Central coast

Modern highways connect Santiago with the main cities of Chile's central pacific coastline. Viña del Mar is about 74 miles away and, next to it, Valparaiso, Chile's first port, which hopes to be declared a World Heritage by the UNESCO. Close to both these cities are the seaside resort of Rehaca, a beach that attracts a large number of tourists during the summer, Algarrobo and the town of lsla Negra, where the poet and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Pablo Neruda, built one of his three houses. Together with these attractions, there are comfortable hotels and resorts for the visitors, such as Marbella. Another beach town worth mentioning is upperclass Zapallar, considered the most exclusive resort in the entire central coast.

All coastal resorts offer a good variety of hotel accommodation and complete basic tourist facilities and installations. Chile's central zone has a road that runs along the coast where it is possible to enjoy excellent seafood in small picturesque restaurants with a view of the broad Pacific Ocean.

Attractions
History
Known affectionately as 'the Pearl of the Pacific', Valparaiso is Chile's premier port. Repeatedly sacked by pirates and destroyed by fires and earthquakes in its early days, the city grew rapidly as the first major port of call for clippers rounding Cape Horn for the California gold rush.

Until 1914, when the opening of the Panama Canal reduced shipping traffic, Valparaiso was Chile's most dynamic city, financing mining operations and urban remodeling throughout the country. Meanwhile, sailors and other-immigrants built their homes high up into the hills or cerros surrounding the city, creating a colorful, chaotic contrast to the city's orderly financial district. Nobel prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda built charismatic homes here and in Isle Negra, just south.

Recreation and relaxation
This area contains Chile's most popular and well-equipped coastal resorts, ranging from the flashy high-rise condominiums and boutiques of Viña del Mar and Reñaca to the exclusive resort of Zapallar. Shopping, golf, tennis, horseback riding, biking and aquatic sports are possibilities within a couple of hours' dove from Santiago.

Gastronomy
The catch of the day is fresh, abundant, and extremely varied seafood, bought straight off the boat or served in elegant seaside restaurants. Favorites include dishes such as paila marina, a catch-all seafood stew.

Activities
Golf
Set on a lush marine tableland above the Pacific, the Marbella Country Club is Chile's premier destination golf resort. With a 27-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pools, and a modem country club, Marbella offers Its guests the ultimate in sport and relaxation.

Navigation
Traditional wooden fishing boat offer cruises between sees offer cruises between Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, providing an up-close and personal view of the activities in Chile's busiest port. In nearby resorts such as Cachagua, local fishermen will take visitors to sea lion colonies on offshore islands.

Aerial sport and tours
With constant onshore breezes and steep dunes and seacliffs backing the beach, the coast in Maitencillo is a favorite site for paragliding. Less adventuress can get a similar birds-eye view by taking a scenic flight in a small prop plane.