There is something marvelous about Valparaiso that we can’t explain. It’s certainly not the cities aesthetic beauty, because it has little of that. Perhaps it is its unique setting among the urban hills that keeps us coming back. It’s a tough gritty port city but one that is certainly lively enough. The entire city has been declared a World Heritage Site.

Climate in Valparaiso

Summers are dry but pleasant, while winters are cool and rainy.

Hotels in Valparaiso

To check on hotel rooms, choose you favorite hotel website from the list below.

Priceline
The expedia network
Decolar.com (em portugués)

Hostels in Valparaiso

Many hostels are located in the hills, such as Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción. These are good places to stay, and we recommend them, but note that you might have to walk uphill a bit, even if there is an accensor nearby. To check availability of hostels in Valparaiso click here: Hostels in Valparaiso

Flights to Valparaiso

There is an airport in Valparaiso, but it really doesn’t have any commercial flights. The best option is to fly in or out of Santiago and then take ground transport from there.

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By Bus

The Terminal de Buses is located on Av. Pedro Montt 2860. Frequent services to Pajaritos terminal in Santiago (1.5 hours, 120kms).

Transport in Valparaiso

The Merval metro runs from Plaza Sotomayor to nearby Viña Del Mar. Service starts at 6AM and runs till just before midnight but you must have a farecard to board.

Local buses also go to to Viña, but are slower. Optionaly, take a yellow and black collectivo shared taxi.

Nightlife in Valparaiso

Quite a few bars in town cater to a younger university crowd, while others are more for sailors. Many decent safe bars and clubs can be found near Plaza Sotomayor.

More Information

The official internet site of Valparaiso does have a section on tourismo, but at the time of this writing it wasn’t working.

La Sebastiana, the former residence of poet Pablo Neruda, located up in the hills (Ferrari 692 ), is worth a visit even if you have never read any of his works.

The train like cars that ascend and descend the hills that surround the center are known as funiculares or ascensores. Locals rely on them to get around the outlying areas of the city, but they are great get on just to enjoy the view. The government has declared them historic monuments, but unfortunately they are falling into disrepair and some have stopped running. The ascensor to Cerro Concepción is recommended.

Note that as we said, Valparaiso is a tough city. Ask local advice before journeying on the funiculars and never walk in the port area at night.

A large port city that in recent years has made an effort to improve its industrial image. While many travelers pass through Antofagasta, few, other than those with business at the nearby mines, stay.

Climate

Although it is located in the Atacama desert, temperatures in Antofagasta remain mild almost year round. Like the rest of the region, Antofagasta is extremely dry and recives an average of only 4 millimeters of rain annually.

Climate in Antofagasta

Hotels in Antofagasta

Many hotels in Antofagasta cater to the mining industry and budget options are generally close to where the old bus stations were. To check on availability of hotel rooms, choose you favorite hotel website from the list below.

Booking.com
Priceline
The expedia network
Decolar.com (em portugués)

Flights to Antofagasta

The Cerro Moreno Airport airport (ANF) is located about an hour to the north of the center. See on map To check on flights to Antofagasta, fill out the form below.

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By Bus

The new bus station, Terminal Cardenal Carlos Oviedo Cavada is located north of downtown on the corner of avenue Pedro Aguirre Cerda and Paihuano. It’s not in the nicest of neighborhoods, so avoid walking around the area alone and watch your luggage.

Buses leave Antofagasta to the following destinations

destination	duration		price
Santiago	17		$ 22.000 SC $ 26.300 CA $ 26.300 PR
Arica
Iquique
Salta, Argentina

Restaurants in Antofagasta

For cheap eats, try one of the many stands in the mercado.

Nightlife in Antofagasta

If your looking for strip joints, you won’t have to venture too far. There are many of them in the center.

Shopping in Antofagasta

There are two shopping malls located on the waterfront

More Information

The official internet site of Antofagasta

The capital of the region and the second oldest city in the country. La Serena is a local and international tourist destination due both to its beaches and attractions in the nearby mountains.

Climate in La Serena

Quite pleasant year-round. The water temperature at the beaches can get a bit chilly, especially during the winter.

Hotels in La Serena

There are a lot of hotel rooms in La Serena, and although it might be hard to believe if you were to visit in the low season, they all fill up during the peak vacation months of January and February. Reserve ahead during this period. To check availability of accommodation in La Serena visit one of the hotel search engines sites below.
Priceline
The expedia network
Decolar.com (em portugués)

Hostels in La Serena

To check availability of hostels in La Serena click here: Hostels in La Serena

Flights to La Serena

The La Florida Airport airport (LSC) is located 5 kms from the center See on map. Daily flights to and from Santiago, Copiapó and Antofagasta

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By Bus

The clean comfortable Terminal de Buses is located on Av. Amunategui #107. Buses to just about anywhere in the north of the country leave several times daily. Several buses daily to Pisco Elqui (2 hours) with the company Via Elqui.

