Puchuncavi

Puchuncaví is a town of approximately 15,000 in the Valparaíso Region, 35 km north of Viña del Mar. It is a rural town surrounded by farmland and coastal hills. The nearby Ventanas sector is an industrial zone with a copper smelter and thermoelectric plant. The coast has several beaches popular with Valparaíso residents.

By Plane

Arturo Merino Benítez Airport (SCL) in Santiago is 120 km southeast. Buses from Viña del Mar run regularly (1 hr, CLP 2,000).

By Car / Road

From Viña del Mar, take Route F-20 north for 35 km (35 min). Paved road.

Local taxis connect Puchuncaví centre with the Ventanas beach sector. Walking is possible within the town centre.

• Plaza de Armas: the main square with a 19th-century church.

• Ventanas: the coastal beach sector, 5 km west.

• Beach visits: Playa Ventanas and Playa La Boca are popular.

• Hiking: the surrounding hills have short trails.

• Restaurante El Valle (mid-range): Chilean food. Mains CLP 6,000–11,000.
• Cocinería La Picá (budget): empanadas. Mains CLP 3,000–5,000.

Tap water is safe. A few simple bars in Ventanas serve beer and wine.

• Budget: Hostal Puchuncaví (shared CLP 10,000).
• Mid-range: Cabañas Ventanas (cabins near the beach, CLP 35,000–50,000).

• Almacenes Puchuncaví: small general stores on the main street.

• Quintero (15 km west, 15 min): beach town.
• Viña del Mar (35 km south, 35 min): beach resort.
• Concón (30 km south, 30 min): surfing town.
• Valparaíso (40 km south, 40 min): historic port.