Shore tour from Penco: 11 hours around Concepción Bay

Eleven hours tracing the Concepción coastline from one fishing village to the next

An 11-hour guided tour of Concepción's northern shore, departing from Penco and traveling by private vehicle through six coastal towns and beaches. The route moves through Penco's city centre and Fort La Planchada, then follows the bay north to Tomé, Coliumo, and Dichato (where lunch happens) before returning via Pingueral, Cocholgüe beach and a viewpoint overlooking the entire bay. A guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tour around Penco and Tomé shore

• Visit Penco city centre
• Visit Fort La Planchada
• Visit Penco beach
• Visit Tomé city centre and pier
• Visit Bellavista beach and textile factory
• Explore Lirquén fishermen cove
• Lunch at Dichato beach
• Visit north Dichato beach
• Visit Pingueral river estuary
• Visit Cocholgüe beach
• Stop at Concepción Bay viewpoint

The experience

The tour covers roughly 11 hours and stays on the road the whole time, moving between stops rather than lingering at any one. You travel in a private vehicle, which means the pace is yours and the driver adapts to the group. The route starts in Penco's city centre, then moves to Fort La Planchada, a 17th-century Spanish fort built on the beach. From there the coast curves north through Lirquén and into Tomé, where you stop at Bellavista beach and learn about Bellavista Oveja Tomé, an old textile factory that shaped the town. The stops are short: enough to walk and look, not to settle in.

Coliumo is a small fishermen's cove where the bay narrows. Dichato comes next, one of the most visited beaches in the Biobío Region and one that was heavily damaged in the 2010 earthquake and tsunami. You'll have lunch there. After lunch, the route moves inland slightly to the Pingueral river estuary, then back to the coast at Cocholgüe beach, which is known for its food stalls and restaurants. The final stop is a viewpoint north of Dichato that looks back across the entire bay toward Concepción. From there, the return to Concepción takes the inland route.

The guide is live and speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese. Pickup is included, so the tour starts from your hotel or a meeting point in the area. Lunch is not included in the price, though the stop at Dichato gives you time to eat at one of the local restaurants. Service animals are welcome, and the tour suits all fitness levels. You're moving between the vehicle and short walks at each stop, not hiking or climbing.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the 11-hour route.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• hotel or meeting-point pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to16h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 14 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TurisDar

Is this one for you?The full day on the road means you see the entire northern bay in one loop rather than piecing it together across multiple trips, but it also means limited time at each stop. Book this if you want the geography of the coast and the connected story of the towns, not if you're looking to spend hours at a single beach.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Fort La Planchada and why is it on this tour?

Fort La Planchada is a 17th-century Spanish fort built on Penco's beach, one of the oldest European structures in the region. It's the first major stop after leaving the city centre, marking the start of the coastal route north.

How much time do you spend at each beach or town?

The tour moves between stops rather than spending extended time at any single location. Each stop is long enough to walk around and take in the place, typically 20 to 40 minutes, before moving to the next one.

Where do you have lunch, and is it included?

Lunch happens in Dichato, one of the most popular beaches in the region. Lunch is not included in the tour price, but the stop gives you time to eat at one of the local restaurants along the beach.

What does the viewpoint at the end of the tour show?

The final stop is a viewpoint north of Dichato that overlooks the entire Concepción Bay, giving you a wide view of the coast you've just traveled and the city across the water.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Yes, pickup is included. The tour starts from your hotel or a designated meeting point in the Penco area, depending on where you're staying.