There are official information booths in the bus terminal, on Avenida del Mar, in the Recova market and on Av. Matta 461. The official internet site of La Serena has a wealth of information on lodging and attractions in the area (in Spanish)

Bank machines in La Serena

Many ATMs located around Plaza de Armas.

The Iglesia de San Francisco church, a national monument, with its massively thick walls, is a national monument. The museum inside it currently closed for repairs.

La Recova market is a good place to shop for crafts or drink a sit and sip a fruit juice.

If your looking to take a stroll, try the Avenida del Mar which runs along the beach. There are many hotels, restaurants and even a casino in this area, which is best visited in the afternoon. You won’t miss the lighthouse when you get there. Its a bit dirty and poorly maintained, but climb the stairs to the top for a good view of the beach.

The clear skies of the Atacama desert make it one of the best places on earth to look at the stars. It’s no surprise that many of the world’s best observatories can be found here, including the Cerro Toldo observatory. Visits are possible, but must be requested at least a month in advance. The visits take place on Saturday, and include a free three hour tour.

Elqui Valley

The dry weather of the area also favors wine production and just outside of town many wineries produce varieties of Muscat and Torontel. And if you are not a fan of wine, Pisco is also produced nearby. Pisco del Elqui is the most popular town in this region and has decent infrastructure.

Visit the tomb of Nobel Prize for literature winner Gabriela Mistral in the village of Montegrande. Gabriela was a feminist poet who is still well respected in Chile.

A quaint little mountain town that many use as a base for exploring the nearby national parks and reserves. Tourism has yet to fully exploit the town, and that is a good thing.

Climate in Putre

Can get very cold at night, especaially in the winter (May-August). Most hotels do not have heat, so bring your sleeping bag.

Hotels in Putre

There are a few hotels in Putre, but all are pretty basic. Check hotel availability here:
The expedia network

By Bus

International buses between La Paz and Arica pass through Putre, but no all stop. There is one bus (company: La Paloma) daily to/from Arica. It leaves Arica at 7am and returns at 2 in the afternoon (3500 pesos one way).

Bank machines in Putre

There is only one bank machine in town but it does not accept foreign cards. Best to withdrawl money in Arica.

The official internet site of the municipality of Putre(Spanish only) has some good information on restaurants and tour companies. It is also a good source of info on accomodation in places such as Socoroma

Parque Nacional Lauca can be visited by booking a tour with one of the many agencies in town. There is no public transport to the park from Putre.

Visit the Termas de Jurasi hot springs. Legend has it that an Incan princess used to bathe in them and she never grew old. But then her boyfriend discovered her secret to eternal youth and began to visit the springs himself. After a few years she realized he had stopped aging and one day followed him to the springs. When he had summesed himself the princess yelled “yurasi”, which means “boil” in the Aymara tounge. The waters began to boil and the young man met a horrible death.
The princess never returned to the springs and began to age rapidly, eventually being reduced to nothing but bones.

There is no public buses to the termas but travel agents in town can provide transport. There are two main pools, one covered and one open air. The water is quite warm at between 50 and 60 degrees celcuis, but not boiling as the legend says. Open year round – entrance 2000 pesos.

Socoroma A precolombian village with cobblestone streets 30kms from Putre. The local church dates back to 1560 and has adobe walls.

A resort like city with many top hotels, a casino a nice pesdestrian shopping walkway and good beaches. There is even something of a Chinatown near the market.

But the main attraction in this town is its duty free zone. Known as “Zofri” its a decent place to pick up discounted designer perfumes or a laptop, should you be in the market for them.

Climate in Iquique

Like the rest of the Atacama desert, Iquique has a bone dry climate but suprisingly gets cloudy at times, especially in the morning.

Hotels in Iquique

Iquique has a wide range of accomodation ranging from true 5 star hotels to basic pensions. To search for available hotels, visit one of the hotels sites listed below.
Priceline
The expedia network
Decolar.com (em portugués)

Hostels in Iquique

There are a few good hostels in Iquique, including the Backpacker’s Hostel on Amunategui 2075, which we recommend. To check availability of hostels in Iquique click here: Hostels in Iquique

Flights to Iquique

The Cavancha Airport airport (IQQ) is located 41 kms south east from the center See on map. Daily flights to Santiago and other national destinations with LAN, and Sky.

