Chile - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 422

forest. “Pichi”, as it's known, was
originally planned as an upmarket
vacation spot by the local land baron
Agustín Ross Edwards, though in recent
years it's become ever more popular
with a motley crew of surfers and local
beach bums.

catching the powerful, consistent left
break just beyond.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
By bus The main Terminal Municipal is located on Millaco,
at Los Alerces, though unless you're staying in Pichi's
southeastern quarter it's more convenient to disembark at
the bus stop on Angel Gaete. There are hourly departures
to Santiago (daily 4.30am-6.40pm; about 3hr 30min;
Buses Cruz Mar and Buses Nilahue stop in Santa Cruz and
Rancagua). Buy your ticket at the bus o ces on Angel
Gaete at Aníbal Pinto, and catch them at the bus stop on
Santa María, four blocks northeast.
Spanish school Pichilemu Languages Institute ( T 72
2842449, W studyspanishchile.com) offers short- and
longer-term Spanish classes.
Tourist information There is a helpful booth on Angel
Gaete, between Montt and Rodríguez (Mon-Fri 8am-1pm
& 2.30-7pm; W pichilemu.cl), which gives out maps of
town and can help with accommodation.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
A spread-out town, Pichilemu has
numerous guesthouses and places to eat
concentrated along the east-west Avenida
Ortúzar, and the north-south Aníbal
Pinto, a couple of blocks from the sea.

Playa Las Terrazas
Avenida Costanera Cardenal Caro runs
alongside the black-sand expanse of
Playa Las Terrazas , Pichilemu's principal
beach. Good for both sunbathers and
surfers, it has a cluster of places to eat
and surf schools concentrated towards its
southern end, at the rocky promontory
of La Puntilla. Steps lead up to the
meticulously landscaped Parque Ross ,
dotted with palm trees and boasting an
excellent view of the coast.

ACCOMMODATION
Hostal Casa Verde Camino Vecinal 295, opposite
Dunamar Cabanas, on Playa Hermosa Pasaje San Alfonso
s/n; walk up the track opposite Verde Mar supermarket,
T 9 92998866, T 9 81291274, W hostalcasaverde.cl.
About 3km from town, this small but popular hostel has
good breakfasts, surfin g classes, fr ee bike r ental, and a
chilled-out vibe. Dorms CH$12,000 , doubles CH$34,000
Hotel Chile España Av Ortúzar 255 T 72 2841270,
W chileespana.cl. Smart, central guesthouse with clean
and comfortable rooms; brea kfast is inclu ded and there's
a pleasant patio area. Doubles CH$50,000
La Higuera Angel Gaete 467 T 72 2841321. This long-
standing guesthouse in town has a messy-looking court-
yard with basic rooms but i it is well lo cated just up from the
bus drop-off point. Dorms CH$7000

4

Punta de Lobos
Chile's most famous wave, Punta de
Lobos , where the National Surfing
Championships are held every summer,
can be found 6km south of downtown
Pichilemu; to get there, take a colectivo
along Jorge Errázuriz (CH$800), or cycle
down Comercio until you reach the
turn-off towards the coast and make your
way to the end of the jutting, cactus-
studded headland. At the tip of the
promontory, intrepid surfers descend via
a steep dirt path before swimming across
the short churning stretch of water to
Las Tetas , the distinctive sea stacks, and

EATING, DRINKING AND NIGHTLIFE
El Balaustro Av Ortúzar 289. Conveniently located, two-
tiered pub which serves excellent lunchtime specials, both
meat and fish, and has nightly drinks deals. Set lunch
CH$4900.

SURF'S UP!
Budding surfers wanting to get in on the action can hone their skills with the help of several
surfing schools:
Lobos del Pacífico Av Costanera T 9 5062127,
W lobosdelpacifico.cl. Experienced surfing instructor
charges CH$12,000 per lesson (2hr 30min), which
includes board and wetsuit rental. Equipment rental
alone costs CH$8000.

Manzana 54 Surf School Av Costanera, next to
Waitara Restaurant T 9 5745984, W manzana54.cl.
Professional surf school and equipment rental offering
lessons for CH$18,000 (2hr), all equipment included.
Equipment rental alone is CH$7000-8000 for a full day.