The story
Welcome to one of the most breathtaking stretches of pavement in South America. As we travel along Avenida Borgoño, you are following a winding ribbon of road that hugs the rugged edge of the Pacific, bridging the gap between the garden city of Viña del Mar and the culinary heart of Concón. To one side, the vast, deep blue of the Humboldt Current crashes against the rocks; to the other, ancient sands rise up like golden mountains.
Look up toward the towering Dunas de Concón. These are not just piles of sand; they are a Sanctuary of Nature, geological relics from the Quaternary period that have stood their ground for thousands of years. While modern luxury apartments now crown the ridges, the dunes themselves remain a playground for sandboarders and a silent witness to the changing coastline.
At sunset, these slopes glow with an intense orange hue, mirroring the fire of the sun dipping into the ocean. Now, turn your attention toward the shoreline. This isn’t a flat beach, but a dramatic landscape of jagged granite and hidden tide pools.
Keep your eyes peeled for the Roca Oceánica, a massive promontory that juts into the sea. This is a premier spot for birdwatching, but the real stars of the show are the South American sea lions. You’ll often hear them before you see them—a chorus of deep, guttural barks rising above the roar of the surf.
These massive lobos marinos love to bask on the flat rocks, soaking up the afternoon sun while the spray of the Pacific cools their fur. As we approach the heart of Concón, the scent of the salt air begins to mingle with something savory. You are entering the Gastronomic Capital of Chile.
This region is famous for its picadas—local eateries serving the freshest seafood you can imagine. We are nearing Caleta Higuerillas, a working fishing cove where colorful wooden boats bob in the harbor. Every morning, fishermen bring in the day’s haul: reineta, congrio, and the prized loco, or Chilean abalone.
If you have the chance, stop for a hot empanada de mariscos; it is the local way of life. Whether you are here for the thrill of the surf at Playa La Boca or a quiet moment watching the anemones in a tide pool, Avenida Borgoño offers a sensory map of the Chilean coast. It is a place where the force of the ocean meets the stillness of the desert, and where every curve in the road reveals a new story of the sea.
Breathe in that sharp, briny air and let the rhythm of the waves guide you forward.