Last Updated on January 30, 2024

Chile is yet another sandboarding heaven in South America, with a range of diverse and breathtaking landscapes that are perfect for sliding down on a sandboard.

In the northern part of the country, you’ll find the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world.

This surreal, otherworldly region is home to endless sand dunes, rocky outcroppings, and stunning geological wonders.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sandboarder, the Atacama Desert offers endless opportunities for adventure and fun.

If you’re looking for a more coastal experience, head to the regions near Iquique, Valparaíso, and Viña del Mar, where you’ll find some of the most breathtaking views in all of Chile.

Here, you can surf the dunes at high speed, taking in the stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding mountains as you go.

Sandboarding at Cerro Dragon, Iquique, Chile. Photo courtesy of Cristian Calcagno.

Iquique offer some of the most thrilling sandboard rides in the world on its massive urban dune.

This incredible dune near the port town of Iquique is known as Cerro Dragón (“Dragon Hill”) because historically it used to look like a sleeping dragon.

This is the biggest urban sand dune in the world, with Iquique standing right at its base!

The slopes of Cerro Dragón come in various heights and degrees of steepness so beginners can start with the smaller ones and gradually proceed with the bigger ones as they gain confidence.

There are some rather thrilling rides at this location, with dunes up to 350m tall, so prepare for an adrenaline rush:

Sandboarding at Cerro Dragón

Sandboard Rental

You can rent a sandboard online and collect it in Iquique or have it delivered to your accommodation.

All boards are equipped with shoe bindings, handmade in Chile and come in different sizes for adults, teenagers and kids.

Recommended tours


Duna Cerebro is a large sand dune located near the city of Iquique in northern Chile.

The shape of the sand resembles a brain (hence the name), and its popularity among tourists and locals as a spot for sandboarding.

The dune is part of the larger complex which also includes other smaller dunes in the near proximity of the city.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0Mgjdo8e14A

Punta de Concón Sandboard
Sandboarding at Concon Dunes. Photo courtesy of Julian Moggia.

The Concón Dunes are a group of sand hills located in the Viña del Mar municipality, between the towns of Concón and Reñaca, and not far from Valparaíso.

These dunes are a great sandboarding spot which offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

Recommended tours


Sandboarding Death Valley / Mars Valley - Atacama Desert, Chile
Sandboarding in Death Valley, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. Photo courtesy of Diego Delso.

Chile’s Death Valley is located in the Atacama Desert, approximately 2km away from the small town of San Pedro de Atacama in the Andes Mountains.

It is also known as Mars Valley because the landscape resembles that of another planet, comprising mostly red rock formations and craters.

Sandboarding can be practiced on some of the soft sand dunes, which reach up to 120 metres in height.

You can rent a sandboard directly in San Pedro de Atacama and head to the valley yourself or join a guided tour.

Recommended tours


South America Sandboarding Map


Read also: The Atacama Desert Blooms After Rain

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