It's not a “tourist beach”, it's the Chilean's own “model of vacation life”

Playa Reñaca is not a secret destination, on the contrary, it's very "famous! On the contrary, it's very “famous” - but not in the way you might think.

It's not one of Lonely Planet's Top 3 recommended beaches, but rather one of those places that Chilean locals think of as “the place to drive to if you want to relax”. Especially for Santiagoans, it's just over two hours away by car, making it a top pick for an urban escape.

The beach itself is long, with fine sand and big waves, and is divided into a “surf zone” and a “water play zone”. But the most special thing is the rows of terraced condominiums built on the hillside, like an architectural painting with a strong sense of line. When you walk on the beach, it looks as if the whole city is reclining in the sun.

The vibe is also unique - half of them are sporty teenagers surfing, half of them are families with lounge chairs, and half of them are couples and friends taking photos, eating ice cream, and chatting about gossip. That's right, three halves, because there's so much to do.

How to go shopping for the first time? Remember these “time period + area + avoid pit point”

To be honest, Playa Reñaca is not big, but play well, it all depends on how you “how to arrange”.

If you choose the right time period, your experience will be doubled.

9:00-11:00am: Quiet and less crowded, suitable for walking, taking photos (backlighting is not too heavy), and you can catch the coolness of the sea breeze.

12:00-14:00pm: UV rays are the strongest, it is recommended to avoid going to cafes or eating during this time.

15:00-18:00pm: Golden hour, the most crowded but with the best light and the liveliest beach. Taking pictures, surfing and lazing around are all peak experiences.

Evening sunset after 18:30: don't rush, the sunset of the west side of the sea is super beautiful, and the sea breeze is picking up, and the temperature is just right.

Beach zoning should be noted, not all places are suitable for water

North section near the rocks of the place waves, suitable for surfing or photography (pay attention to safety, do not recommend going into the water)

The middle section of the most lively, crowded, but there are a variety of stalls, coconut water, fried seafood and so on can try

South section of the relatively few people, suitable for people who want to quietly sunbathing crowd, but also more close to the coffee shop and some local restaurants

Sun protection, sand prevention, anti-expensive meals, the three preventive strategy must be Remember

to bring a high level of sunscreen + hat + sunglasses, or you can become a “charcoal-colored tourists” in just one afternoon.

The sea wind is strong and the sand is fine, do not wear white canvas shoes (it will be painful for the whole day).

The beachside restaurants have a beautiful view, but the price is high and the taste is mediocre, it is recommended that you walk to the inner street for two streets, and the same fresh seafood rice is only half the price, and it is also much better! The same fresh seafood rice is half the price and tastes better!

That day I played like this: shopping + laze around + almost missed the sunset surprise

I took an Uber from Viña del Mar that day, the ride is less than 15 minutes, very convenient. 10 o'clock or so, the whole beach is still empty, I walked along the coastline, from the south section all the way to the north section, I watched a variety of sunbathing all the way to a variety of fancy poses - some people! A person and a dog and a chair, some people directly lay a towel on the ground to lie flat, there are people actually brought a small stereo dancing there, too good at playing.

At noon it was too sunny, so I went into a local restaurant called “Cafe Journal” to eat, and ordered fried fish with lemon juice, fried crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the key is to rely on fresh lemons and spices, and even do not use ketchup, simple but super delicious.

But the best part was the evening. I almost left, then was persuaded by a big brother selling ice cream next to me, “Wait another 20 minutes, there are few clouds today, the sunset will be great.”

As a result, I really stood by the beach and watched the whole sea turn from gold to orange to pinkish purple, and at that moment everyone around me stopped moving and just stood looking at the sea. I didn't say anything, just silently put my cell phone down - this kind of image, with a shot are not as good as remembering with your eyes.

Practical information: transportation, food, accommodation, and must-have items, all in one

Transportation: about 2 hours by car from Santiago; you can also take an Uber from Viña del Mar for about 15 minutes or a bus for about 20 minutes

Recommended length of stay: at least half a day, we recommend that the combination of afternoon + evening is the most comfortable

Recommended wear: lightweight + sunscreen; beach shoes or flip-flops are the best, don't wear sand-absorbing materials

Nearby accommodations: Reñaca There are a number of aparthotels and sea view Airbnb near the beach, it is recommended to book in advance, holidays are very popular

Dining advice: avoid the beach side, walk two or three blocks to the inner street, there are a lot of reasonably priced, authentic taste of the restaurant

Suitable for the crowd: couples, groups of friends, solo travelers, parents and children are all suitable; like less crowded beach may have to look further north

Playa Reñaca is not something Playa Reñaca isn't a “stunning secret destination,” but it has a rhythmic feel to it that makes you head for the hills. It's not here to conquer you, but to welcome you to relax. If you stop for an afternoon, it will give you a reason to “settle here”. So, on your first visit, don't rush, don't take pictures, don't worry about not having enough excitement - places that are really fun are the ones that make you “happy doing nothing” - and that's really what Playa Reñaca is all about.