The closest beach to Santiago on this list is Isla Negra, about 111 km and 1 hour 25 minutes by car, followed by Algarrobo (112 km, about an hour and a half) and El Quisco (113 km). To the north, Maitencillo is about 130 km from the airport (1 hour 40 minutes) and Zapallar 167 km (about two hours). The best rated is Punta de Lobos, in Pichilemu, at 4.8 on Google Maps, but it is 210 km away: 3 to 4 hours.
*Updated on 10 November 2026.* Times are without traffic. In summer and on long weekends, Route 68 and Route 5 North can add an hour or more.
How we chose this list
- Distance and time: the kilometres and car or bus times published in each of our guides, with their source (Kupos, Meteored, Wikipedia and municipalities).
- Reviews: Google Maps rating and number of reviews on 10 November 2026, on each beach's most-reviewed listing.
- Interest: monthly searches in Chile according to DataForSEO.
- Included: beaches less than 220 km from Santiago rated 4.4 or more. Ordered from nearest to farthest. The list is not exhaustive.
View the data as a table
| The closest: Isla Negra | 111 km |
| Zapallar | 167 km |
| Pichilemu | 210 km |
Distance and driving time to the best beaches near Santiago
| Beach | Region | Distance from Santiago | Time | Best season | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isla Negra | Valparaíso | 111 km | 1 h 25 by car; 1 h 45 to 2 h 30 by bus | Spring and summer | Culture (Neruda's house) |
| Algarrobo (Pejerrey beach) | Valparaíso | 112 km | About 1 h 30 by car | Summer | Families with children |
| El Quisco | Valparaíso | 113 km | 1 h 35 to 2 h 35 by bus (Kupos) | Summer | Families |
| Quintay (Playa Grande) | Valparaíso | 121 km | No direct bus; by car via Route 68 | Summer | Quiet |
| Reñaca | Valparaíso | Viña del Mar, about 120 km | Bus to Viña 1 h 30 to 2 h, then local bus | Summer | Lively atmosphere |
| Maitencillo | Valparaíso | 130 km from the airport | 1 h 40 by car | Summer | Surfing and paragliding |
| Zapallar | Valparaíso | 167 km | About 2 h by car | Summer | Families |
| Papudo (Playa Chica) | Valparaíso | 175 km | Route 5 North | Summer | Sheltered bay |
| Las Cujas, Cachagua | Valparaíso | 183 km | Route 5 North; access on foot | Summer | Couples |
| Pichidangui | Coquimbo | 196 km | About 3 h by bus | Summer | Long weekend |
| Punta de Lobos, Pichilemu | O'Higgins | 210 km | 3 to 4 h via Route 5 South and Route 90 | All year | Surfing |
| Isla Negra | 111 | 4.5 |
| Algarrobo | 112 | 4.6 |
| El Quisco | 113 | 4.4 |
| Quintay | 121 | 4.7 |
| Maitencillo | 130 | 4.7 |
| Zapallar | 167 | 4.7 |
| Papudo | 175 | 4.6 |
| Las Cujas (Cachagua) | 183 | 4.7 |
| Pichidangui | 196 | 4.7 |
| Punta de Lobos (Pichilemu) | 210 | 4.8 |
The best beaches near Santiago, one by one
1. Isla Negra (4.5; 243 reviews on the main listing). Rock-and-sand beach in front of Pablo Neruda's house museum, whose general ticket costs CLP 11,000. Guide: Isla Negra.
2. Algarrobo, Pejerrey beach (4.6; 1,607 reviews). Algarrobo is the most searched resort on the central coast: 60,500 a month. Guide: Algarrobo.
3. El Quisco (4.4; 4,996 reviews). A bay with a fishing cove; the bus cost CLP 4,340 each way on Kupos on 8 November 2026. Guide: El Quisco.
4. Quintay (4.7; 478 reviews). A cove with the former whaling station and Playa Grande, surrounded by forest. Guide: Quintay.
5. Reñaca (4.6; 9,555 reviews). The most-reviewed beach in central Chile, next to the Concón dunes. Guide: Reñaca.
6. Maitencillo (4.7). A long beach, caves and paragliding from Cerro La Cruz. Guide: Maitencillo.
7. Zapallar (4.7; 3,198 reviews). A bay of blue water and a seaside promenade. Guide: Zapallar and Las Cujas.
8. Papudo (4.6; 8,930 reviews). Playa Chica is the second most-reviewed beach on the list. Guide: Papudo.
9. Las Cujas, Cachagua (4.7; 6,487 reviews). No pets or tents and access on foot; 27,100 searches a month according to DataForSEO.
10. Pichidangui (4.7; 3,000 reviews). Already in the Coquimbo Region. Guide: Los Vilos and Pichidangui.
11. Punta de Lobos (4.8; 11,832 reviews). A World Surfing Reserve. Guide: Pichilemu.
Map of the beaches near Santiago
View the data as a table
| Santiago | Starting point |
| Pichidangui | 196 km |
| Papudo | 175 km |
| Zapallar | 167 km |
| Maitencillo | 130 km |
| Reñaca | Viña del Mar |
| Quintay | 121 km |
| Algarrobo | 112 km |
| El Quisco | 113 km |
| Isla Negra | 111 km |
| Punta de Lobos | 210 km |
Which one to choose for your trip
- Only one day: Isla Negra, Algarrobo or El Quisco, less than 115 km away.
- With children: Pejerrey in Algarrobo or Zapallar, with sheltered water.
- For peace and quiet: Quintay or Las Cujas, outside January and February.
- Without a car: Reñaca or El Quisco, with frequent buses.
- For surfing: Maitencillo or Punta de Lobos.
For the rest of the country, see the best beaches in Chile from north to south.
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest beach to Santiago?
On this list, Isla Negra (111 km), Algarrobo (112 km) and El Quisco (113 km). The beaches of San Antonio and Cartagena are in that range too.
What is the best beach near Santiago?
By Google Maps rating, Punta de Lobos (4.8), followed by Quintay, Maitencillo, Zapallar, Las Cujas and Pichidangui (4.7).
How long does it take to get to the beach from Santiago?
Between 1 hour 25 minutes (Isla Negra) and 2 hours (Zapallar) without traffic; Pichilemu, 3 to 4 hours.
