What VivExplora is in Chile
VivExplora is a local guide for people who want to arrive somewhere and understand it fast: where the beaches are, how to get there, which rules to respect and what is truly worth it. Everything we publish is checked on the ground and compared with official sources such as municipalities, SERNATUR or the Maritime Authority.
It is not an ad directory. We name beaches, fishing coves, viewpoints, routes and monuments, which are public and belong to everyone. When we could not confirm something, we say so or leave it out.
Why we start on the Central Coast
The stretch between Maitencillo and Papudo is one of the most visited coastlines from Santiago and, every summer, from Mendoza too. It is about two hours from the capital, can be covered in a day along the coastal road and packs four very different ways to enjoy the beach into a few kilometers.
It is also an area with its own rules worth knowing before you arrive. For example, the municipality of Zapallar (which includes Cachagua) bans pets on the sand and in the water, loudspeakers and bonfires. We explain it in the Zapallar beach rules. For the overall picture of the region, start with the Central Coast guide.
The four destinations, in short
Maitencillo
Municipality of Puchuncaví. A long, sporty beach town with several beaches in a row, surfing at El Abanico, paragliding over the cliffs and a waterfront promenade. It is the liveliest of the four. See the Maitencillo guide.
Cachagua
Part of the municipality of Zapallar. It has a long sandy beach and, facing it, the Isla Cachagua Natural Monument, with a Humboldt penguin colony you can watch from the shore. A calm, residential feel. See the Cachagua guide.
Zapallar
A small bay surrounded by forest, a fishermen's cove and a seaside promenade to explore on foot. Its waterfront has one of the strictest bylaws in the area. See the Zapallar guide.
Papudo
The northernmost town of the stretch and the most family-oriented. It has Playa Grande and Playa Chica, a fishing cove, a seafront walk and heritage such as the Church of Our Lady of Mercy, a Historic Monument. See the Papudo guide.
How to use this guide
- To choose a beach town: read each guide or the comparison in the Central Coast guide.
- To get there: each destination has its own how-to-get-there page, for example how to get to Maitencillo or how to get to Papudo.
- To eat: the coast is best enjoyed at its fishing coves; check our guide to Central Coast seafood.
- To travel with a dog or from Argentina: we have dedicated pages with up-to-date rules and paperwork.
What's next
The Central Coast is the starting point, not the end. We will keep adding destinations in Chile with the same method: visit them, verify every fact and explain it simply. Meanwhile, if you know any of these beach towns well and see something out of date, let us know: a local guide stays alive thanks to the people who use it.
Each new destination will come with what you find here: how to get there, which beaches or public places are worth seeing, which rules apply and when to go.
If you go in January or February, leave early: the coastal road and parking lots fill up, and the wind usually picks up in the afternoon, so the sea is best enjoyed in the morning.
Guide reviewed by the VivExplora team · October 2026