Feeling Lazy: Walk Along Avenida Costanera, Chile

Text and photos by Jason McKenney

The quiet Avenida Costanera runs along a magnificent stretch of beach in Algarrobo, Chile. Roughly sixty miles south of Valparaiso, this soft, sandy beach looks out over a deep blue Pacific that hides some treacherous riptides below. Because of that you may not find many swimmers or surfers. The beach is generally vacant depending on the season and makes for a quiet getaway for a lazy afternoon.

Up the street is the A Todo Costa restaurant that has patio seating along the beach. Volleyball nets are setup in the sand nearby. After some fresh seafood and sipping a couple pisco sours, a stroll along the beach sounded quite appealing.

I have walked along this beach twice, both times in the late summer season (Feb-March in the Southern Hemisphere) and I hardly saw a soul either time. It’s tucked behind a small neighborhood just off the roadway referred to as G-98-F. The Avenida Costanera is a narrow, bumpy road covered with dust and faded memories. When traffic is light (which is most of the time) it’s easy to park by the sidewalk and step out for a promenade.

A small junk food stand rests along the sidewalk. A young girl stands outside eating a candy bar. Her mom runs the stand. They sell candy and gum, ice cream and cheap toys. I haggard-looking dog rests in the shade of the stand panting a mile-a-minute.

Your choice of treats

The rolling crash of the giant waves echo across the warm sand. It’s a sound that relaxes my tense shoulders. There are a couple sunbathers lying on the beach. A young family walks by enjoying the gorgeous day, but there is plenty of space for all of us. We might as well be on our own desert island. There are no sounds of traffic, no chattering tourists, no annoying radios. Nothing but the waves and the trills of seagulls. Thankfully I have a beach towel because that sand sure does look inviting.

Lovely.