Guanaqueros is a beach resort and fishing cove in the municipality of Coquimbo, 34 km south of the city, with a 7 km beach of fine sand and calm water, known for its fishing cove and its seafood. That is how the official Sernatur brochure describes it, listing it among the region's main tourist centres. It had 1,762 inhabitants in the 2017 census, according to Wikipedia, but in summer it fills with families staying in its cabins and campsites.
For Chile Travel, the official tourism promotion site, Guanaqueros is 30 to 45 minutes by car from La Serena's city beaches and, together with Tongoy, is known for its scallops. This guide covers its beaches, things to do, the weather and how to get there, with data checked on 8 November 2026.
View the data as a table
| km of beach | 7 |
| km south of Coquimbo | 34 |
| inhabitants (2017 census) | 1,762 |
| °C mean temperature in February | 17.9 |
Guanaqueros beach and the neighbouring beaches
The coast of the municipality of Coquimbo is 56 km long, with a string of resorts heading south. This table sums up the ones near Guanaqueros, with each beach's length and its distance from Coquimbo:
| Beach | Length | Distance from Coquimbo | What sets it apart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morrillos | 6 km | 24 km south | Ochre sand and crystal-clear water; campsite and cabins |
| Guanaqueros | 7 km | 34 km south | Fine sand, pleasant water, water sports and fishing for flounder and croaker |
| Playa Blanca | About 500 m | 45 km south | Small bay of white sand and clear water; good for diving |
| Playa Grande de Tongoy | About 14 km | 48 km south | The longest; oysters and scallops |
Source: Sernatur's "Destino Coquimbo" brochure (Sernatur). In the 2025-2026 season the Navy cleared for swimming the Guanaqueros section in front of the Rosa Agustina resort; in the municipality of Coquimbo the list also included La Herradura, La Herradura Chica, Peñuelas, Socos Sur and Puerto Velero, according to the list published by Emol. Morrillos, Playa Blanca and Tongoy were not on that list: check the Playas Chile app before swimming.
Tongoy, 14 km further south, can be added on the same day: see our Tongoy guide.
Things to do in Guanaqueros
- Take a boat trip around the bay. At the cove you can negotiate a trip of a couple of hours or an early-morning fishing outing, according to Sernatur. Humboldt penguins and a sea lion island can be seen in the bay, and in summer dolphins come close to shore.
- Eat at the cove and shop at the pier, where fresh fish and shellfish are sold: jack mackerel, blanquillo, conger eel, sierra and flounder are some of the local fish.
- Fish from the shore or from a boat, mainly flounder and croaker.
- See the El Suizo tower, a wooden tower built in 1973-1974 by Fritz Willy Lindenmann, "the Swiss", who arrived in 1969, installed the first freshwater pump and disappeared in 2002, never to be found.
- Look for the Piedra Campana, the rock that rings like a bell when struck and which, according to local tradition, pirates used as an alarm when hiding in the bay.
Sources: Sernatur and Wikipedia. To see Humboldt penguins up close, the region's classic excursion is to the Isla Damas and Punta de Choros reserve, north of La Serena.
- Colonial eraPirate hideoutPirates raiding Coquimbo and La Serena kept watch from the mesa and raised the alarm by striking the Piedra Campana.
- 1969"The Swiss" arrivesFritz Willy Lindenmann installs the first freshwater pump.
- 1973-1974El Suizo towerHe builds the wooden tower that is now a local landmark.
- 20021,395 inhabitants2002 census.
- 20171,762 inhabitants2017 census.
Camping and cabins in Guanaqueros
Accommodation in Guanaqueros is mainly cabins and campsites, according to Sernatur, with dozens of holiday centres around the bay (Wikipedia). Morrillos, about 10 km further north, also has a campsite and cabins, and Playa Blanca adds apartments and a restaurant. In January and February it is best to book ahead, as it is one of the favourite resorts of families from the region and from Santiago.
Weather and when to go
The climate is coastal and mild all year round. A good reference is the Chilean Meteorological Office station at La Serena's La Florida airfield: between 2016 and 2025 the mean temperature was 17.9 °C in February, the warmest month, and 11.2 °C in July, and January's highest maximum averaged 24.2 °C. Mornings often start with coastal cloud that clears around midday.
View the data as a table
| Highest maximum of the month | Mean temperature | Lowest minimum of the month | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24.2 °C | 17.6 °C | 12.5 °C |
| Feb | 24.7 °C | 17.9 °C | 13.0 °C |
| Mar | 23.3 °C | 16.4 °C | 11.0 °C |
| Apr | 23.1 °C | 14.6 °C | 8.7 °C |
| May | 21.3 °C | 13.0 °C | 6.4 °C |
| Jun | 21.8 °C | 11.8 °C | 5.0 °C |
| Jul | 20.9 °C | 11.2 °C | 4.3 °C |
| Aug | 22.2 °C | 11.8 °C | 4.8 °C |
| Sep | 20.2 °C | 12.3 °C | 6.0 °C |
| Oct | 20.6 °C | 13.2 °C | 6.8 °C |
| Nov | 21.8 °C | 14.7 °C | 9.0 °C |
| Dec | 22.7 °C | 16.1 °C | 10.6 °C |
| Period | What Guanaqueros is like |
|---|---|
| December to February | High season, beaches with lifeguards, full campsites and dolphins close to shore |
| March and April | Fewer people and still mild water |
| May to August | Mild winter with little rain; a good time to eat at the cove without queues |
| September to November | Spring with añañuca flowers on the hills; lower prices |
Compiled by Viajando Chile with data from the DMC, Sernatur and Wikipedia, which mentions the añañuca as the area's characteristic flower.
How to get there from La Serena, Coquimbo and Santiago
| From | How | Details |
|---|---|---|
| La Serena | Bus | Daily service from the bus terminal (Amunátegui s/n) |
| Coquimbo | Shared taxi (colectivo) | From the bus station (Varela s/n), about 40 minutes |
| Coquimbo or La Serena | Car | Route 5 south to the Guanaqueros exit (km 437), toll and about 4 km of road |
| Santiago | Bus to La Serena, then local bus | From CLP 10,800; 5 h 30 min to 8 h 35 min to La Serena; 117 departures on 8 November 2026 |
| Santiago | Direct bus to Tongoy | From CLP 19,900; about 428 km; 14 km south of Guanaqueros |
Sources: Coquimbo Regional Tourism Office, Wikipedia, Kupos and Kupos, checked on 8 November 2026. If you are in the area, the Elqui Valley is just over an hour from La Serena: see stargazing in the Elqui Valley, the pisco route and our comparison of Elqui Valley tours. For the city, see things to do in La Serena and Coquimbo, and if you rent a car, the requirements are in our guide to car rental in Chile.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Guanaqueros?
In the municipality of Coquimbo, Coquimbo Region, 34 km south of the city of Coquimbo and 14 km north of Tongoy.
Can you swim at Guanaqueros beach?
Yes. The water is calm and in the 2025-2026 season the Navy cleared the section in front of the Rosa Agustina resort. Swim where there are lifeguards and check the current list in the Playas Chile app.
Is there camping in Guanaqueros?
Yes, accommodation in Guanaqueros is mainly cabins and campsites, according to Sernatur. In January and February it is best to book ahead.
How do you get to Guanaqueros by public transport?
There is a daily bus service from La Serena's bus terminal, and shared taxis (colectivos) leave from the Coquimbo bus station and take about 40 minutes.
