, ascensores (funiculars), and cafés hanging over the port. Go on foot and let yourself get lost (can be a little bit dangerous in the evenings, so try to go early and be extra careful)
Concón dunes
A giant sand dune dropping straight into the Pacific at the end of Reñaca. Climb to the top for sunset — the whole coast lights up — and stop for an empanada on the way down.
Maitencillo
The surf town an hour north of Viña. Long beach breaks, board and wetsuit rental on the sand, surf schools for beginners and fried fish afterwards.
Day by day
Day 1-2
Viña del Mar & Reñaca
Settle in and let the coast set the pace: mornings on the sand at Playa Acapulco or Reñaca, lunch on the promenade and the flower clock for the classic photo. Walk the seafront towards Concón for the best empanadas of the trip, and end the day on top of the Concón dunes at sunset — the whole coastline lights up.
Day 3-4 · Option 1
Valparaíso
A full day in the hills: ride the ascensores (funiculars) up, follow the murals through Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción, visit La Sebastiana — one of Neruda's houses — and have a long lunch overlooking the port. Stay for a drink as the sun drops into the Pacific. Go during the day, and take an Uber after dark.
Day 3-4 · Option 2
Maitencillo
Head an hour up the coast to this laid-back surf town. Book a beginner's surf lesson — boards and wetsuits rent right on the sand — take long walks along the beach, and finish with fried fish while the sun goes down. Staying four days? Do both: Valparaíso one day, Maitencillo the other.
Where to stay
- There are so many lovely places to stay here — have a browse on Booking.com and Airbnb and pick whatever feels right for you. These buttons will take you straight there.
Don't forget
- · The Pacific here is cold — bring a jumper for the evenings
- · In Valparaíso stay in the tourist hills at night and take Uber after dark
- · The Concón dunes are steep — bring shoes you can kick off and a windbreaker for the top
Who we booked with
Turbus / Pullman
Frequent, comfortable buses from Santiago to Viña and Valparaíso — book online or just show up.
Visit websiteTours 4 Tips Valparaíso
Free walking tour of the hills — the best introduction to the city.
Visit website