Renaca

Renaca is the beach immediately north of Vina del Mar, about a kilometre of sand backed by a steep slope that has been built up over four decades into a near-continuous wall of apartment towers - the density is the defining fact about the place, and it is the most crowded beach in central Chile in January and February. The sand is good and the beach shelves gently at the southern end. There are rock pools at the northern end and the road continues to Concon and its dunes. Off season it empties completely and the towers stand mostly dark.

History

The name comes from the Indigenous people who lived here, as Spanish ears heard it; its meaning is uncertain, but it may mean "water well", probably for the estuary of the same name. Since 1994 the town has grown north over coastal wetlands and dunes, and since Concón became a commune in 1995 the two have merged into one built-up area (Wikipedia, Reñaca).

What to look for

• A kilometre of sand under towers - the slope built up over decades.
• The busiest beach in central Chile - in January and February.
• Rock pools at the northern end - below the apartment line.
• A different place off season - empty, with the towers dark.

When to go

December to March; it is deserted otherwise. Half a day.

Good to know

The crowding in peak weeks is extreme and parking is close to impossible. The water is cold. The development is what it is - visitors looking for an unspoiled coast should go north past Concon. Prices in season are high.

Nearby

Vina del Mar is south; Concon and its dunes are north.