Guanaqueros

Guanaqueros lies in a bay that curves far enough to shelter its beach from the prevailing swell, which makes the water calmer and slightly warmer than the open coast either side and accounts for its popularity with families from La Serena and inland. The village is a fishing caleta at one end with holiday building spreading along the shore behind the beach, and the restaurants at the caleta sell what the boats bring - fish, scallops, machas. Development along this stretch has been rapid over the last two decades and the character has changed with it.

Background

The town belongs to the commune of Coquimbo in Elqui Province and lies on Guanaqueros Bay, 12 kilometers northeast of Tongoy, next to the Pan-American Highway. Its houses line the eastern edge of the Cerro Guanaqueros and face north toward the Pacific. Dozens of recreation centres stand by the large harbour of the same name, together with inns, hostels and other places to stay. The 2002 census counted 1,395 inhabitants. The first people here were the Diaguitas, who lived from the sea and mined the area's copper deposits to make tools.

Source: Wikipedia, "Guanaqueros"

What you'll find

• A sheltered crescent bay - calmer than the open coast.
• A working fishing caleta - at one end of the beach.
• Restaurants on the catch - fish, scallops and machas.
• Fast development behind - holiday building along the shore.

When to go

December to March. Half a day.

Practical notes

It is crowded in January and February with limited parking. The water is still cold by most standards, just less so than nearby. Development has outpaced infrastructure in places. Out of season most of it closes.

Nearby

Tongoy is south; Coquimbo and La Serena are north.

Key facts