El Faro Beach

El Faro Beach takes its name from the iconic Faro Monumental, the striking lighthouse that stands as La Serena's most recognisable landmark. This elegant white-and-red striped tower marks the beginning of a seemingly endless stretch of white sand that runs south for nearly 6 kilometres along the Avenida del Mar, creating one of the longest continuous beach promenades in Chile. The beach is wide and open, backed by a landscaped boulevard lined with apartment buildings, hotels, and restaurants that give the area a distinctly Mediterranean feel unusual for South America.

The waves at El Faro are gentle enough for families yet interesting enough for beginner surfers and bodyboarders. The water is cool — influenced by the Humboldt Current — but manageable during the summer months when air temperatures climb into the high twenties. Children love the wide, flat stretches of hard-packed sand perfect for running, kite-flying, and building elaborate sandcastles. The lighthouse itself is a popular gathering point, and the area around it features craft markets, food stalls, and street performers during the summer season, creating a festive atmosphere.

La Serena is also Chile's gateway to stargazing tourism, sitting at the edge of the driest desert on Earth where the skies are extraordinarily clear. Several world-class astronomical observatories are within an hour's drive, and many tour operators offer nighttime stargazing excursions that pair perfectly with a daytime beach visit. The city's colonial architecture, Japanese-style gardens, and nearby Valle del Elqui — famous for pisco production and mystical energy — make El Faro Beach the ideal base for exploring one of Chile's most diverse and beautiful regions.