In the North, the Coquimbo Region offers 400 kms of coast with a wide variety of large beaches with white, fine sand.
Towards the South, the Valparaiso Region has many different beaches, fishing coves and the country's most important port.
La Serena, a city with a marked neocolonial architectural style, has its own undeniable image. It always abounds in multicoloured gardens and many beautiful churches, whose bell chiming traces the passage of time. The city's development can clearly be seen on Avenida del Mar, a coastal stretch located only 2 kms from the centre of La Serena. Thanks to the modern streetlighting system this avenue is also an attractive place for a nocturnal stroll. In addition to the city's constant cultural activity, business life is also fervent. Along with handicrafts and typical products from the region, such as pisco and papaws in all their varieties, sold at a good price in the popular "La Recova" market, can be added the trip along the central streets where all kinds of national and imported products can be found. Coquimbo means ``place of calm waters" and its large seaside resorts, among which Penuelas and La Herradura stand out, are its main attraction as well as the entertainment provided by the Casino and the Club Hipico (the local hippodrome) which are both located in Penuelas. Coquimbo and its surroundings take the visitor back to the XVI and XVII centuries with their pirates and filibusters. The Bay of Guayacan, to the south of Coquimb'os port, was discovered by the English corsair, Francis Drake. Around 1578 it was the meeting point and refuge of pirates among whom the names of Sharp and Davis stand out.
Beaches like Pichidangui, which are famous for their perfect conditions for windsurfing, Los Vilos, Tongoy and the sheltered bay of Guanaqueros are prominent coastal points in the region.
New holiday resorts are being developed in Morrillos and ias Tacas. In the heart of the region there is the Valley of Elqui, river made up from tributaries of minor gorges that only provide it with water during the winter, and which reaches the North of the city of La Serena. The main characteristic of the Elqui river basin is the abundance of underground water, which provides productive potential for agriculture. This, along with its mild climate and landscape invoke contemplation due to its peaceful nature. Many esoteric groups have found a place of special interest in this valley. Towards the mountains, following the course of the river, is the vicinity of Vicuna, founded in the posthispanic era around the year 1821. It is a place where the dry mountains meet with the abundant vegetation of the narrow valleys arising out of the passage of the river.
Monte Grande, beloved village of our Nobel Prize winner poet, Gabriela Mistral, is also on the bank of the river Elqui. Here is her grave which she chose when she was alive. The Tololo Hill, on which sits the largest astronomical observatory in the southern hemisphere, is a few kilometres off the road to Vicuna. It is striking to see the Andacollo village, which is a pilgrimage point for its sanctuary, a basilica which lodges the virgin Rosari'os statue brought from Peru in 1676. The Fray Jorge National Park, where cinnamon trees, terebinth shrubs and ferns which cover the tops of its hill survive thanks to the typical mist in the area, is also here.
A modern 120 km road links Santiago to Vina del Mar, known as the "Garden City" for its large green areas and colourful gardens and connected to the fervent market activity in Valparaiso, the main port in Chile. Vina del Mar is also linked to Mendoza and other cities in the Argentine by a paved road that crosses the Aconcagua Valley and the Andes mountain range. This city fuses both the old and the new. Beautiful villas, parks, gardens and mansions, mostly of classical and neogothic styles, reminiscent of the era of the nitrate boom at the beginning of the century. A tour in a "Victoria", an old carriage drawn by horses typical of the city, is good to appreciate thecity's modern architecture. Its 3 castles also stand out: Cerro Castillo castle, the Presidential palace, Wulff castle, currently a museum, and the castle where the Arab Club is lodged. The Fonck Museum and the La Rioja Palace also keep their splendour. This popular city-holiday resort has an excellent and varied tourist infrastructure. There are many hotels, motels, guest houses, restaurants, discotheques, a casino, cinemas and theatres. Furthermore, it is characterized by permanent and rich cultural activity, by its attractive shops, which are mainly concentrated on Valparaiso Avenue, and by the varied entertainment it offers. The open-air stage, where every year in February thousands of people vibrate to the International Song Festival, is in the Quinta Vergara, which is an ideal stroll for tree and garden lovers. It also houses a beautiful Venetian style building, which is the headquarters of the Museum and School of Fine Arts. Another place of interest is the Valparaiso Sporting Club hippodrome.
An attractive coastal road dotted with coves and restaurants, whose specialties are shellfish and fish, viewing points to enjoy the ever changing seascape, and stalls of handicrafts and other products of the region, leads to the Reaca and Con-Con beaches. The former stands out for its long white sandy beach, which in Summer becomes a real carnival of beauty, youth and entertainment. Con-Con has lovely views, a picturesque fishing cove and pleasant beaches. The Charm of Valparais'os port and its unusual architecture make it one of the country's most attractive cities. Open to the sea, European style mansions and thousands of multicoloured houses are to be found among its many hills. The visitor is captivated by the impressive number of streets, narrow passages, steps, attractive places and elevators built more than 100 years ago. This was what fascinated the Chilean poet and Nobel Prize winner, Pablo Neruda. His house, "La Sebastiana", is the place where the poet discovered the magic of the polychromatic city. To visit Valparaiso and "La Sebastiana"is to enter a world that goes beyond reality, a world that comes from the past with all the crazy happiness of the "Belle Epoque". The northern coast of the Valparaiso region displays a variety of beaches.
Exclusive seaside resorts are those of Zapallar and Cachagua which mix the beauty of the landscape with the architectonic tradition in Zapallar and the harmony of style in Cachagua.
Maitencillo stands out for its restaurants which are highly visited throughout the year by the gourmets who enjoy dishes prepared with fish (conger eel, sole, croaker, swordsifh) and shellfish (clams, crabs, razor clams, mussels and "picorocos").
The luxurious and new "Marbella Resort" is in this area, which combines the attractiveness of the country side and the beach.
A nice mediterranean-style hotel surrounded by gardens with a golf course, polo and tennis courts and swimming pools, make it an international tourist resort. The beaches on the Southern coast of Valparaiso, together with the fascination of the sea, offer additional attractions. The pleasant waters and smooth slope of the Algarrobo beach make it a large resort for water sports and international competitions. Every summer El Quisco, El Tabo, Las Cruces, San Sebastian, Cartagena and Llolleo attract thousands of visitors who enjoy the sun, swimming in the sea and youthful games. Rocas de Santo Domingo, quiet and familyoriented, is characterized by its beautiful houses surrounded by parks and gardens as well as a golf club, which is the centre of the social activities.