Zapallar is a decidedly untouristy beach town about two hours northwest of
Santiago. Unlike the larger and more well-known Viña del Mar and its suburbs, Zapallar has no major hotels, no high rises, and no busy streets. Rather, Zapallar is the place where
Chile‘s well-to-do come to get away from it all, and where a handful of tourists fill its one hotel and few bed and breakfasts year-round. One of the highlights of Zapallar is its ramblas, a two-mile stone walkway that follows the cliffs and hills surrounding Zapallar and along its quiet harbor and sandy beach. From the ramblas you have a spectacular view of the huge waves that come in from the sea, as well as the stately vacation homes of Chile’s elite.
