Papudo

Papudo has a beach facing north into a sheltered bay, which is unusual on this coast and makes its water calmer and marginally warmer than the open shore. In November 1865, during the war with Spain, the Chilean corvette Esmeralda under Juan Williams Rebolledo caught the Spanish schooner Covadonga off Papudo and took her in a short engagement; the Covadonga later fought at Iquique. The town has a nineteenth century church and a run of older summer houses, and it is markedly less exclusive and less expensive than Zapallar next door.

What you'll find

• A north-facing sheltered bay - calmer than the open coast.
• The capture of the Covadonga - off this town in November 1865.
• A nineteenth century church - and older summer houses along the front.
• Cheaper than Zapallar - and much less closed off.

When to go

December to March. Half a day.

What to expect

The water is still cold. It fills in January and February. Parking along the front is limited. Out of season much of the town closes.

Nearby

Zapallar and Cachagua are south; Los Molles is north.

Key facts