Bahía Inglesa, Caldera, Atacama Region, Chile 🌅

🏄‍♂️ Activities in Bahía Inglesa: An Adventure for Every Traveler 🚣‍♀️

🌴 From crystal-clear beaches to desert trails, Bahía Inglesa is a destination full of adventures waiting to be discovered. Here are the most popular activities you can enjoy:

🏊‍♂️ Swimming in Paradisiacal Beaches

Immerse yourself in the warm waters of beaches such as La Piscina, Las Machas, Blanca, and El Chuncho. Observe fish, starfish, and other marine animals in this natural setting.

🐠 Underwater Exploration: Diving

Discover reefs, algae, sponges, and historic shipwrecks by diving into the depths of Bahía Inglesa, a submarine world full of biodiversity.

🎣 Sport Fishing

For fishing enthusiasts, Bahía Inglesa offers species such as mahi-mahi, flounders, and bilagay. Fishing from the shore or by boat is an unforgettable experience.

🏄 Surfing: Riding the Waves

Surf at iconic spots like Las Machas, Rodillo, and Flamenco. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, the waves of Bahía Inglesa await you.

🚣‍♂️ Kayaking

Explore the bay by kayak, approach islands like Isla Chata or Isla Pan de Azúcar, and enjoy unique marine landscapes.

🥾 Hiking: Discover the Desert

Walk through dunes and hills, observe the world's largest dune, and discover prehistoric paintings and astonishing rock formations.

🦜 Bird Watching

With species such as pelicans, flamingos, and albatrosses, Bahía Inglesa is a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts.

🏛️ Historical and Cultural Sites in Bahía Inglesa 🎨

🌊 Bahía Inglesa is not only a natural beauty destination but also a place rich in history and culture. Discover some of its hidden treasures:

• ⚓ The Legacy of the Corsair Edward Davis: In 1687, the English corsair Edward Davis visited the bay with his ship Bachelor, leaving his name engraved on a rock. Since then, the place has been known as "Puerto del Inglés".
• ⛪ Church of San Vicente de Paul: Inaugurated in 1862, this neo-Gothic style church in Caldera, Chile, stands out for its wooden structure. The design, inspired by French architect Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, features a triangular atrium supported by Doric columns and a naturally lit interior through fourteen windows. It houses sacred images, including that of San Vicente de Paul and a Virgin of Sorrows believed to be brought from Peru, as well as a parish museum displaying ancient pre-Hispanic and liturgical objects.
• 🦖 Caldera Paleontological Museum: Just 10 minutes from Bahía Inglesa, this museum exhibits fossils of extinct marine animals, including the "Josefina" whale that lived almost 10 million years ago, with its skull recognized as the largest fossil in South America.
• 🌸 The Flowering Desert: An impressive natural phenomenon where rains transform the desert into a blooming garden. This spectacle occurs occasionally between September and December, depending on climatic conditions.

🏨 Accommodations in Bahía Inglesa: Find Your Perfect Place 🌅

🌴 Explore a variety of accommodation options in Bahía Inglesa, from luxurious hotels to cozy campgrounds. Here are some recommendations for all budgets:

🏖️ Rocas de Bahía Hotel

This four-star hotel, located in front of La Piscina beach, offers rooms with sea views, a swimming pool, and a restaurant. Accommodation options include the Rocas Matrimonial Suite at $345 USD (approx. $295,000 CLP), Single Matrimonial Superior at $163 USD (approx. $139,000 CLP), and Double Matrimonial Standard Superior at $191 USD (approx. $163,000 CLP) per night.

🏡 Bahía Inglesa Houses

Ideal for groups or families, these cabins offer a fully equipped kitchen and a private bathroom, located 200 meters from La Piscina beach. Rates: House No. 10 at $184 USD (approx. $159,990 CLP) and House No. 33 at $115 USD (approx. $99,990 CLP) per night during high season.

🏕️ Bahía Inglesa Beach Club Camping

Camping at Las Machas beach with shaded plots, tables, benches, grills, and power outlets. Contact directly for rates and availability.

🛏️ El Faro Hostel

In Caldera, this hostel offers an indoor pool and shared kitchen. Standard Double Room from $89 USD (approx. $77,346 CLP) and Studio Apartment with sea views from $160 USD (approx. $138,793 CLP) per night.

🍽️ Gastronomy in Bahía Inglesa: Flavors of the Sea 🌊 and Chilean Tradition 🇨🇱

The cuisine of Bahía Inglesa is known for its fresh seafood 🐟 and the rich Chilean culinary tradition 🍲. From delicious fish and shellfish to dishes such as Lomo Saltado and empanadas 🥟, here are some restaurant recommendations:

🍣 Punto de Referencia Restaurant

Specializing in sushi and seafood delights, this restaurant offers a varied menu with excellent value for money. Located on Miramar Street, you can expect to spend around $15 per person.

