When it’s summertime in Santiago, Chile, a weekend beach trip is a must. And what better way to have a no-fuss weekend escape than a spontaneous day trip? Just a couple of hours or less away from Santiago, Reñaca and its neighbor, Viña del Mar, were calling. Armed with beach supplies, water, snacks, and sunscreen, my date and I headed out for a sizzling summer Saturday along Chile’s Pacific coast.
Roasting Under the Chilean Summer Sun in Reñaca
As we made our way on the winding highway to the coast, I already knew to expect some crowds. Visiting the beach on the weekend is a beloved pastime of many Chileans, and being Valentine’s Day weekend, it was sure to be packed. I was mentally preparing for a crowded, high-heat day by the water.
The highway between Santiago’s sprawling urban jungle wound through fields, vineyards, and some hill country before it deposited us in Reñaca, a coastal city just north of Viña del Mar. I’d never been to Reñaca, but the mid-rise buildings that climbed and dipped along the hilly coastline reminded me of most of the other coastal cities between there and Valparaiso. To find a parking spot for the beach, we wound through tight, crowded streets already lined with parked cars of beachgoers.
With a stroke of luck, we found parking right by the beach and hauled all our beach supplies to the shoreline. Under the blazing sun, I was already fearful of getting a scalding sunburn after just a few moments. And scanning the beach, we saw endless umbrellas with families, couples, and friend groups already well into their beach day. We found a spot to post up for the next few hours, and I applied my sunscreen generously as we settled into our surroundings and relaxed into our little spot on the sand.
Wandering Along the Rocky Coast
There’s something magical about the ferocious breaking waves and the rocky landscape on this stretch of Pacific coastline that I can never tire of. Although I only ever dip my toes in the chilly Pacific water here unless I’m in a full wetsuit for scuba diving, I love the Chilean ocean waters. It’s both powerful and relaxing at the same time; it has a unique beauty that’s rare among other coastlines of the world.
Not to mention, I’m always fascinated by the brave Chilean souls who venture out in only swim trunks or a swimsuit for a full-body swim in the cold ocean. Although it’s summer, the ocean is always cold, thanks to the Humboldt Current that sweeps up from Antarctica. And in any other season, I’d hardly dare to even submerge my feet due to the cold water temperature.
But with the sun beating down on us, I went to the ocean a couple of times to hop in and out—but only up to my knees. As we enjoyed the buzzing energy of the beach and sipped on refreshments, the high afternoon sun tilted a bit to indicate that the afternoon was slowly melting into evening. And lucky for us, we already had dinner plans in the next city down: Viña del Mar. With one last appreciative gaze at the beach panorama, we packed up and headed out.
A Sunset Dinner in Viña del Mar
I wouldn’t recommend navigating the highly congested streets of Viña del Mar on a Saturday night on Valentine’s Day. A 30-minute drive from Reñaca turned into an hour, including time spent finding parking. But, upon our arrival at our chosen restaurant, the sunset was perfectly ablaze in the background of the dining room.
In this beachside restaurant, there was no shortage of delicious seafood on the menu. I opted for my personal favorite Chilean seafood dish: pastel de jaiba. It’s akin to a crab casserole, with creamy, savory flavors and topped with freshly melted cheese. Paired with a Chilean “chela” (beer), it made for the perfect dinner as we watched dusk turn into night.
Riding the Ferris Wheel on the Pacific Coast
After dinner, we decided to walk along the bustling streets of central Viña del Mar. Valentine’s Day inspired street vendors to sell chocolates, flowers, and other little gifts that adhered to the romantic occasion. Under dim orange streetlights, we enjoyed a relaxing walk listening to the crashing of waves along the rocky shore.
To my surprise and excitement, a giant glowing Ferris wheel came into view. I never knew that Viña had a Ferris wheel, though I’d been a few times before. Luckily, the line was only moderately long, and we patiently endured the wait with other couples and families. As the wheel slowly lifted us up, we gained a new perspective of the coast and its busy streets and walkways.
From the top of the Ferris wheel, we spotted the restaurant we’d dined at earlier and noted the surrounding hotels and buildings of this coastal city. The Pacific Ocean stretched out into the night horizon, black waters only broken up by white-capped waves. Fresh ocean air breezed by, making me shiver because I was still only in my casual beach shorts and linen top. Riding the wheel was a delightful ending to a fun-filled and much-needed beach day to escape the big city.
Always a Surprise on the Chilean Coast
Every trip to the coast in Chile brings something new. A different food dish, new faces, exciting experiences, and surprising city scenes. And this summer Saturday was no different; little surprises like the Ferris wheel transformed a simple beach day into a memorable experience. I can only hope that I don’t have to wait too long until my next adventure on the Chilean coast.
