Los Vilos

Los Vilos sits on route 5 roughly halfway between Santiago and La Serena, which has made it the standard stopping point on that drive - the roadside empanada stands here are an institution in their own right. The town is a fishing port with beaches either side and a caleta selling shellfish. Offshore lies the Isla de los Huevos and, further out, the Isla de los Lobos, with sea lions and seabirds, visited by boat from the harbour. The Pichidangui and Quilimari beaches south of the town and the Puquen sanctuary at Los Molles are the other stops on this stretch of coast.

Background

The name comes from the Mapuche word Filu, meaning snake. The town was declared a minor harbour in 1855, and in December 1857 Hernán Jequier laid out and sold 25 town blocks on former Conchali Hacienda land. Its port, Puerto Punta Chungo, ships material from the Los Pelambres mine, and in 2024 it handled 1.1% of the yearly tonnage of Chile's external trade. The city has over 9,000 inhabitants and the wider commune 18,275, spread over 1860.6 square kilometres. Its two main beaches are La Principal and Las Conchas, and the town lies 246 kilometres from both La Serena and Santiago.

Source: Wikipedia, "Los Vilos"

What's there

• The halfway stop on route 5 - and its roadside empanada stands.
• A working fishing port - with a caleta selling shellfish.
• Islands offshore - sea lions and seabirds, reached by boat.
• Beaches either side - with more south towards Pichidangui.

When to go

December to March. Half a day.

Before you go

It is a highway town first and a resort second, and the road is a constant presence. Boat trips depend on swell. Beaches are cold and windy. It fills in January and February.

Nearby

Los Molles and Puquen are south; Pichidangui is between them.

Key facts