🍲 El Plateao Restaurant

With a menu full of Chilean traditions, here you can taste ceviches, risottos, and crab pie in a typical setting. Located in front of Las Piscinas Beach, the average cost is $20 per person.

🥩 El Bahía Grill Restaurant

Offering a mix of international dishes, meats, and salads, this restaurant features a terrace overlooking the sea 🌅 and a selection of Chilean wines 🍷. Located in front of La Piscina Beach, the average price is $25 per person.

🍴 El Coral Restaurant

Focusing on gourmet dishes made from local products, enjoy meals such as baked salmon and gratinated scallops. With panoramic views of the bay and sophisticated decor, it is located 100 meters from La Piscina Beach and the average price is $20 per person.

📍 How to Get to Bahía Inglesa?

🏖️ Bahía Inglesa is located on the coast of the Atacama region, in northern Chile. There are various ways to reach this destination, depending on your starting point and mode of transportation. Here are some options:

✈️ By Plane

If you are traveling from Santiago de Chile or another city within the country, you can take a flight to Copiapó Airport, which is just 25 minutes by car 🚗 from Bahía Inglesa. Several airlines offer regular flights, such as LATAM and Sky. Ticket prices may vary depending on the season and demand, but typically range around 35,000 CLP (approximately $40 USD) per way.

🚌 By Bus

If you prefer to travel by land, you can take a bus to Caldera, which is just 10 minutes by car 🚗 from Bahía Inglesa. Several bus companies offer daily services from Santiago de Chile and other cities in the country, such as Pullman Bus, Tur Bus, and Condor Bus. Ticket prices may vary depending on the season and demand, but typically range around 35,000 CLP (approximately $40 USD) per way.

🚗 By Car

If you have your own vehicle or wish to rent one, you can drive to Bahía Inglesa via Route 5 North, the main highway 🛣️ in the country. The travel time will depend on your starting point and traffic conditions, but here are some approximate references:

• 🌆🚗🛣️ From Santiago de Chile: 871 kilometers, ⏰ 9-10 hours.
• 🌊🚗🛣️ From La Serena: 402 kilometers, ⏰ 4 hours.
• 🏜️🚗🛣️ From Antofagasta: 471 kilometers, ⏰ 5 and a half hours.
• 🏞️🚗🛣️ From Copiapó: 73 kilometers, ⏰ 50 minutes.
• 🏖️🚗🛣️ From Caldera: 5 kilometers, ⏰ 10 minutes.

📅 Best Time to Visit Bahía Inglesa

🌞 With a temperate and dry climate, Bahía Inglesa is a pleasant destination throughout the year. However, each season has its own unique characteristics. Here is a guide on when to visit:

Summer (December - March) ☀️

With temperatures ranging from 15°C to 24°C, it is the most popular season. Ideal for marine 🏊‍♂️ and outdoor activities 🏖️, but also the busiest. It is recommended to book accommodation and transportation in advance.

Autumn (April - June) 🍂

With cooler weather, ranging from 12°C to 21°C, it is a quiet time, perfect for those looking to avoid crowds. However, some services may be limited.

Winter (July - September) ❄️

Temperatures vary between 9°C and 18°C. Although it is not ideal for swimming, it is the most economical season. Additionally, you might witness the flowering desert phenomenon 🌸 if climatic conditions allow.

Spring (October - November) 🌼

With temperatures from 13°C to 22°C, it is a warm and colorful time, ideal for enjoying nature. However, there may be more wind 🌬️ and cloudiness ☁️.

🎒 What to Pack for Bahía Inglesa?

Bahía Inglesa offers many possibilities for fun and relaxation 🌴, but you should also be prepared for its specific climatic and geographical conditions. Here are some suggestions on what to bring in your suitcase:

👚 Clothing and Footwear

We recommend bringing comfortable and light clothing, preferably made of cotton or linen, to protect you from the sun ☀️ and heat. It is windy in the evenings 🌬️, so we suggest a windbreaker. Also, consider bringing a coat or jacket 🧥 for the cooler nights or days. For footwear, we advise sandals 👡 for the beach, and sneakers 👟 or boots for the desert or mountains 🏜️.

🕶️ Accessories

Don't forget to bring a hat or cap 🧢, sunglasses 🕶️, sunscreen ☀️, and a first aid kit 🩹. We also recommend carrying a backpack 🎒 or a waterproof bag to protect your belongings, a water bottle 💧, and some snacks 🍏 to stay hydrated and nourished throughout the day.

📷 Equipment

If you plan to engage in specific activities like diving 🤿, surfing 🏄, kayaking 🛶, or fishing 🎣, consider bringing your own equipment or renting it on-site. We also suggest bringing a camera 📸 or a smartphone 📱 to capture the best moments of your trip, and binoculars 🦜 or a telescope 🔭 for bird and star gazing 🌌.