Think: Sleepy fishing village meets International Surf Mecca
Pichilemu is not quite on the gringo trail, but visitors from Chile and abroad quickly
take to this rapidly growing town.
Getting around is really easy, the people are friendly, the prices are reasonable,
the beaches are big and easily accessible,and every year there are more interesting
restaurants with varied cuisine. Due to it being the #1 surfing destination in Chile
there is a delightful mix of international visitors and Chilean tourists.
There is not much by way of luxury accommodation, a few high-end places, several mid-range
and lots of not-so-nice but cheap places (especially outside of Jan and Feb)
Pichilemu is 3.5 hours by bus from the Terminal Alameda in Santiago, or 2 hours by bus from San Fernando.
Make sure to take the bus via Melipilla from Santiago, it's much shorter than the San Fernando/Santa Cruz Route.
Getting to Pichilemu by car is fairly easy and faster than the bus.
Big Wave Surf Contest. Several times in the year there are contests held at Punta de Lobos. Every April/May there is a big-wave paddle-in International Contestedit
18 Septiembre Celebrations. Pichilemu goes crazy for the fiestas patrias. There are traditional games, food, music, and dancing all day and all night.edit
Pichilemu Language School, Calle Anibal Pinto 21 3rd floor (In center next to stoplight and Copec station), ☎ 005672842449, [1]. 9-7 mon-friday. Spanish and English language school. They teach English to the locals and have an extensive Spanish program for foreigners. The atmosphere is relaxed and intimate, but it's very much a professional institute with the ability to certify Spanish undergrad courses for US college students and prepare others for the DELE exam. websites: http://www.studyspanishchile.com and http://www.inglespichilemu.com Students can take a few private classes to help them with the travels up to months of intensive group and private study. edit
Surfing Classes, (Puntilla and Punta Lobos). Both beaches have several surf schools. You can take classes that include rental and snacks with professional surfers, or rent equipment and attempt the waves on your own$15-20 USD. edit
Hike, and Bike, and Wine Tours, Pichilemu and Santa Cruz, [2]. At the Pichilemu Language School you can get information about mountain biking in Pichilemu and Hike, Bike, and Wine tours in nearby Santa Cruz (Colchagua Valley, 75 minutes drive from Pichilemu). Most tours finish with wine tastings in one or two of the wineries. Trails for mountain biking (maps and videos) can be found at http://SenderosDePichilemu.blogspot.com. Also http://www.chileolas.comedit
La Roca Restaurant, Av, Comercio 2865 (A few kilometer south of Pichilemu center on the road towards Bucalemu), ☎ 09 - 6705549. A good restaurant with a view over the ocean. edit
Casa Roja, Avenida Ortuzar 215, ☎ 005672841555. 12-4 and 8-12. Italian food and seafood, pizzas, pastas, and great pisco sours. In center of town.edit
La Loba Restautant, Camino Punta de Lobos (1/2 km from the turn off), [3]. Leonor is the most welcoming host around, amazing food, lots of organic and homemade options. a little pricy for pichilemu but worth it!edit
Cabanas Buena Vista, Cerro La Cruz (corner of Calle Norte and Calle Pichilemu) (tell any taxi - de la piscina por arriba), ☎ 005672842488, [4]. checkin: 1:00; checkout: 2:00. Quaint cabins with English/Spanish speaking owners in a beautiful and quiet setting on the hill outside town. A 15-min walk from beaches and center. Cabins are fully equipped and have great views, a fire pit, gardens, terraces, and organic chicken eggs. http://www.cabanasbuenavista.com(34.23'51.84 S,72.00'51.40 W)edit
Surfarm Pichilemu, Cahuil (Take a taxi from Pichilemu to Cahuil and tell them to head to the Ex-Fondo Cahuil. You'll see a sign for the Surfarm.), ☎ +56(9)84420261, [5]. checkin: 12:00; checkout: 6:00pm. Beautiful new, clean hostel right outside of town. Located on the beach with English/Spanish/German speaking owners. Fresh, homemade breakfast.edit
Surf Eat Sleep Hostel, ☎ 85065577, [6]. Hostel in the center of Pichilemu with beds from 6000 CLP/Night. For Bookings & Information surfeatsleepchile@gmail.com(+569) 85065577edit