Bahia Inglesa is said to be Chile's most beautiful beach. So, why not head there on a long weekend, take an extra 2 days of vacation and enjoy the beach and sounds of the ocean?
Luckily Lan was running a sale for national flights so we snagged round trip tickets for about $60 each. Located about 800 kilometers north of Santiago, we took a direct flight to Copiapó (famous for the mining accident) and then a short taxi ride to our cabaña at Cabañas Playa Paraiso.
We rolled up to our cabaña after dusk, the notorious Pacific coast clouds had covered the blanket of stars. With salty ocean air, sand between my toes and a cool ocean breeze, I was in paradise. Plus, we had an amazing welcome from the owner Eduardo, he's very friendly and helpful!
Our tropical tiki cabaña was perfect for a romantic beach getaway! Nothing beats a simple breakfast with a dreamy Latin soccer player. Each morning the Pacific clouds slowly folded away from the coast and as they did, the sun shone brilliantly onto the water and sand. Once the rays of sun hit our beach chairs, it was sun bathing time!
Pablo had just finished busy season at work so he needed this escape and well, I didn't need it but I am grateful that we could celebrate my birthday on the beach! We all want to celebrate our birthdays with lots of love, smiles and good food, right? Check, check and check!
For a few years of my childhood we lived in Stuart, Florida and the beach was a constant part of our life. I remember sitting at the water's edge making sand castles, burying my legs and sifting for pretty shells in the shallow water. Chile's ocean water isn't so inviting. Pacific Ocean water is cold! On the count of 3-2-1-3-2-...okay, GO!
Which type of water entrance do you make? The slow-wader or the all-in diver?
I start with a wade and a few short breaths then, I pick a wave and dive right in. It's so refreshing under the hot desert sun but just so cold.
We swam, dove into the waves and kissed like teenagers. Why is it that water is so calming for the soul but can also be a powerful force of energy that invokes fear? What I do feel is safe, free and happy in the water. My soul finds comfort in the rhythm of the ocean waves, the rippling of water with the sand and the stillness underneath the surface. It's like I'm a kid again, splashing and jumping and all the while laughing at myself for feeling so uninhibited.
And then at night, the sun turns from a hot, watchful eye of energy to a romantic, soft light. Those sunsets each night were magical, just like what I imagine a good-night kiss from my guardian angel would feel like, only that I sense it in my heart. I'm getting to be such a softy these days!
These guys were everywhere on the beach! Unfortunately, the pelicans and vultures beat us to them so there wasn't any fresh crab salad for lunch. What did we eat? Eggs and avocado with toast for breakfast, lunch was rice with a simple salad. Two nights we had a little asado with chicken, beets and peppers on the grill. Simple, semi-camping cooking and it was just right.
We took walks on the beach - long, romantic strolls and on average, saw 4 people a day. Perfect weather, turquoise water and lots of big scallop and clam shells to collect. We really liked staring at the barnacles that covered the buoys; some were still alive and slowly stuck out their slimy muscle from their black weathered shell. At one restaurant we even saw people eating them. That's too gross for me.
Along one short stretch of the 4 km beach we walked through this red algae and it smelled like dirty ocean and a bit of dead fish. Not pleasant but it was so pretty!
"Ostiones vivos" Of course I didn't know that live scallops meant still ALIVE. I just thought that was the Chilean way of saying fresh scallops. Nope. Those translucent, buttery, delicious scallops started pulsing. Since their only defense system is pushing air between their two shells to propel them across the ocean floor, they were trying.
I ate one and Pablo goes, "you know those are alive and moving, right?" WHAT. NO. I played it cool though and said, "Yeah, I know...wait, WHAT?"
And then I saw it. The pulsing white muscle. One was a fighter. I squeezed the juice from a whole lemon onto that one and let it sit for a while so I'd forget which one it was. Yes, I ate them all and each one was so incredibly good!
The famous Bahia Inglesa beach! We actually never swam here, it wasn't hot enough to take the plunge. We did enjoy the view with a few Pisco Sours at a beachside restaurant. Even though it was Easter weekend, the tiny tourist part of town was not too busy. I'd recommend going in late March to avoid the massive summer crowds but still take advantage of good beach weather.
Should you go to Bahia Inglesa for the beach? Imagine you're in the middle of a desert, surrounded by pink and orange mountains with sandy hills for a landscape and then a bright blue and turquoise bay shines under the hot northern Chile sun. Plus, fresh scallops are more abundant than bread!
Once again, I'm fascinated by the striking natural landscape in Chile. Mountains, arid desert and sparkling ocean waters combine to give us this beautiful beach getaway. Yes, I'd go again!
