South America’s coastline stretches for thousands of miles, offering an incredible variety of beach destinations that often get overshadowed by more famous locations. From the azure waters of Brazil to the dramatic Pacific shores of Chile, these lesser-known coastal gems provide authentic experiences without the crowds and high prices of more touristy spots.
Here is a list of 20 underrated coastal cities in South America that deserve your attention for your next beach vacation.
Punta del Diablo, Uruguay
This former fishing village has transformed into a relaxed beach town while maintaining its authentic charm. The rustic wooden houses and unpaved streets create a laid-back atmosphere that feels worlds away from Uruguay’s more famous Punta del Este.
During summer months, the population swells as visitors come to enjoy the pristine beaches and exceptional seafood restaurants that dot the shoreline.
Mancora, Peru
Located in northern Peru, Mancora basks in sunshine year-round and has ideal surfing conditions that draw surfers worldwide. Mancora blends Peru’s world-famous cuisine with a casual beach lifestyle, so every day feels like Saturday.
Fresh seafood is served at local cevicherias, sometimes caught hours earlier before it reaches your plate.
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Ilha Grande, Brazil
Only a few hours from Rio de Janeiro, this island paradise without cars is like going back in time. Ilha Grande’s 106 beaches are reached only by boat or hiking paths that meander through the Atlantic rainforest, home to exotic flora and fauna.
The emerald waters encircle the island and provide outstanding visibility for snorkeling and diving over colorful coral reefs and shipwrecks.
Valparaiso, Chile
This vibrant port town is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a bohemian vibe and street art culture. The network of hilltop neighborhoods connected by funiculars in Valparaiso offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
The beaches in the vicinity of Viña del Mar and Concón are ideal day trip destinations where you can soak on golden shores after viewing the city’s cultural treasures.
Palomino, Colombia
Located between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Caribbean Sea, Palomino offers a perfect blend of natural environments. The town’s main attraction is tubing down the Palomino River until it meets the ocean—an experience that takes you from mountain forests to coastal plains.
The wide, uncrowded beach stretches for miles with hardly another soul in sight during weekdays.
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Montañita, Ecuador
This small coastal town has gained a reputation as Ecuador’s surf capital. Its consistent waves appeal to both beginners and experienced surfers. Beyond the beaches, Montañita offers a vibrant nightlife and international food scene that belies its small size.
During the day, the nearby Machalilla National Park provides opportunities to spot humpback whales during their migration season.
Pichilemu, Chile
Known as the surfing capital of Chile, Pichilemu centers around the famous Punta de Lobos beach with its distinctive rock formations. The cold Pacific waters create perfect conditions for experienced surfers looking for challenging waves.
The town maintains a rustic, authentic feel with simple accommodations and restaurants serving fresh-caught seafood prepared with traditional Chilean recipes.
Jericoacoara, Brazil
Hidden among towering dunes in northeastern Brazil, ‘Jeri’ feels like a place that time forgot. The streets are paved with sand, and electricity only arrived in the late 1990s. Visitors come for the incredible kitesurfing conditions and stay for the nightly ritual of watching the sunset atop the famous Sunset Dune.
The natural phenomenon known as the ‘Emerald Sunset’ occurs when the sun appears to sink into the ocean while flashing green.
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Puerto Madryn, Argentina
This Patagonian coastal city serves as the gateway to the wildlife-rich Península Valdés, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The protected waters around Puerto Madryn host southern right whales that come to breed between June and December.
The city’s beaches combine with cultural attractions tied to its Welsh settler history for a unique coastal experience in Argentina’s southern reaches
Máncora Chico, Peru
Not to be confused with its more famous neighbor, this tiny fishing hamlet offers an even more authentic experience just minutes from Máncora proper. The smaller crowds mean more space on the golden beaches and a truly local feel in the handful of restaurants serving catch-of-the-day.
The consistent offshore winds create perfect conditions for kitesurfing throughout the year.
