Chile's most searched beach is Bahía Inglesa, with 40,500 searches a month according to DataForSEO, and the best-rated beaches with many reviews are Punta de Lobos (4.8 from 11,832 Google Maps reviews) and Totoralillo (4.6 from 11,083). In the north, El Laucho, in Arica, has 5,856 reviews rated 4.6, and in central Chile Las Cujas, in Cachagua, reaches 4.7 from 6,487. This list ranks Chile's 15 best beaches north to south with that data.
*Updated on 10 November 2026.* Chilean beaches are public property and access is free; Anakena, on Rapa Nui, lies inside Rapa Nui National Park, which charges an entry fee.
How we chose this list
- Reviews: each beach's rating and number of reviews on Google Maps, checked on 10 November 2026 (we use the listing with the most reviews).
- Interest: monthly searches in Chile for the beach or resort name, according to DataForSEO.
- Included: beaches rated 4.5 or more with at least 1,000 reviews, plus Quintay and Anakena for their search volume. Ordered north to south.
- The north has the warmest water and the south the coldest: we only chose beaches suitable for swimming in summer or famous for surfing. The list is not exhaustive.
View the data as a table
| Monthly searches for Bahía Inglesa | 40,500 |
| Punta de Lobos reviews | 11,832 |
| Totoralillo reviews | 11,083 |
Comparison of the best beaches in Chile
| Beach | Region | Google rating (reviews) | Getting there | Best season | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Laucho, Arica | Arica y Parinacota | 4.6 (5,856) | South of the Morro de Arica | All year | Calm swimming |
| Cavancha, Iquique | Tarapacá | 4.7 (1,281) | In the city | All year | City and beach |
| La Virgen, Caldera | Atacama | 4.6 (4,231) | South of Bahía Inglesa, dirt road | December to March | Turquoise water |
| La Piscina, Bahía Inglesa | Atacama | 4.5 (1,127) | 20 km from Desierto de Atacama airport | December to March | Families |
| Totoralillo, Coquimbo | Coquimbo | 4.6 (11,083) | South of Coquimbo, via Route 5 | January and February | Snorkelling and families |
| Guanaqueros | Coquimbo | 4.6 (3,691) | Route 5, south of La Serena | January and February | Families |
| Playa Grande, Tongoy | Coquimbo | 4.6 (2,043) | 45 minutes south of La Serena | January and February | Seafood |
| Pichidangui | Coquimbo | 4.7 (3,000) | 196 km north of Santiago | Summer | Longer getaway |
| Las Cujas, Cachagua | Valparaíso | 4.7 (6,487) | Access on foot; 183 km from Santiago | Summer | Couples |
| Zapallar | Valparaíso | 4.7 (3,198) | 167 km from Santiago | Summer | Families |
| Reñaca, Viña del Mar | Valparaíso | 4.6 (9,555) | Bus to Viña del Mar and local bus | Summer | Lively, young crowd |
| Playa Grande, Quintay | Valparaíso | 4.7 (478) | 121 km from Santiago | Summer | Cove and quiet |
| Pejerrey, Algarrobo | Valparaíso | 4.6 (1,607) | 112 km from Santiago | Summer | Families with children |
| Punta de Lobos, Pichilemu | O'Higgins | 4.8 (11,832) | 210 km from Santiago | All year (surf) | Surfing and viewpoints |
| Anakena, Rapa Nui | Valparaíso (Rapa Nui) | No comparable listing | North of the island | All year | Once-in-a-lifetime trip |
| El Laucho | Arica y Parinacota | 4.6 | 5,856 | 2,900 |
| Cavancha | Tarapacá | 4.7 | 1,281 | 9,900 |
| La Virgen | Atacama | 4.6 | 4,231 | 12,100 |
| Bahía Inglesa | Atacama | 4.5 | 1,127 | 40,500 |
| Totoralillo | Coquimbo | 4.6 | 11,083 | 3,600 |
| Guanaqueros | Coquimbo | 4.6 | 3,691 | 2,400 |
| Tongoy | Coquimbo | 4.6 | 2,043 | 1,900 |
| Pichidangui | Coquimbo | 4.7 | 3,000 | 2,400 |
| Las Cujas | Valparaíso | 4.7 | 6,487 | 27,100 |
| Zapallar | Valparaíso | 4.7 | 3,198 | 8,100 |
| Reñaca | Valparaíso | 4.6 | 9,555 | 1,600 |
| Quintay | Valparaíso | 4.7 | 478 | 2,400 |
| Algarrobo | Valparaíso | 4.6 | 1,607 | 4,400 |
| Punta de Lobos | O'Higgins | 4.8 | 11,832 | 1,300 |
The best beaches in northern Chile
El Laucho and Chinchorro (Arica). Arica has more than 20 km of beaches; for swimming, the calmest are Chinchorro, to the north, and El Laucho and La Lisera, south of the Morro. Guide: things to do in Arica.
