Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa (limited selection) or direct WhatsApp ordering from local restaurants.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pastel de Jaiba (Crab pie) at La Picada del Negro.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Puerco Azul (options available) or Amaranto Café.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Heladería El Parque for artisanal ice cream (try the Lucuma flavor).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Feria Libre (Street Market) – Tuesdays and Fridays on Calle Santa Maria.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre (3-5 day delivery).
- Grocery Delivery
- Lider (Walmart) online delivery or Supermercado El 9.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Av. Ortúzar near the beach (Waitara Club for late-night dancing).
- Local Brewery
- Cerveza Cuello Negro (available at most local bars like El Chiringuito).
- Wine Bars
- Winebox Pichilemu - Great selection from the nearby Colchagua Valley.
- Street Food Stalls
- Churros near the Playa Principal or Empanadas de Mariscos (Shellfish empanadas).
- Popular International Cuisine
- La Casa de Emma (Italian/Pizza) or Kichijoji (Sushi).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Punta de Lobos Rocks (Los Morros) and Agustín Ross Cultural Center.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Centro Cultural Agustín Ross (historical building, art exhibitions).
- Historical Sites
- Ex-Estación de Ferrocarriles (Old Railway Station).
- Religious Sites
- Parroquia Inmaculada Concepción.
- Annual Events
- Semana Pichilemina (February) and Quiksilver Ceremonial (Big Wave Surf Competition).
- Cultural Districts
- Sector Ross (Heritage Architecture district).
- Theater Venues
- Cine-Teatro Municipal (Select screenings and community plays).
- Local Markets
- Pueblito de Artesanos (Artisan Village) for handmade wool and salt products.
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic sessions at Waitara or summer concerts on the beach.
- Street Art
- Murals along the Costanera depicting surf culture and mythology.
- Cooking Classes
- Seafood workshops often organized by local chefs at 'Los Piures'.
- Art Galleries
- Taller de Cerámica y Arte (local pottery galleries in Cahuil).
- Historic Buildings
- Gran Hotel Ross (one of the oldest hotels in Chile).
- Local Heritage
- Cahuil Salt Mines (Salineras) - handcrafted sea salt production dating back centuries.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Cahuil Lagoon (12km south) - Great for kayaking and bird watching.
- National Parks Nearby
- Radal Siete Tazas National Park (approx. 4 hours drive east).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The gravel path from Pichilemu to Punta de Lobos along the cliffside.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador Punta de Lobos for sunset.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Humedal de Cáhuil (Cáhuil Wetland).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally discouraged on beaches due to environment; use designated pits at Cabañas/Campsites.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Starken or ChilePost (located on Av. Ortúzar).
- Tech Repair Services
- Local shops in the 'Centro' area; most major repairs require a trip to Santiago.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Gimnasio Municipal during public hours.
- Language Classes
- Private tutors available through local expat Facebook groups.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Pública de Pichilemu at the Agustín Ross Cultural Center.
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural Agustín Ross.
- Gaming Lounges
- Very limited; internet cafes (Ciber) exist in the town center.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Gambling is prohibited outside official casinos; nearest is Monticello (2.5 hours away).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $88,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,600 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $64,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $120,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,400 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $84,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,850 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $148,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,300 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $104,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- First Category Tax (IDPC) is 27% (General Regime) or 10% (SME Regime temporarily).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 35% (with credits for corporate tax paid if under a tax treaty).
- Tax System
- Residence-based (worldwide income for residents after 3 years).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 40%
- VAT
- 19% (IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applies if you hold 10% or more of a foreign entity's capital/profits.
- Property Tax
- Paid quarterly (Territorial Tax), depends on property appraisal; lower-value homes are exempt.
- Property Transaction Tax
- None, but notary and registration fees apply (approx. 1% to 1.5%).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Expats are only taxed on Chilean-source income for the first 3 years (extendable to 6).
Essentials
- City
- Pichilemu, Cardenal Caro Province, O'Higgins Region, Chile
- Population
- Approx. 17,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 50-100 Mbps (Starlink has significantly improved reliability in the area)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 970 CLP; 1 EUR ≈ 1,050 CLP. Banco Estado and Banco de Chile ATMs are available downtown.
- Tap Water
- Technically drinkable but heavy in minerals; most locals and nomads prefer 20L bottled water (bidones) for $3,500 CLP.
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/L sockets
- SIM Card
- Entel (best coverage) or WOM. Prepaid 20GB plans for approx. $7,000 CLP at local kiosks.
- Banking for Expats
- MACH (digital wallet) or Scotiabank. Revolut works for transfers.
- Accommodation
- Surf lodges, boutique cabins, and Airbnb apartments.
- Cashless Friendly
- Increasingly common; 'Transbank' terminals are in most shops, but carry cash for small street vendors.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local 'Arriendos' signs. Expect $450,000 - $800,000 CLP/month for a cabin.
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Akisurf (approx. $18,000 CLP/night per dorm bed).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Punta de Lobos for surfing; Sector Centro for nightlife and proximity to the bus station.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Infiernillo (quieter, residential, good views) or Playa Hermosa for peace.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- B-Side Cowork (Av. Costanera 1136) - Ocean views, high-speed fiber, approx. $15,000 CLP/day.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cardumen Café (Av. Comercio) - Excellent coffee, stable Wi-Fi, and laptop-friendly tables.
- Networking Events
- Punta de Lobos Foundation events or surf-related environmental meetups.
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly surf meetups at Playa Principal or 'Expats in Pichilemu' Facebook group gatherings.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber is limited; use local 'Radio Taxi' (Radio Taxi Pichilemu: +56 72 284 2100) or Colectivos (shared taxis) for $800 CLP.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Pichilemu Rent a Bike (Av. Ortúzar) - Approx. $10,000 CLP per day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Punta de Lobos (6km south), world-class surf spot.
- Top Regional Airline
- LATAM Airlines (flying into Santiago/SCL, 3 hours drive away).
- Top International Airline
- LATAM, Sky Airline, JetSmart.
- Highway Access
- Route I-50 connects to San Fernando and the Pan-American Highway (Route 5).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal de Buses Pichilemu (Av. Millaco). Direct buses to Santiago take 3.5 hours ($10,000 CLP).
- Public Transport Passes
- Not applicable; pay cash to Colectivo drivers.
- Regional Travel
- Buses Nilahue or Pullman del Sur for trips to Santiago or Santa Cruz (Wine Valley).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital de Pichilemu (emergency) or RedSalud in nearby San Fernando for specialized care.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yin Yang Yoga Studio (Sector Infiernillo) - $8,000 CLP per drop-in class.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gimnasio Municipal or private boxes like Crossfit Pichi - $35,000 CLP/month.
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería Bubble (Av. Ortúzar) - Approx. $8,000 CLP per load (wash/dry/fold).