Maitencillo

Maitencillo has two beaches - Playa Larga, a long open stretch, and Playa Aguas Blancas, smaller and more sheltered - separated by a rocky point, with the village along the road behind them. The slope above the town is used for paragliding: the sea breeze coming up the face gives reliable lift in the afternoons and the launch is one of the better known in central Chile, with tandem flights offered. The coast north from here towards Zapallar and Papudo is the least built-up part of the Valparaiso shore, and Maitencillo sits at the point where the development thins out.

The main sights

• Two beaches and a rocky point - Playa Larga and Aguas Blancas.
• A paragliding launch above - reliable afternoon lift off the sea.
• Where the development thins - the coast quieter from here north.
• A village along the shore road - rather than a resort strip.

When to go

December to March. Half a day.

Good to know

Playa Larga has strong currents and is not a safe swimming beach in all conditions. It fills in January and February. The water is cold. Parking along the road is difficult in season.

Nearby

Zapallar and Cachagua are north; Concon and Horcon are south.

Key facts