Pichilemu

Where to stay

Budget beds cluster along the main drag of Avenida Ortuzar and the streets immediately behind it, within walking distance of the wooden railway station and the Agustín Ross Cultural Centre. Staying here keeps you close to the town’s food stalls, surf shops, and the bus stop. The northern end near Puntilla beach is quieter and closer to beginner waves, while the southern stretch toward Punta Lobos is where the serious surfers and their gear shops congregate.

Getting around

• Buses from Santiago's Terminal Alameda take about three and a half hours. Insist on the route via Melipilla, as the alternative through San Fernando is significantly longer and less direct for the same destination.
• Punta Lobos is one of the few world-class point breaks in the Southern Hemisphere, but it is not for beginners. If you are new to surfing, stick to the more forgiving waves at Puntilla beach, where most surf schools operate and equipment rental is widely available.
• Cash is king for small purchases. While larger restaurants and surf shops may accept cards, the street vendors selling completos and empanadas, as well as smaller local eateries, often operate on a cash-only basis.

When to go

Hostels are cheapest and easiest to book during the Chilean winter (June through August), when the weather is cooler and rainier, though this is also the prime season for big-wave surfing. Prices spike and beds fill up during the summer holidays of December through February, when domestic tourists flock to the coast for the warmest weather.