Totoradillo, La Serena; My Experience (Chile).

Likewise many travels I had made before, I researched in tripadvisor about Totoradillo Beach, but after the visit I definitely think that I found more than what I expected. In brief I visited a beautiful beach which combines white and soft sand along with two bays showed by a calmly turquoise sea waves. I must say, it was gorgeous to my eyes.

Firstly, the journey just took us 20 minutes from our house located in the center of La Serena, because you only have to take the route 5 to Santiago (in Spanish you can ask for "ruta 5 o la Panamericana Norte"). All the road is very clear, to summarize, 15 minutes after Coquimbo you will see a green signal which will indicate you where turn right to Totoradillo. Then, you will have two signals where you must keep going forward (it says playa which means beach) until you reach the parking. The price is very fair, only $3.000 chilean pesos for all the day and you don't have to make any other expense. In any case, I saw a lot of people who parked outside, also the Buses from La Serena, a few meters before the beach zone which is free. There are two parking, and I preferred the first one because you will have less problems during your leaving when the place pass to be very crowded after 3 PM so please, I suggest you to arrive early in the morning.

I chose the south bay for put my towel and stuffs which was almost empty at 10 AM, so again, I suggest you to wake up early, and then I ran directly to the sea crying: Leeroy Jenkings. The water was cold but a bit warmer than the 99% of the Chilean coast. The color was amazing as I said, you really can see your own foots and it varies between turquoise and bluish.

You can swim in both bays, especially the north one which has a small area without waves and 1,5 mts deep. Nonetheless, the south bay has an useful semi natural pool made by a walls of rock which prevents the force of the waves for making the area safely for childs.

I suggest you to carry your drinks because 1,5 lt of cocacola costs $2.000 CL although the food is cheap, for example you can buy shellfish for $1.500 Cl, therefore only $500 Cl more expensive the Coquimbo's fisherman store. In the photo bellow this paragraph I left you the prices of some stores a few meters of the beach. Totoradillo have a snob restaurant too. However, don't go, because it's expensive and untasty.

The place only was quiet and almost empty in the morning. In spite of that, Totoradillo really was one of the most beautiful beaches that I have ever seen in Chile.

My Last suggestion is: Don't forget your umbrella, because they can lend you one for 4.000 CL, and I think that such price is an abuse. The sun is madly strong this summer, I have spent two days in recovering of my injuries.