From black beaches and ice-cold water in the south to the Miami-like flair of Viña del Mar, Chile’s 6,435 km long coastline is as diverse as the rest of the country, and there is a lot to discover! When the Chilean summer began, I finally had the opportunity to visit the sea. The small coastal town of Curanipe in the 7th Region is full of life and colour. I immediately fell in love with it. To make sure you don’t miss out on any of the culture and beach vibes, here is my list of the top 5 activities that can be done in pretty much any town on the coast.
Pack your swimming trunks and let’s go!
Colourful harbours
Start your day with a visit to the harbour – in the early hours of the morning, the fishermen bring their brightly coloured boats to the beach to inspect their latest catch. From 3,000 CLP on, you can also get a typical ceviche or mariscal – the countless varieties of seafood or fish are served with lemon juice and onion. Super refreshing! At first, I was a little confused by the signs saying “Zona de Amenaza- Tsunami”, but you get used to them after a while. 😂
Visit a market
An absolute highlight is a visit to the “Ferias” (markets) on the coast. Just stroll around a little and let yourself be overwhelmed by the range of food, handicrafts and shell bracelets on offer! Whether you’re looking for a souvenir, cool decorations for your home or want to dress up in traditional ponchos and hand-knitted pullovers, the markets are the perfect shopping spot! Personally, I find the ferias on the beach much nicer than the usual markets in the city. There, I often feel like I’m going to a supermarket with individual stalls. On the coast, they sell truly original, handmade items 😍! (My absolute dream right now is a bright yellow, hand-knitted pullover 🤩)! The ferias are also the best place to get street food, if you’re into empanadas de Camaron or just want a Completo.
Get a shell braid! 🐚
Okay, this one’s for all my Pinterest summer girlies; a braided strand of hair with shells, colours and accessories of your choice is super cool! Just look for the sign that says “trenzas” (usually on the Ferias), to get your mermaid look! My sister and I got some for around 4,000 CLP. They last through washing your hair, so you’ll still be a beach princess even after two weeks! 😍
Go swimming… or try it
When you’re at the seaside, of course you wanna jump into the refreshing water! But be careful, because even though the beaches in the north are perfect for swimming, from the 7th region awards, the water can be freezing cold even in summer! Additionally, the strong currents can quickly pull you further out than you expect. When we visited the beach in Curanipe, the water was so cold that I could only dip my feet into the waves. Brrrrrr! 🥶 It’s best to keep an eye out for warning signs and follow the example of the locals when it comes to swimming.
Beach walk
I think walks are the best way to get to know an area better. Collecting flotsam is always fun, and as well as unique shells, the multitude of crab claws is also eye-catching. I spent a whole morning discovering different shapes, colours and sizes. When the sun disappears as a red ball of fire on the horizon, it’s time to dig your feet into the sand. Just let yourself be carried away by the sound of the waves and enjoy the idyll.
Food excursion
There is a bunch of seafood you can eat at the coast, so here are my top 5 typical dishes you should definitely try!
1. Ceviche
Raw fish with lemon juice, onions, cilantro and chilli – refreshing and always good to go! At the harbour, you can get a portion for 3,000 CLP in a small container to take away.
2. Mariscal
In my opinion, Chilean mussels are not quite as intense as fish, but they are a very traditional food. You can eat them cold like ceviche, or order a warm soup in a restaurant – with mussel shells to spoon it out of!
3. Cochayuyos
If you really want to try something unusual, I recommend the dried seaweed. It is sold in bundles at the ferias and eaten as a snack. But be careful – don’t just pick it up from the beach!
4. Chupe de Centolla
For those with a big appetite, chupe de cenolla – a crab casserole topped with cheese and bread – is the perfect dish! It’s also worth going to a proper restaurant for this.
5. Empanadas de Camaron
These Empanadas come often fried, with the mix of melted cheese and Camaron, they are the perfect food 2 go!
I never realised how much I missed the sound of the Waves until it became my lullaby again. I just feel best by the sea – free, like in an endless summer full of dreams! A weekend was way too short to discover everything, and back home, I miss the smell of sea salt and fish.
I hope your trip will be as wonderful and relaxing as mine was. Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below! 🤗
