Choapa Province: Coastal Landscapes, Nature and Culture

Coastal wetlands and birdlife, waterfalls, rock carvings and regional tastings give Choapa Province many different sides. When planning your trip, it makes a difference whether you want to focus on nature experiences, cultural history or the coast: the destinations are spread across different towns and municipalities in the province. Choosing a focus can help you select the right area to search for a holiday rental.

Nature between the coast, river and valley

A special natural area is the Reserva Nacional Las Chinchillas in the municipality of Illapel. The reserve covers 4,229 hectares and was established on 30 November 1983. The Sendero Rumpiato within it is 720 metres long, easy to walk and takes about 45 minutes in total. Its manageable length and stated duration offer a practical guide for planning your day if you want to include a nature visit in your trip. The almost year-round clear skies in the Illapel Valley are also notable and make it suitable for observing the cosmos.

On the coast lies Humedal Urbano Pichidangui, a coastal ecosystem with resident and non-resident birds. Walking trails run through the area. This offers a different nature experience from the reserve near Illapel: here, the focus is on the wetland and birdlife, while the reserve offers a vast protected area and a short walking circuit. The small Iglesia Santa Teresa is also in Pichidangui. Its architecture and location beside the coastal rock formations make the chapel another point of cultural interest in the municipality of Los Vilos.

Water also shapes some destinations inland. The Tacitas de Quelén is a waterfall on the Estero Quelén that forms three pools. Salto Los González is formed by a tributary of the Río González; a moderately difficult trekking route leads there. If you are looking for an active hike, you can consider this route a different kind of nature experience from the easy-to-walk Sendero Rumpiato. No walking time or route length is specified for the trekking route.

Rock art, history and activity

There are numerous petroglyphs around Salamanca, associated with the presumed boundary between the cultures of Norte Chico and those of the Aconcagua Valley and central Chile. The one-day Ruta de Arte Rupestre en Salamanca takes visitors to see petroglyphs. In the Valle de Quilimarí, the Petroglifos de Culimo are archaeological rock carvings associated with the Diaguita or Diaguita-Inca cultures that inhabited the valley and its surroundings. Trekking, cycling tourism and heritage photography are possible activities there.

Another option for a bike ride is the Ruta en Bicicleta – Valle de Chalinga: it is a moderately difficult circular route with paved and unpaved sections. The combination of different surfaces and moderate difficulty are useful considerations if you would like to include cycling in your trip. A different route profile is offered by the approach to Isla de Lobos, which starts at Quebrada de Quereo and follows a dirt and sand track suitable for trekking and cycling tourism. A colony of about 1,500 South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) lives on the island.

The province’s architectural and agricultural history also forms part of its character. Near Huentelauquén stands the old Amolanas Viaduct: it is 106 metres high and has three arches. It is considered Chile’s highest viaduct and one of South America’s highest, as well as an engineering landmark of the 1950s. The Illapel Valley is home to large hacienda estates that remain in very good condition.

Regional flavours and traditions

For wine tastings, Viña Arnaud Faupin in Coirón offers tastings led by the producer. Viña Mallacún in Quelén Alto produces local pisco and offers guided tastings. Both destinations add a culinary focus to your trip, but showcase different regional products. At Caleta de Pescadores de Pichidangui, fresh seafood and homemade seafood empanadas are on offer; boat trips to a nearby island are also available from there.

Religious tradition is reflected in the Fiesta del Señor de la Tierra, considered the most important religious festival in Choapa Province and attended by about 3,000 pilgrims. A celebration in honour of Saint John is held in Arboleda Grande in the Valle de Chalinga, 8 kilometres east of Salamanca. During the celebration, his image is carried in a procession to the banks of the Chalinga River. If you choose these cultural experiences or nature destinations as your focus, you can consider the places mentioned when looking for a suitable holiday rental. More destinations in the province: Provincia Elqui, Provincia Limarí.

For the broader travel overview: Región De Coquimbo.