Algarrobo

This area was named Algarrobo, because here there was a grove of "Algarrobos", a typical tree of Central Chile.

In 1854, this place was a cove, and later it was changed into a small port.

In the beginning, La Candelaria church was an important building, built in 1837 and declared National Monument in 1986.

The first person that built a house in Algarrobo, near the church, was the grandparents of President Jose Manuel Balmaceda. A famous person that visited the place was priest Alberto Hurtado, who later founded "Hogar de Cristo" (this is a charity organization that helps poor people), and Juanita Fernandez del Solar, known as the saint Teresita de Los Andes. After this, many people started to come to Algarrobo and built their houses. But the most important person that lived here was Carlos Alessandri Altamirano, he was the founder of this resort.

One of the most important places in Algarrobo is "Las Cadenas" Beach, this is the most crowded beach and it is located in front of the shopping centre of the town. Other beaches in Algarrobo are "El Canelo" and "El Canelillo", these have white sands, quiet water surrounded by a lot of vegetation, because "El Canelo" Park is located here.

Finally on 21st November 1945 it was created the City Council.

The principal attractions in Algarrobo are the building of City Council, a colonial style construction, the Cultural House, "La Candelaria" Church, "La Media Luna de San Jose" ( a place to perform one of Chile's typical sport consisting of horse and cow riding), the fishermen Cove and the "Yacht Club Algarrobo", the last one located next to "San Pedro" Beach.

El Quisco

The name of this place was taken from a type of cactus called "Quisco", "khishka" this word is from the "quechua" language (the language of native people of northern Chile and Peru).

El Quisco County includes the localities of Isla Negra, Punta de Tralca and El Totoral. This area has a long artistic and traditional history, because this is the place where the Chilean Poets Pablo Neruda lived (Isla Negra), Vicente Huidobro (Cartagena) and Nicanor Parra (Las Cruces).

In El Quisco you can find restaurants, hotels, motels, cottages, shops, banks and other services. It also has the Yacht Club, the pier and fishermen cove, where is possible to find fresh fishes and sea food. The beach in El Quisco is a beautiful and long beach, good for bathing and practicing nautical sports.

Punta de Tralca

This village is located south of El Quisco. Few people live here, but is a tourist place because has a beautiful landscape. This site is a good place for gathering, it is a Centre of religious and political Conventions. This place was called "Trueno" that means Thunder, because the beach finishes in a rocky corner where sea crushes with rocks. In Punta de Tralca can be found sculptures of granite made by a famous French artist, he was inspired in the "Canto General" poems of Pablo Neruda. This place is called "Conjunto Escultorico Cantalao", and it is the property of Neruda's Foundation. This is a place of free access.

Isla Negra

This is a fishermen village, located south of El Quisco, 130 kilometres south west of Valparaiso. In this village you can find a Hotel and a beautiful beach. It is not recommended for bathing.

Isla Negra was the residence of the Chilean Poet Pablo Neruda, in this village it is possible to find his house, which is an interesting museum. Nowadays, this place is administrated by the Pablo Neruda's Foundation. The house keeps the same decoration when Pablo Neruda lived here. The principal attractions in the house are figureheads "mascarones de proa", masks from West Africa and Easter Island, collections of shells and bottles.

The museum is opened from Tuesday to Sunday. During summer it is opened from 10:00 to 19:00 hours and the rest of the year from 10:00 to 17:00 hours (Thursday and Friday until 16:00 hours). The ticket price is $ 2.400 (US$ 4), students and seniors have an especial price. Also there is an English tour, the price is $ 3.000 (US$ 5).

Isla Negra has three beaches: "Las Conchitas", "Pablo Neruda" and "Las Agatas". These beaches are not good for bathing, but good for walking and enjoying with the family.