Most tourists in Santiago, Chile, are just passing through on their way to Patagonia or Torres del Paine in the south. But as I’ve come to see for myself, there are seemingly unlimited spots to vacation or visit within just a few hours’ drive from Santiago.
I recently discovered Tunquén, a tiny beach town nestled just north of another beach town called Algarrobo, and south of the famous tourist destinations of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. Tunquén was, for my friend and me, the perfect peaceful ocean-view getaway to reset from the crowded chaos in Santiago.
Where Is Tunquén?
Tunquén is almost small enough to be overlooked on the map. In fact, when my friend proposed the idea for this beach getaway, I told her I’d never heard of this place. To my surprise, it’s less than two hours driving from Santiago. And I’d taken that drive before on my way to Algarrobo, home to the largest resort pool in the world. So, I knew it would be easy enough to cruise along the highway.
The coastal area to the west of Santiago de Chile is full of surprises. And Tunquén turned out to be one of them. And I can see why it’s often overlooked by tourists; it’s just far enough south of Valparaiso (a colorful and crowded city) and Vina del Mar (another pretty beach city, more modern) to not seem worth the additional drive. However, for my friend and me, the relative isolation was exactly what we wanted.
Choosing an Airbnb
I’ve booked a number of Airbnbs along the coast of Chile. As in many areas, they range from quaint little cabanas to luxurious, grand homes. And on this trip, we opted for the second. My friend had found a gorgeously decorated, spacious 3-bedroom modern home with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the ocean.
The recently-built home was in a quiet, remote community just a couple of kilometers from the Pacific Ocean shore. It included an exquisite master bedroom with ocean views, a gorgeous modern bathtub in a plant-filled bathroom, a long hallway with windows facing an interior greenhouse in the center of the home, and a stunning outdoor patio area fully equipped with everything we needed to enjoy meals outside in the fresh fall air. This retreat-style home would be the center of our Tunquén escape.
Arrival in Tunquén
After missing an exit ramp and taking another, we ended up cruising on a smaller road on the way into town. Rolling hills and expansive vineyards between Santiago and the coast transformed into tall, thin trees, and the landscape was dotted with hardy pines and a mix of plants unique to this region.
We only passed by a few small minimarkets and some farmhouse-style homes scattered throughout the town before arriving at the gated entry of our little community, where the home was located. To be sure, we were no longer in the big city. In fact, it felt like Tunquén wasn’t even a town—more like a spread-out collection of houses, very remote.
The Beach at Algarrobo
Our home in Tunquén was nothing short of the modern luxury experience we expected, based on the Airbnb listing and reviews. It was quite comfortable and had plenty of workspace options, and the peaceful surroundings made it the perfect location to renew our energy and spend some time focusing on work. But beyond the home, we craved a visit to the beach, and we picked one just a 10-minute drive away.
This beach was actually in Algarrobo, a place I’d visited before. But this time it felt different. The sun was brighter, and the weather was warmer, although the beaches in Algarrobo weren’t crowded at all since it was off-season (March). Sadly, a red flag was flying, indicating that the ocean conditions were too harsh for swimming. Even so, we enjoyed sun-bathing on the beach, occasionally dipping our toes in the freezing Pacific water.
Dinner: Peruvian Seafood & Dessert
Walking back from the beach around sunset, we noticed that many of the restaurants were closed. One that was open, however, was one of my favorite cuisines: Peruvian. After checking out the menu, we ordered a couple of Peruvian classics, causa con pollo (a hearty potato dish with chicken) and pescado con arroz chaufa (fish with fried rice). The rich flavors and fresh taste of our dishes made this dining-out experience beyond worthwhile.
And although we dined out that night, the rest of our meals were homemade, thanks to the fully-equipped kitchen in our vacation home. But whenever I go to the coast in Chile, I just can’t leave without enjoying some of the fresh seafood. So, this Peruvian restaurant in Algarrobo was the perfect stop after our evening at the beach.
Exploring Local Trails
One morning, I left our accommodation with my running shoes laced up and went exploring all over the local trails that wound in a very confusing, unplanned way around this little housing community in Tunquén. The trails were really dirt roads that were clearly used for cars, bikes, pedestrians, and horses. I had to be careful, since many or most of them lead to private homes.
Jogging along the tranquil paths in this area gave me the chance to spot wildlife, like birds and rabbits. Plenty of dogs greeted me from behind private property fences, but on that quiet morning in Tunquén, I didn’t see a single other person. I followed one path that curved in between residences and ended in a stunning viewpoint, overlooking the Pacific Ocean far below, and showcasing the rocky yet heavily vegetated coastline.
Go to Tunquén for a Tranquil Getaway from Santiago
If you’re getting tired of being in the big city, or you want a quieter option along the coastline by Santiago that isn’t Valparaiso or Vina del Mar, Tunquén could just be the perfect choice. For my friend and me, Tunquén was a chance to recharge and enjoy relaxing in a beautiful home while soaking in ocean views. It was off the beaten path, certainly, but Tunquén was a beautiful and quaint adventure and perhaps one of my new favorite coastal destinations in Chile.
