Condominio Bahia Pelicanos – Horcon

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first rolled up to Condominio Bahia Pelicanos on that winding Camino Viejo Horcon, I wasn’t expecting much from what looked like just another beachside condo complex. But man, was I wrong about this place. The building sits perfectly positioned where you can actually hear the Pacific rolling in, and from apartment G-41 (which is where I stayed), you get this killer view that honestly makes you want to just camp out on the balcony with a pisco sour and forget about everything else.

What really got me about this spot is how it feels like you’re staying in someone’s actual home rather than some sterile hotel room. The kitchen’s properly equipped – I mean, you can actually cook a decent meal here, which is clutch when you want to grab fresh seafood from the local fishermen down at the beach and make your own dinner. The whole setup in Horcón is pretty special, you know? It’s this tiny fishing village that somehow hasn’t been completely overrun by tourists yet, though weekends can get a bit crowded with Santiago folks escaping the city. During the week though, especially in the shoulder seasons, you’ll have those dramatic black sand beaches practically to yourself.

The apartment itself is surprisingly well-maintained for a 4-star place – I’ve definitely stayed in “luxury” hotels that felt cheaper than this. The bed’s comfortable (always my first test), the Wi-Fi actually works when you need it, and there’s decent hot water pressure, which isn’t always a given in smaller Chilean coastal towns. Parking’s not really an issue since you’re a bit up from the main village chaos, but you’ll want a car to get around properly – walking down to the restaurants and bars is doable, but coming back up that hill after a few drinks is… well, let’s just say it’s character building. The 9.3 rating honestly makes sense once you’ve been there a few days. It’s not fancy in a flashy way, but everything just works, and the location gives you easy access to both the bohemian artist vibe of Horcón and the bigger beach scene in nearby Maitencillo if you want more action. Plus, you’re close enough to Valparaíso for day trips, but far enough away that you actually feel like you’ve escaped somewhere special.