Cavancha (Iquique). The best-rated city beach in the north, at 4.7. It sits on the waterfront and is the landing point for paragliding from Alto Hospicio.
La Virgen and Bahía Inglesa (Atacama). Bahía Inglesa is the most searched in the country and La Virgen, further south, has 4,231 reviews. Guide: Bahía Inglesa.
Totoralillo, Guanaqueros and Tongoy (Coquimbo). Totoralillo is the northern beach with the most reviews (11,083). Guides: Guanaqueros, Tongoy and Los Vilos and Pichidangui.
The best beaches in central and southern Chile
Las Cujas and Zapallar. Las Cujas, in Cachagua, is reached on foot and allows no pets or tents; Zapallar has a sheltered bay. Guide: Zapallar and Las Cujas. Nearby are Maitencillo and Papudo.
Reñaca, Quintay and Algarrobo. Reñaca is the central beach with the most reviews (9,555). Quintay is a cove with a former whaling station and Algarrobo the most searched on the central coast. Guides: Reñaca, Quintay and Algarrobo.
Punta de Lobos (Pichilemu). The best rating on the list, 4.8, and a World Surfing Reserve. Guide: things to do in Pichilemu. Further south, Cobquecura has the Stone Church and a sea lion colony.
Anakena (Rapa Nui). White sand, palm trees and restored moai facing the sea. Guide: Easter Island.
Map of the best beaches in Chile
View the data as a table
| El Laucho | 4.6 |
| Cavancha | 4.7 |
| La Virgen | 4.6 |
| Bahía Inglesa | 4.5 |
| Totoralillo | 4.6 |
| Guanaqueros | 4.6 |
| Tongoy | 4.6 |
| Pichidangui | 4.7 |
| Las Cujas | 4.7 |
| Zapallar | 4.7 |
| Reñaca | 4.6 |
| Quintay | 4.7 |
| Algarrobo | 4.6 |
| Punta de Lobos | 4.8 |
Which one to choose for your trip
- With children: Pejerrey in Algarrobo, El Laucho in Arica or Guanaqueros, with calm water.
- For warmer water: the north, from Arica to Bahía Inglesa.
- As a couple: Las Cujas or Quintay.
- For surfing: Punta de Lobos, all year.
- A weekend from Santiago: see the best beaches near Santiago.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best beach in Chile?
By reviews, Punta de Lobos (4.8 from 11,832); by searches, Bahía Inglesa (40,500 a month). For swimming in warmer water, the northern ones, such as El Laucho or La Virgen.
What are the best beaches in northern Chile?
El Laucho and Chinchorro in Arica, Cavancha in Iquique, La Virgen and Bahía Inglesa in Atacama, and Totoralillo, Guanaqueros and Tongoy in Coquimbo.
Are Chile's beaches free?
Yes, they are public. Some accesses cross private land or paid car parks, and Anakena is inside a national park with an entry fee.
