San Alfonso del Mar — Attraction in Algarrobo

The biggest pool in the world is actually a man-made lagoon where you can't swim due to its extensity. It's still pretty impressive to walk around and enjoy its magnificency. There are regular smaller pools around where you can swim and are also made of ocean water.

The complex is comprised of a few buildings with gated access and you need to be staying as a guest in order to enjoy the facilities, which include non-powered water sports like kayaking, paddle boarding and water bicycles, lounge chairs and a restaurant with beautiful ocean views. Access to the beach is available from within the complex but depends on the season it might be close for swimming, although you can still walk around.

Buildings are fairly modern and have all the features of city living (except wifi which is only found in lobbies). Several places around the area are available for entertainment, dining and shopping (limited).

Plan ahead as the weather is not that of a coastal region in other latitudes. It's usually cold even in the middle of summer (low of 12C in January) however clear sunny skies allow for nice sun bathing and...

WOW is all I can say about my stay at San Alfonso Del Mar. The views, the tranquility of hearing the ocean, the staff members attention. This by far is one of my favorite and most memorable trips that I've taken. We had a slight problem when checking in (no hot water, gas wasn't working and the heater won't turn on), but maintenance came within minutes of us calling and resolved the issue. The rooms were equipped with all the necessities, blankets, towels, plates, cookware, spices, entertainment... We technically could have stayed in the property during our vacation and it would have been just fine. I loved that the place had ample options of where you can lounge about and relax.

Side note: There is absolutely NO signal here in the rooms, and the WiFi signal at the lobby is annoyingly slow. I own a small business and although yes I am in vacation and need to disconnect, there are certain things that need special attention. Luckily my brother was able to tether his...

The staff was nice and helpful, and I had a good experience. It's possible to venture out to the ocean beach if you get a gate pass. I recommend this in general if you are willing to spend the money. However, in case you were hoping to swim out in the large lagoon, when I was there in late December of 2013 guests were not allowed to swim in the large part of the lagoon, just in the smaller walled off pools and in roped off areas of the lagoon. I understand the need to keep swimmers out of the way of the watercraft and the challenge of rescuing someone in trouble at possibly a long distance, but calling this the world's largest swimming pool is a bit misleading. The water was cold because ocean water is pulled in and filtered, but if you decide to withstand it you can swim for awhile. We rented an apartment and could not find the kayak belonging to the apartment, so we finally pulled another one that matched our oars and the...