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Algarrobo

A yacht harbour and a lagoon that was once certified the largest swimming pool in the world.

Updated 30 August 2026

Typeresort town

WhereValparaiso Region

Nearest cityIsla Negra about 10 km; Santiago about 110 km

Best seasonDecember to March

Time to allowHalf a day

Getting thereCoast road south from Valparaiso; buses from Santiago

EntryFree to the town; the pool is for residents and guests of the complex

Algarrobo is a resort town on the central coast with a yacht club and a set of beaches, and the thing that put it into record books is the San Alfonso del Mar complex: a private lagoon about a kilometre long holding some 250 million litres of filtered sea water, opened in 2006 and recognised by Guinness at the time as the largest swimming pool in the world, later overtaken. It is not public - access is for owners and guests of the complex, which surprises visitors who come to see it. The town also has a Humboldt penguin colony on the Isla Pajaros, viewed from the shore.

What to look for

A kilometre-long private lagoon - once certified the world's largest pool.
Filtered sea water - about 250 million litres of it.
Not open to the public - access is for the complex's owners and guests.
A penguin colony offshore - on the Isla Pajaros.

When to go

December to March. Half a day.

What to expect

The pool cannot be visited on a day trip - this catches people out repeatedly. The town is busy and expensive in January and February. The sea is cold. Parking near the beaches is difficult in season.

Nearby

Isla Negra and Neruda's house are south; Cartagena is beyond.

Key facts

Location33.3693° S, 71.6681° W · map

Source: Wikidata, item Q2206, read on 18 October 2026.

What to pack for Algarrobo

Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.

Every-trip essentialsDocuments + digital copies · Universal travel adapter…Beach & swimmingReef-safe sunscreen · Quick-dry towel…Wildlife & birdwatchingBinoculars · A zoom camera or long lens…City & sightseeingComfortable walking shoes · A slim anti-theft daypack…

Reef-safe sunscreen - High SPF that will not bleach the coral you are swimming over. Find on Amazon
Binoculars - The single best wildlife tool - even a compact pair transforms a sighting. Find on Amazon
Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
Quick-dry towel - A microfibre towel packs small and dries in minutes. Find on Amazon

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.