Nearly 20 years after its inauguration, San Alfonso del Mar continues to capture global attention thanks to its monumental crystalline lagoon, the first developed with Crystal Lagoons® technology. This iconic project in Algarrobo began a real estate, tourism, and urban revolution, leading Crystal Lagoons to expand with more than 1,000 projects in different development and negotiation stages in more than 60 countries across five continents.
The 20-acre crystalline lagoon, with its turquoise waters equivalent to 6,000 traditional swimming pools, measures 1,013 meters long and holds 250 million liters of seawater. It earned a World Guinness Record in 2007. Although Crystal Lagoons Citystars Sharm El Sheikh project in Egypt, which features a 30-acre lagoon, surpassed this record, the impact of San Alfonso del Mar remains intact, solidifying its status as an iconic destination and symbol of the multinational’s disruptive innovation.
Originally conceived as a complex of 400 second-home apartments, the project significantly expanded due to the success of its crystalline lagoon, reaching 1,400 units. This amenity transformed Algarrobo into one of Chile’s most successful beach resorts. It established San Alfonso del Mar as Latin America’s most successful second-home resort, doubling the original sale prices and attracting tourists worldwide. The project’s impact has boosted tourism in the region, creating jobs and improving local infrastructure.
After revolutionizing the real estate and tourism markets, Crystal Lagoons has driven a new urban transformation with its Public Access Lagoons® model, also known as PAL® developments. These projects, accessible to all through ticketed entry, have the unique appeal of bringing idyllic beach life just steps away from homes in the middle of the city while also offering event spaces with unparalleled scenic beauty, thanks to its large turquoise crystalline lagoon surrounded by white sandy beaches, which are illuminated at night, creating a magical ambiance.
These developments feature extensive and diverse infrastructure, including terraces, amphitheaters, domes, esplanades, and commercial and entertainment areas. The beauty of the beach in front of the lagoon, versatile spaces, and the ability to cover large areas with sheltered, temperature-controlled tents make the PAL® developments an extraordinary venue for events throughout the year, regardless of the season. It also includes residential areas, hotels, retail, restaurants, and other high-level commercial and entertainment infrastructure that support massive events such as weddings, concerts, exhibitions, fairs, and product launches.
