4 Reasons to Visit Zapallar, Chile

Zapallar, Chile is a charming, secluded seaside resort town that is to Chile what I imagine the Hampton's is to the U.S.A. I've never actually been to the Hampton's, which I why I said that I imagine.

After spending the majority of our time in South America hiking around Patagonia, we had 2 1/2  extra days to spend. Instead of trying to cram in Atacama or Púcon, we decided to take some R&R, flying North to La Serena and making our way along the coast to Santiago, and our flight home.

La Serena and the Elqui Valley were both interesting and worth a stop, but what stands out in my mind from this portion of our trip was the night we spent in Zapallar.

About two hours northwest of Santiago, Zapallar offered exactly what we were looking for - a chance to slow down and relax before our 15+ hours of transit time home. What we didn't expect was how delighted we would be with this little town, which deserves it's reputation as one of the most beautiful coastal cities in Chile.

So, here are 4 reasons why you should visit:

1. The pelicans.

Sea birds enchant me.

Why?

Because Shirley Temple was given a crane as a gift and it did a little jig for her. Skip to 13:45

Also, in what deep dark trench of my brain did I retain this knowledge? 

So, when we walked around Zapallar and there were pelicans all over the place I was thrilled. They are obviously very comfortable with people and you can get quite close before spooking them. I took probably 100+ pictures, but I've done my best to cull them down here.

2. See, or stay in one of the historic homes dotting the shore.

We stayed in Casa Wilson, which is a family owned and run B&B located right at the shoreline. This home is easily one of our favorite accomodations to date. Shipped from Europe in pieces, the house was rebuilt in the early 1900's and was one of the first homes in the area as evidenced by its prime location. Casa Wilson has been in the same family for about 100 years, which is obvious by the thoughtful and historic decor and furnishings. While we were there, the owners were also staying with their children and it was nice to share breakfast with them and the rest of their guests. They shared a lot of history of the area, and it made our visit more meaningful.

Casa Wilson.

3. Wander the rocky cliffs and shores.

There is a (very) short little hike that leads you up and along the shore, where you can access rocky outcroppings that creep into the ocean. It's probably not the absolute safest thing to do, but it is fun to see all the little blowholes and crevasses the water has carved into the rock and get a different view of the beach and bay.

4. Enjoy a pisco sour and watch the sun set.

Perhaps the best way to end a day in Zapallar is with a pisco sour (or beer - if you, like me, find pisco sours too sweet) at one of the cafe/restaurants bordering the beach. If you're staying a bit longer you can plan any one of many activities: hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, etc. 

So, if you find yourself in this coastal region, visit Vina del Mar and Valparaiso, but sleep in Zapallar. You will enjoy a more close knit, authentic experience only a short drive away. Plus, pelicans.