Chile's Ministry of National Assets will put out to tender 420.39 hectares of state-owned land in Bahía Inglesa, in the municipality of Caldera (Atacama Region), to attract tourism, hotel and real-estate projects next to one of the best-known beaches in northern Chile. The plan will be split into three stages, and the first, of 79.31 hectares, would be the first to go to tender, as reported on 21 October 2026 by Meganoticias, The Clinic and Emol, based on a report in El Mercurio.
"This is going to be a project that will contribute a great deal to the region," said the Minister of National Assets, Catalina Parot, who described it as a project "to develop first and second homes for the middle class". The programme is called "Bahía Inglesa Florece", according to Ladevi.
How many hectares will be tendered in Bahía Inglesa
| Stage | Area | Planned use |
|---|---|---|
| First stage | 79.31 ha | 28.27 ha for tourism, hotels and services; 51.04 ha for real-estate or real-estate-and-tourism projects |
| Second stage | 208.19 ha | To be defined in later tenders |
| Third stage | 132.89 ha | To be defined in later tenders |
| Total master plan | 420.39 ha | Tourism, hotels, services and housing |
Source: Ministry of National Assets, according to Meganoticias and Ladevi (21 and 23 October 2026). Separately, the ministry identified another 80 hectares for public-interest housing, in coordination with the Ministry of Housing and Serviu.
The tender timetable
According to the schedule cited by Meganoticias, the tender rules would be published at the end of February 2027 and the award would come in the second half of that year. After that, each investor must design its project, obtain permits and build, so the first projects could start operating around 2031.
| Period | Planned milestone |
|---|---|
| October 2026 to January 2027 | Identification of plots and preparation of regional files |
| January and February 2027 | Drafting of the rules; publication expected at the end of February |
| May and June 2027 | Receipt of bids |
| June to September 2027 | Evaluation, award and signing of sale contracts |
| Around 2031 | Possible start of operations, depending on each project |
Source: Ministry of National Assets schedule published by El Mercurio and cited by Meganoticias, 21 October 2026. As of 23 October, the ministry's tender portal still had no specific rules for this land, according to Ladevi.
Do you run accommodation, a restaurant or a tour operator in Caldera or Bahía Inglesa? Show your offer to travellers planning their summer in northern Chile.
See advertising optionsWhat the state will require of projects in Bahía Inglesa
- "Project-based" tender: besides the financial offer, bids will be judged on the quality of the project, how it fits its surroundings and its investment and timing commitments.
- Zoning plan: projects must comply with Caldera's current Municipal Zoning Plan.
- Public spaces: the plan includes green areas, public spaces and a freely accessible coastal promenade.
- What is still unknown: the weighting of each criterion, the execution deadlines and the investment obligations have not yet been released, Ladevi notes.
The open questions: water, services and dunes
Ladevi points to several issues to be resolved before the projects arrive: drinking water supply, sewerage, electricity, road access and visitor services. It also notes that Caldera's Zoning Plan recognises an area called "Cultural Dunas de Bahía Inglesa" and that, with the public information available, it cannot be confirmed whether it overlaps with the land to be tendered.
What it means for people travelling to Bahía Inglesa
For travellers, nothing changes this summer: the tenders will take until at least the end of 2027 and construction will come later. Bahía Inglesa remains one of the busiest destinations in the Atacama Region; over the 12 October holiday, the Bahía Inglesa–Pan de Azúcar National Park destination reached 75.2% occupancy, the third highest in the country, according to the Sernatur figures we detailed in hotel occupancy over the October holiday.
If you plan to go, combine the beach with the flowering desert in spring or with Llanos de Challe National Park, further south.
Frequently asked questions
How many hectares will the government tender in Bahía Inglesa?
The master plan covers 420.39 hectares in three stages. The first, of 79.31 hectares, would be tendered first.
When will the tender rules be published?
According to the schedule cited by the press, at the end of February 2027.
Will access to the beach be closed?
The plan includes a freely accessible coastal promenade and public spaces. The details will be known when the rules are published.
