Quintero

Quintero is a coastal city of approximately 25,000 in the Valparaíso Region, 25 km north of Viña del Mar. It has a large bay with two beaches — Playa Quintero and Playa Larga — and a working port and industrial zone that includes an oil refinery and thermoelectric plants. The city has been in the news for pollution issues but remains a popular summer beach destination.

By Plane

Arturo Merino Benítez Airport (SCL) in Santiago is 120 km southeast. Buses from Valparaíso run every 30 minutes (45 min, CLP 1,500).

By Car / Road

From Viña del Mar, take the coastal road north for 25 km (30 min). Paved road.

Local taxis and buses cover the town. The beachfront is walkable.

• Playa Quintero: a wide beach sheltered by a peninsula.

• Playa Larga: a longer, more exposed beach south of town.

• Costanera: the seafront with a promenade and food stalls.

• Swimming: the bay beaches are safe for swimming.

• Windsurfing: the bay has good wind conditions.

• Dune walking: the dunes at the north end of Playa Larga.

• Restaurante La Playa (mid-range): seafood. Mains CLP 7,000–14,000.
• Cocinería El Puerto (budget): fried fish. Mains CLP 3,000–6,000.

Tap water is safe. Several seafront kiosks and bars serve beer and piscolas with a sea view.

• Budget: Hostal Quintero (shared CLP 10,000).
• Mid-range: Hotel Bahía (private CLP 35,000–50,000).

• Mercado de Quintero: a small market near the port with fresh fish and produce.
• Almacenes de la Costanera: general stores for basics.

• Viña del Mar (25 km south, 30 min): beach resort.
• Concón (15 km south, 15 min): surfing town.
• Puchuncaví (15 km east, 15 min): rural town.
• Valparaíso (30 km south, 35 min): historic port.