Zapallar stands out as a travel destination for its specific coastal paths, protected nature and local history. At Playa de Zapallar, deep-blue water and yellow sand shape the landscape. There are also seaside walks, hiking trails of varying difficulty and historic sites. When planning, you can decide whether to focus on the coast, nature or history.

Coast and Walks

The Rambla Borde Costero runs along the coast of Playa de Zapallar. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful walk among the rocks, sea and beautiful houses. Isla Seca is another specific coastal destination: this large rocky reef lies at the right end of the main bay, and visitors can walk there from Playa de Zapallar. On the Rambla, the route by the sea and its surroundings are the focus; at Isla Seca, the rocky reef itself is the destination of the walk.

Nature and Trails

Cerro de la Cruz was declared a Santuario de la Naturaleza (Nature Sanctuary) in 2023. Its coastal Mediterranean ecosystem is distinguished by a very high degree of endemism. Cerro de la Cruz has a network of marked trails. They guide visitors and are intended to reduce damage to the soil and vegetation.

At Parque El Boldo, Sendero El Cristo and Sendero El Morro differ in duration, difficulty and destination. El Cristo takes 1 hour and 30 minutes, is easy to moderate, and leads to Mirador del Cristo, which overlooks the Bay of Zapallar. El Morro is more challenging and takes 2 hours and 30 minutes. The trail leads to Morro del Francés, the park’s second viewpoint; from there, visitors can see the coast as well as the coastal and Andean mountain ranges. El Morro therefore takes an hour longer and is also the more challenging of the two trails.

Parque El Boldo has a daily visitor capacity, and visits must be booked in advance. Check the booking arrangements before you arrive. At the park entrance is Vivero El Boldo, which promotes the propagation of native species and environmental education. Because of rare species such as Olivillo, Naranjillo and Belloto del Norte, Parque El Boldo is considered a national treasure.

Local History and Architecture

The coastal sector of Zapallar was declared a National Monument in the Zona Típica (Typical Zone) category on December 1, 1989. The history of Caleta de Zapallar dates back to 1847, when the area was declared a small port for trade and coastal shipping and belonged to the Hacienda Catapilco of Olegario Ovalle Vicuña. A later landmark is Iglesia de Zapallar, built from stone and concrete in 1927.

Zapallar Cemetery can also be reached on foot from Zapallar by following the coast. Together with the area’s architectural and port history, it offers another point of interest for visitors who want to include local history in their trip as well as walks.

Getting There and Planning Your Trip

Buses run regularly to Zapallar from Santiago’s bus terminals. Check departure times before you travel. One suggested itinerary goes from Santiago via Maitencillo and Zapallar to Papudo. The bus services provide a guide to getting there; the suggested itinerary offers an additional sequence to help with planning.

Discover more destinations: La Ligua, Papudo.

For the broader travel overview: Petorca.