Valparaiso and O'Higgins
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Positives
- Super consistent
- Lots of long left pointbreaks
- Big wave options
- Great countryside, laid-back people
Negatives
- Cold water year-round
- Rainy winters and windy
- Lack of night entertainment
- Hard access to some spots
Valparaiso and O'Higgins surf travel guide
Pichilemu is probably the most famous surf town in Chile, situated in the south of this zone, which combines Region V and VI in the numerical naming system of Chile. Because both Valparaiso & O’Higgins encircle the Región Metropolitana de Santiago, it is also the most populated, with plenty of weekend warriors making the 120km trip to the beaches from the capital.
Long lefthand points begin to appear in the southern corners of the bays along with some strong beachbreaks along the Vina del Mar stretch up to Ritoque, where surfing started back in the early ‘70s. This area is where most city folk will get their first taste of surfing, before heading south to the more challenging setups of Pichilemu, where the awesomely long and handsome lefts of Puertecillo, La Puntilla and Punta de Lobos await in a coldwater goofy-footers paradise. This is the most flexible and accessible zone in all of Chile with something for everyone and is the heart of the growing Chilean surf scene.
Surf spots in Valparaiso and O'Higgins
Research the 18 surf breaks in Valparaiso and O'Higgins and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 18 breaks in Valparaiso and O'Higgins.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Valparaiso and O'Higgins
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Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Valparaiso and O'Higgins.
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 5,723,000
- Population
- 19,116,201
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- CLP
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 538.75 CLP CLP
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +56
- Dialing out
- 00
- Emergencies
- 911
- Language
- Spanish
Electricity
- Plug Type
- cl
Visas
For most countries in the world no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days.
Getting There
Nationals of NZ, Brazil, South Africa and USA all need visas, at a cost of $20. Santiago Airport is well connected with North America, Europe and Australasia. The national airline is LAN. From neighbouring countries it’s much cheaper to come by bus. Pichilemu is 5hrs by bus ($8/o-w) from Santiago.
Getting Around
Renting a car is not necessary, as the bus service is reliable. If you stay in Pichilemu, everything is actually within walking distance. To rent a car will cost around $300/w. Lan-Chile offer some good value travel passes.
Accommodation
Costs have risen over the years, but $25/d is still a feasible budget. Surfers hang at the Jamaica Inn ($7/d). The best hotels are the Roos or España at $20/dble. There is lots of cheap seafood at Cafeterias - Curanto is a must. Pisco is the drink of choice. Expect to pay $10 a meal.
Activities
Pichilemu and other coastal resorts get crowded during the summer with visitors from Santiago (the capital). There are 3 nightclubs in Pichilemu (cover charge around $5) but Valparaiso and Cartagena are lively. Don’t miss the Andes and the volcanoes.
Hazards & hassles
Nothing really. Strong rips make getting to the line-up difficult when it’s big. Otherwise the locals are cool, crowd pressure is low, rocks are well covered with seaweed and the numerous seals are curious, but harmless. The only trouble is smog and urban hassles in Santiago.
Handy Hints
You can have your board fixed in the main surf hubs and get a leash or wax, but don’t expect too much. Bring all necessities. Locals will expect you to sell your gear. It seems that Chile is waking up now that the Pinochet era is over.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.