9 Best Sights in El Norte Grande, Chile

Just south of the city center on Avenida Balmaceda is Playa Cavancha, a long stretch of white, sandy beach that's great for families and often crowded. You can stroll along the boardwalk and touch the llamas and alpacas at the petting zoo. There's also a walk-through aquarium housing a group of yacares, small crocodiles that inhabit the rivers of Bolivia, Argentina, and Uruguay. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; surfing; swimming.

The most popular beach is Balneario Juan López, a small strip of light sand near the center of town. It can get uncomfortably crowded in summer, but the water is warm and tranquil. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: swimming.

For a relaxed, uncrowded experience, head to the beaches outside town. Picturesque Playa Acapulco is in a small cove north of Balneario Juan López that is popular with snorkelers. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling.

Thirteen km (8 miles) south of the city center on Avenida Balmaceda, Playa Blanca is a sandy spot that you can often have all to yourself and enjoy the active sealife. Amenities: food and drink; parking. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

If you crave privacy, head south on Avenida Balmaceda to Playa Brava, a pretty beach that's often deserted except for young people lighting bonfires in the evening. The currents here are quite strong, so swimming is not recommended. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: sunset; surfing.

The long stretch of Playa Brava is renowned for its consistent waves (which are too strong for swimming) and beautiful sunsets. Amenities: parking. Best for: solitude; sunset; surfing.

The white sands of Playa Chinchorro, 2 km (1 mile) north of the city are popular with families and swimmers. You can also rent Jet Skis in high season. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: swimming.

South of El Morro, Playa El Laucho is the closest to the city, and thus the most crowded. It's also a bit rocky at the bottom, but waters are calm and inviting. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

About 5 km (3 miles) south of Juan López, Playa Rinconada is lauded by locals for its warm water and strong winds that make it popular for windsurfing. Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: windsurfing.