Cardenal Caro Province brings together a variety of travel experiences: surfing and coastal wildlife watching at Punta de Lobos, protected nature near Litueche, and crafts and salt production around Pichilemu.

Punta de Lobos: Surfing and Coastal Wildlife

Punta de Lobos is designated a “World Surfing Reserve.” Surf schools offer beginner lessons in surfing, bodyboarding and windsurfing. If you are looking for lessons, these three types of courses provide a useful starting point; check in advance what is currently on offer. Punta de Lobos is also suited to nature photography and observing coastal wildlife, thanks to its variety of seabirds. This lets you combine a focus on surfing with an interest in wildlife, without conflating the two.

Punta de Lobos is 6 km south of Pichilemu bus station. You can get there by local shared taxi, taxi, private vehicle or bicycle. These transport options offer different ways to make the journey; which one suits you depends on your own travel plans.

The Nature Reserve near Litueche

The Piedra del Viento y Topocalma Nature Reserve is located in Litueche. Its protected features include the Topocalma wetland, marine and coastal biodiversity, dunes and the coastal area. The reserve also includes surf zones suitable for sporting activities. Both coastal habitats and the surf are therefore central here. This natural area is a distinct aspect of the province, separate from the surf lessons at Punta de Lobos.

Architecture, Ceramics and Salt near Pichilemu

In Pichilemu’s Barrio Ross, European-influenced architecture and its designation as a “Zona Típica” come together. Those interested in architectural heritage can discover the area from a different perspective than its water sports and nature offerings. In Pañul, ceramics are another local hallmark: the clay used is sourced in the same area. The material and the craft are thus directly connected.

Salt production can also be explored as a cultural theme. Near Pichilemu, visitors can learn about the traditional salt-making process at the Salinas de Cáhuil. This offers a distinct insight into a local tradition, different from architecture and ceramics.

Local Cuisine and Getting to Matanzas

In the Pañul sector, the tenth edition of the Fiesta de las Mil Cazuelas de Ave de Campo was held in 2025 as a rural culinary event. It was organized by the Red de Turismo Rural El Encanto; the Pichilemu municipal government funded and supported it. This is a specific connection to regional cuisine and rural events. The tenth edition is part of a look back at 2025 and does not indicate current dates.

Travel to Matanzas from Santiago needs to be planned separately. By car, the route follows Ruta 78 and branches onto Ruta G-60; the journey is over 165 km and takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Alternatively, take a bus to Navidad and continue from there by shared taxi or local bus. The comparison highlights the two routes described: a drive along the roads mentioned, or a bus connection followed by onward travel from Navidad.

Compare the places and routes according to what you want your trip to focus on, rather than combining different themes into a single stop.

Discover more destinations: El Manzano, Pichilemu, Marchihue, Navidad, Paredones, Cachapoal Province, Colchagua Province.

Back to the main travel overview: Libertador General Bernardo O’Higgins Region.