Paraty, Brazil
This colonial gem sits where the mountains meet the ocean, creating a stunning backdrop for the town’s preserved Portuguese architecture. Paraty’s historic center prohibits cars, allowing visitors to wander cobblestone streets frozen in the 18th century.
The coastline is dotted with secluded beaches accessible only by boat, each feeling like your private paradise.
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Pisco, Peru
Most travelers know Pisco only for the famous Peruvian brandy that bears its name, overlooking this coastal city’s beautiful beaches. The nearby Paracas National Reserve protects one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world, often called the ‘Galapagos of Peru.’
The mysterious Nazca Lines are just a short trip away, making Pisco an ideal base for exploring natural and archaeological wonders.
La Pedrera, Uruguay
This unassuming beach town offers a more relaxed alternative to Uruguay’s flashier resorts. The magnificent rock formations that give the town its name (‘The Quarry’) create natural swimming pools at low tide.
During summer, the town hosts a film festival that draws creative types across South America without sacrificing its authentic, low-key character.
Ancón, Peru
Just 25 miles north of Lima is this historic beach resort, which once hosted Peru’s elite in the early 20th century. The town retains its charming architecture and relaxed atmosphere, offering a convenient escape from the capital’s hustle.
The protected bay creates calm swimming conditions, while the surrounding cliffs provide dramatic backdrops for sunset photos.
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Itapema, Brazil
Just north of the popular Balneário Camboriú, Itapema offers beautiful beaches without the forest of high-rises and overwhelming crowds. The pristine shoreline stretches for miles, and the gentle waves are perfect for families and beginner surfers.
Local restaurants serve authentic Brazilian beach cuisine at prices that reflect the town’s more relaxed, under-the-radar status.
Arica, Chile
Located in Chile’s far north near the Peruvian border, Arica enjoys a unique desert-meets-ocean setting with year-round sunshine and warm temperatures. The city’s main beach, Chinchorro, offers gentle waves that are perfect for beginners learning to surf in the Pacific.
Beyond the shoreline, visitors can explore the nearby Lauca National Park, with its dramatic Andean landscapes and ancient archaeological sites dating back thousands of years.
El Yaque, Venezuela
Located on Margarita Island, El Yaque has gained international recognition among windsurfing and kiteboarding enthusiasts for its consistent trade winds. The shallow, warm waters create ideal learning conditions for beginners while still offering challenges for experts.
Despite its growing reputation, the town maintains an unpretentious atmosphere with family-run posadas and beachfront eateries.
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San Clemente del Tuyú, Argentina
This beach town on the Atlantic coast marks the beginning of Argentina’s extensive shoreline. San Clemente offers wide beaches with gentle waves that are perfect for families and those learning to surf.
The nearby Mundo Marino, South America’s largest oceanarium, provides educational entertainment focused on marine conservation efforts in the South Atlantic.
Punta Sal, Peru
Near the Ecuador border, Punta Sal boasts Peru’s warmest and sunniest beaches, with temperatures comfortable for swimming year-round. The crescent-shaped bay protects from strong currents, creating ideal conditions for swimming and paddleboarding.
Seafood is the star attraction in local kitchens, with restaurants serving traditional northern Peruvian dishes featuring fresh catches of the day.
Garopaba, Brazil
This old whaling station has become an environmentally aware surf town that draws nature enthusiasts and wave riders. Garopaba’s beaches vary from sheltered coves to open surf breaks suitable for all levels of experience.
At migration time, southern right whales are easily seen along the beach, and the adjacent Atlantic forest provides trails to secret waterfalls.
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The Allure of Discovery
South America’s hidden coastal gems offer experiences not listed in guidebooks or social media feeds. These real places bring tourists into contact with local communities that have maintained their old ways of life despite increasing tourism.
With tourists increasingly looking for real experiences rather than checkbox tourism, these underappreciated coastal cities are ideal substitutes for over-visited beaches. Your next South American escapade could be spent in one of these coastal treasures, waiting to make memories that will last considerably longer than an average resort vacation.
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