Zapallar is a district and beach resort in the Valparaíso Region, 167 km from Santiago (about two hours by car), famous for its deep-blue bay surrounded by native trees. The district includes Cachagua, home to Las Cujas beach, one of the most sought-after on the central coast, and the Isla Cachagua Natural Monument, a Humboldt penguin colony just offshore. Distance and promenade figures are from Meteored.
This guide covers Zapallar's beaches, things to do, how to get there and the rules at Las Cujas, with information checked on November 5, 2026.
View the data as a table
| km from Santiago (about 2 hours) | 167 |
| km seafront promenade | 1 |
| km: Cachagua's main beach | 5 |
| hectares: the penguin island | 4.5 |
The beaches of Zapallar and Cachagua
| Beach | Where | What it's like |
|---|---|---|
| Zapallar beach | Center of the resort | Yellow sand and blue water; lined by a promenade of about 1 km |
| Zapallar fishing cove | End of the beach, linked by a walkway | Fishing boats, fish for sale and restaurants |
| Las Cujas beach | Cachagua, about 3 km south | Small, with clear water and walk-in access down a stairway through the woods |
| Cachagua main beach | Cachagua | 5 km long, good for surfing and walks |
Sources: Meteored and En Cancha. The sea at Zapallar is cold and waves can be dangerous on the rocks: on October 31, 2026 a fisherman died after being swept away by a wave at Piedra Blanca, near Cerro La Cruz, and the Zapallar municipality asked residents and visitors to "avoid walking on rocky areas," Teletrece reported.
| Playa Las Cujas | Beach | 3.1 |
| Isla Cachagua (penguins) | Protected area | 4.0 |
| Papudo | Resort or town | 5.0 |
| Playa de Cachagua | Beach | 5.3 |
| Maitencillo | Resort or town | 10.7 |
| Playa Aguas Blancas | Beach | 13.7 |
Las Cujas beach in Zapallar: access and rules
Las Cujas is in Cachagua, within the Zapallar district. You can't drive down to the sand: from the parking lot it's about a five-minute walk down a stairway through a forest. Access is free and there are public toilets and kiosks, according to En Cancha.
| At Las Cujas beach… | Details |
|---|---|
| Access | On foot, about 5 minutes of stairs from the parking lot |
| Facilities | Public toilets and kiosks |
| Not allowed | Picnics, tents, loud noise, street vending or pets |
| Trail | A path of about an hour on foot leads to the village, through native plants |
| Tip | Arrive early in summer: the beach is small and the parking lot fills up |
Source: En Cancha (September 2025). Rules may change each season: check the municipal notices at the entrance.
Things to do in Zapallar
- Walk the promenade linking the beach with the fishing cove and continue along the coastal path among the rocks, with views of the bay (don't go down onto the rocks when the sea is rough).
- Have lunch at the cove. Zapallar's food centers on fresh fish and seafood, which fishermen land and sell right there.
- See the Humboldt penguins of Isla Cachagua. The natural monument was created in 1989, covers about 4.5 hectares and is managed by Conaf, according to its founding decree. Landing is not allowed: it is viewed from the Cachagua shore, ideally with binoculars. Conaf and the Zapallar municipality signed an agreement to protect it (Island Conservation). To see penguins up close, the option is the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve at Punta de Choros.
- Visit the Santa Teresa de Jesús parish church, built of stone and concrete in 1927.
- Continue to Maitencillo, about 10 km south, for paragliding or surfing: see our Maitencillo guide.
How to get to Zapallar
| From | How | Reference time or cost |
|---|---|---|
| Santiago by car | Route 5 North to Catapilco, then route E-46 to the coast | 167 km, about 2 hours |
| Santiago by bus | Direct buses from the Turbus terminal | 10,000 to 11,500 pesos one way (May 2025) |
| Maitencillo | Coastal route F-30-E north | About 10 km |
Sources: Meteored and En Cancha. Bus fares are from May 2025 and should be confirmed. On summer long weekends the coastal road gets congested: check the remaining public holidays.
Zapallar weather and when to go
The DMC station in the district, Zapallar Catapilco, is about 12 km inland. Between 2016 and 2025 its average temperature was 17.5 °C in February and 9.2 °C in July, according to Chilean Meteorological Office data (average calculated by Viajando Chile). On the beach, with the sea breeze, summer days are a little cooler and nights less cold.
View the data as a table
| Zapallar (Catapilco) | Valparaíso (Rodelillo) | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17.4 °C | 16.9 °C |
| Feb | 17.5 °C | 16.6 °C |
| Mar | 15.9 °C | 15.8 °C |
| Apr | 13.4 °C | 14.1 °C |
| May | 11.5 °C | 12.7 °C |
| Jun | 9.5 °C | 11.1 °C |
| Jul | 9.2 °C | 10.5 °C |
| Aug | 10.2 °C | 10.9 °C |
| Sep | 11.1 °C | 11.7 °C |
| Oct | 12.5 °C | 12.9 °C |
| Nov | 14.6 °C | 14.9 °C |
| Dec | 16.2 °C | 16.1 °C |
The best time for the beach is December to March; in spring, Las Cujas and the promenade are quieter. If you travel in midsummer, check the heat alert and our safety tips for tourists in Chile.
Frequently asked questions
Can you bring a dog to Las Cujas beach?
No. Under the rules published for Las Cujas, pets are not allowed, nor are picnics, tents, loud noise or street vending.
How long does it take to get from Santiago to Zapallar?
About two hours by car for the 167 km, on Route 5 North and the exit toward Catapilco and the coast.
Can you visit the Cachagua penguin island?
Landing is not allowed: it is a natural monument protected by Conaf. The penguins are viewed from the Cachagua shore.
Is Las Cujas in Zapallar or in Cachagua?
Both: Cachagua is a resort within the Zapallar district, and Las Cujas is in Cachagua, about 3 km south of central Zapallar.
