San Alfonso del Mar
Home to the world's largest swimming pool
San Alfonso del Mar is a private residential and resort complex on the Pacific coast of Algarrobo, about 90 km west of Santiago. Its 11 buildings hold 1,300 apartments with ocean or lagoon views, each building with its own private beach and pools.
The complex's centerpiece is a 1-kilometer-long saltwater lagoon holding 250 million liters of water, filtered directly from the sea using Crystal Lagoons technology. At its completion in 2006, it held the Guinness World Record for the largest swimming pool in the world, covering 8.2 hectares with a maximum depth of 3.5 meters. It gives residents and guests calm, clear, temperature-controlled water without the strong currents or cold temperatures of the open Pacific.
Things to do
- ✓Swim and relax in the lagoon
- ✓Rent water sports equipment — kayaks, paddleboards — for use in the lagoon
- ✓Eat at the on-site restaurants and cafés
- ✓Unwind at the gym and spa
- ✓Water slides for kids and families
- ✓On-site supermarket for everyday needs during longer stays
Gastronomy
The complex's own restaurants lean casual and seafood-forward; Algarrobo's own restaurant scene is a few minutes away.
How to get there
About 90 km — roughly 1.5 hours by car — from Santiago via Ruta 68 toward Casablanca and then south, or via the coastal route from Valparaíso. Algarrobo's town center and beaches are a short walk or drive away.
Practical info
- From Santiago
- ~90 km (about 1h30 by car)
- From Algarrobo
- in Algarrobo itself
- Best time to visit
- Chilean summer (December–March) for swimming in the lagoon; the complex and its amenities are pleasant year-round thanks to the temperature-controlled water.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons