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Pan de Azucar

This 43,000 hectare National Park is the only one in Chile that offers numerous beautiful beaches bordering the cool blue its beaches.There are also several miradors (observation points) located on mountainous heights bordering the oceanIf you want to explore the desert back country, numerous nature trails are available. Soon, CONAF will be offering guided overnight camping tours of the desert areas to show visitors that the park has more to offer than its fantastic beaches.

Pan de Azucar also offers sport fishing for those in the mood for angling. Thirty km north, you'll find the town of Chañaral, a good place to do your food shopping, since supplies are less expensive and plentiful. How to Get There: Pan de Azucar is located about 1000 kms north of Santiago, via the coastal port town of Chañaral. Take the Panamerican Highway as far as the port, and then instead of heading inland (east), take the dirt road to the park that hugs the ocean (north). This stretch of road is well worth taking from a sight seeing perspective, as it gives you a wonderful view of the rugged coastline and rocky outcroppings that make up this part of Chile. If traveling south on the Panamerican Highway (Route 5), the other park entrance is about 380 kms south of Antofagasta. From the sign on the highway, you must travel another 28 kms to reach the Caleta Pan de Azucar and the CONAF office. Remember that only 10 kms from this turn is the road that leads to Los Lomitos, the area I described above.

Hotels


		Camping

	General Info The camping areas on the beach, provided by a single concessionaire, include a concrete table, sun shade and BBQ pit for US$12/night. Use of the site for a day picnic costs US$6. [If you want more rustic camping on completely deserted beaches, your best bet is just south of the park, on the way to Chañaral. There are several breathtakingly beautiful areas to camp if you are prepared (water, food etc.).]


		Cabin

	General Info The concessionaire also offers two cabanas, situated beautifully on a deserted beach to the north.

Activities


		National Park

	Parque Nacional Pan de Azucar: The zone of the park with the most flora and fauna is called Los Lomitos. This is an area that is 800 meters above the ocean on a Pacific waters. The park offers a protected slice of northern/middle Chile´s coastal desert habitat with an incredible number of native cacti, 26 species of which are located in the park itself! Arid mountains and valleys lead westward to the park´s main attraction, cliff above the crashing waves. The CONAF office is located in the tiny fishing community of Caleta Pan de Azucar, 28 kms from the Panamerican Highway on a good dirt road. It includes a small museum inside with a great explanation of the park and a small cactus garden behind that names all of the cacti found in the area, including the smallest cactus in the world. [I thought this was a joke after looking at a seemingly empty patch of sand, but then the guard assured me that there was indeed a cactus there and pointed it out. I cannot imagine a smaller cactus, that´s for sure.]


		Beach

	The largest beach is Playa Pan de Azucar, situated north of the caleta. If you like more tranquil beaches, head for Playa Piqueros or Playa Blanca to the south.


		Boat Tour

	Just offshore from the bay of the Caleta is the Isla Pan de Azucar. This island is home to 3000 humbolt penguins, innumerable sea lions, and other marine wildlife. Taking a boat tour of the island is highly recommended. For around US$5-$7, one can receive a two hour tour led by one of the fishermen that work in the area. Inquire at the CONAF office about possible guides. You also may be able to include a request for the fresh catch of day! This could be cooked at one of the many ¨car camping¨ sites that line the Caleta and will soon be found in every bay (Playa Blanca etc.).


		Hiking, Climbing

	Mirador Pan de Azucar, 10km north of the village, is a perfect spot for getting panoramic views of the coast. Las Lomitas is a second option for a look-out, but is considered less rewarding. Heavy mist almost always blocks one's view. It is a 700m high clifftop, located in the northern corner of the park.


		Hiking

	Hiking is most rewarding in the springtime, when the vegetation is at its best. Visit the park administration in Caleta Pan de Azucar for instructions on hikes of varying lengths in the area.


		Biking

	There are both dirt roads and single-track trails suited for biking in the park. A highlight is the 60km round-trip up Quebrada Pan de Azucar.


		Jeep Tour

	Chango Turismo offers jeep tours to the Mirador Pan de Azucar and to Las Lomitas.