North Coast Tour: Maitencillo, Cachagua and Zapallar
Full day · 7 hours · Private tour with driver and guide · 09:30 pickup at your hotel
- 7 hours
- Full day
- Private
- English-speaking guide
- Humboldt penguins
North of Viña del Mar the coastline changes character: dunes, cliffs, small bays of clear water and seaside villages of wooden houses set among forest. This is the north coast of the Valparaíso region, one of central Chile’s most beautiful stretches of shore and still little known to foreign visitors.
On this private full-day tour we follow the coast road from Concón to Zapallar. We pass the Mantagua dune field, stop in the village of Maitencillo, walk to the lookout over Cachagua Island — a refuge for Humboldt penguins and a small colony of sea otters — and end in Zapallar, with its grand seafront houses surrounded by gardens and woodland, where there’s free time for lunch and a stroll.
What you’ll do on this tour
- Pickup at your hotel in Valparaíso or Viña del Mar at 09:30.
- Concón and the Mantagua dunes: vast stretches of sand shaped by the wind.
- Maitencillo: a small, welcoming resort on the Pacific, with houses and cabins on the hillsides.
- Cachagua: a visit to Las Cujas beach, tucked into a bay of crystal-clear water.
- Cachagua Island lookout: a walk to the viewpoint to watch the Humboldt penguin colony and the seabirds.
- Zapallar: the most elegant resort on the coast, with free time for lunch and a walk along the paths above the beach.
- Return to your hotel in the afternoon.
What’s included / Not included
What’s included
- Private vehicle with driver
- English- or Spanish-speaking guide
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Valparaíso or Viña del Mar
- Stops at viewpoints and beaches along the route
Not included
- Lunch (free time in Zapallar)
- Meals and drinks
- Personal expenses and gratuities
Tour details
| Duration | 7 hours |
|---|---|
| Departure time | 09:30 |
| Starting point | Your hotel in Valparaíso or Viña del Mar |
| Languages | English and Spanish |
| Type of service | Private: vehicle, driver and guide exclusively for your group |
| Group size | 1 to 44 passengers, with a vehicle sized to your group |
| What to bring | Comfortable shoes for the walk to the lookout, a windbreaker, sunscreen and a hat |
Private service: the price is calculated per vehicle according to your group size. Send us your date and number of travellers and we’ll send an exact quote.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see penguins all year round?
Cachagua Island is a permanent refuge for Humboldt penguins and they can be seen from the lookout throughout the year, although numbers vary by season. We bring binoculars.
Is lunch included?
No. In Zapallar there’s free time for lunch on your own at one of the seafront restaurants; your guide will recommend options.
How much walking is there?
The main walk is to the Cachagua Island lookout, a short and easy trail. The rest are brief stops at beaches and viewpoints.
Is it a good tour for families?
Yes: it combines beaches, dunes and wildlife with little physical effort, and the pace adapts to your group because the service is private.
Can we do it from Santiago?
Yes, with an extended schedule. Message us and we’ll quote a departure from your hotel in Santiago.
Book your private tour
Send us your date and group size. We reply the same day with the price and availability.