Cardenal Caro Province: Surfing, Coastal Nature and Local Culture

You can discover Cardenal Caro Province through a wide range of experiences: surf lessons and coastal wildlife around Pichilemu, a nature reserve in Litueche, and ceramics and salt-making traditions. When choosing where to stay, it helps to first consider the places and themes that will be the focus of your trip.

Surfing and coastal nature near Pichilemu

Punta de Lobos is designated a “World Surfing Reserve.” Surf schools there offer beginner lessons in surfing, bodyboarding and windsurfing. If you plan to take a lesson, check in advance which options suit your visit. Even if a lesson is not your main focus, the coast has its own appeal: the wide variety of seabirds makes Punta de Lobos an interesting place for nature photography and observing coastal wildlife.

Punta de Lobos is 6 km south of Pichilemu’s bus station. You can get there by local shared taxi, taxi, private vehicle or bicycle. This distance is a guide for planning; the transportation options listed offer different ways to fit the outing into your day.

Protected area and surf zones in Litueche

The Piedra del Viento y Topocalma Nature Reserve protects the Topocalma wetland, marine-coastal biodiversity, dunes and coastal areas. The protected area also includes surf zones suitable for sporting activities. Several aspects of the coastal landscape come together here: protected natural areas and surf suitable for sports. If you are interested in nature and water sports, this place offers a different focus from the lessons at Punta de Lobos.

Architecture, ceramics and salt-making traditions

In Pichilemu, Barrio Ross combines European-influenced architecture with the status of a “Zona Típica” (Typical Zone). Visiting the neighborhood adds a cultural dimension to the nature and surfing themes. In Pañul, meanwhile, ceramics are connected to local raw materials: the clay used is sourced in the same area where the ceramic tradition is rooted.

Local character is also reflected in the cuisine. In 2025, the tenth edition of the Fiesta de las Mil Cazuelas de Ave de Campo was held in the Pañul sector as a rural food event. It was organized by the Red de Turismo Rural El Encanto; the Municipality of Pichilemu funded and supported the festival. At the Salinas de Cáhuil near Pichilemu, visitors can also learn about the artisanal salt-making process.

Matanzas and travel from Santiago

For Matanzas in Navidad, getting there is also a practical point to consider. From Santiago, the drive follows Ruta 78 and then branches off onto Ruta G-60; the route covers more than 165 km and takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Navidad and continue from there by shared taxi or local bus. The approximate travel time and road route refer to travel by car; no duration is specified here for the bus connection.

When choosing where to stay, you can consider which of these experiences you want to focus on: surf lessons, wildlife watching and Barrio Ross in Pichilemu; the protected features of the area in Litueche; or Matanzas, with the route via Navidad described above. This way, planning starts with specific places and activities instead of treating every experience in the province as a single destination.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Pichilemu, El Manzano, Marchihue, Navidad, Paredones; Cachapoal Province, Colchagua Province.

Go to the main travel overview: Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins Region.