To check on flights to Iquique, fill out the form below.

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By Bus

There closest thing to a central bus terminal is the Terminal de Buses on Patricio Lynch. Many bus companies also leave and arrive from the mercado and have ticket offices there as well.

The Sta. Rosa bus terminal is located on Av. Pedro Prado 2360 while Tur Bus’ terminal is located on Esmeralda 594

Company Santa Angela, Barros Arana 971, services Pica. Alternatively take a tour with Mamiña on Latorre 769 or go by shared taxi.

International bus services go all the way to Lima with Ormeño, Sargento Aldea 776, and La Paz, Bolivia,with Cuevas y González , Sargento Aldea 850

Restaurants in Iquique

The area around Mercado Centenario is home to Iquique’s Chinese population. Many restaurants there serve Chifa, the rice dish popular in Peru.

Nightlife in Iquique

Britania Pub, on Arturo Prat 1092, is a good bar. Their website is cool to look at, but a bit slow to load.

The casino can be found at Av Arturo Prat 2755. Roulette, black jack, Caribbean poker, baccarat, craps and live music on weekends. Open 24/7/365.

More info on Iquique

The official internet site of Iquique has very little information that would be of use to a traveler. But another website has good info on shows and other events in the city of Iquique.

Baquedano Street is a cobblestone street lined with Georgian and Victorian houses. In spite of the obvious impact of tourism on the area, it still retains its “wild west” feel.

The villages of Pica and Matilla, 120 kms south east of the center, are oasises in an otherwise arid region. Nearby dinosaur tracks have been found.

Shopping in Iquique

Zofri, the largest tax free shopping zone in South America, is located in the north of town. The last time we were there we heard a rumor that there is buying limit of 1000 dollars per person. You may want to verify that if you plan on purchasing multiple items. Open until 8pm Mon-Sat.

At first glance Arica does not appear to be much more than a desert city that serves as a transportation hub for those going to and from Peru or Bolivia. But for those who take the time to explore the city and area more, it becomes a worthwhile destination.

Climate in Arica

The city boasts spring like weather throughout the year and the northern latitude of the city also means warmer ocean currents and water the beaches for once isn’t too icy cold. Like the rest of the Atacama desert, it almost never rains in Arica, but clouds and humidity are still common.

Hotels in Arica

The majority of accommodation in Arica is located near the waterfront. To check on hotels rooms in Arica, use one of the hotel search engines below.
Booking.com
Priceline
The expedia network
Decolar.com (em portugués)

Hostels in Arica

There are a few hostels in town. To check availability of hostels in Arica click here: Hostels in Arica

Flights to Arica

The Chacalluta Airport airport (ARI) is located north of the center. See on map. There are flights daily to Santiago and Iquique as well as a few weekly international flights to Bolivia and Peru. Taxis or minibuses to the center and possibly dircetly to Tacna, Peru. A taxi from the airport to the center in 2010 cost around 7000 pesos.

To check on flights to Arica, fill out the form below.

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By Bus

The slightly decrepit national and international bus terminals are located on Av. Diego Portales 948. Several buses daily to Santiago and all major cities in between. International buses to Tachna, Peru and Oruru and La Paz, Bolivia. Note that during the peak summer travel period (Dec to Feb) tickets can be hard to come by. If you plan on crossing over to Argentina via San Pedro de Atacama, you must buy your ticket in advance. The only other way to get to Argentina by overland bus would be through Bolivia (not very direct nor recommended) or via Santiago.

To Tacna: Buses leave the international terminal every 25 minutes (1500 pesos). Our take a shared taxi for a little over twice the price. The driver will help you with immigration forms.

There is one bus daily to Putre, with the company La Paloma (Germán Riesco 2071 ) leaving Arica at 7AM and returning at 2PM.

By Train

There is train service twice daily to Tacna, Peru, leaving the train station on Máximo Lira 889 at 9AM and 8PM Mon-Friday. Tickets should be bought a day in advance and can be purchased between the hours of 10AM and noon and from 4PM and 6PM.

Restaurants in Arica

Terminal Pesquero is a good place to eat fresh seafood while watching fishing boats. There was a fire reported at the terminal in early 2011, but we have yet to return to see how badly it was damaged.

Vegetarian: Restaurante Govinda on Blanco Encalada #20.

More Information

The official internet site of Arica is more geared towards residents than tourists, but does have lots of phone numbers and addresses of government offices, should you need them for some reason.

Plaza Colón, has few national monuments surrounding it, Including the former customs house, the Cathedral of San Marcos and the railway station which used to serve Bolivia.

The Morro de Arica is a steep hill on the coast which was once home to a fort used by Peruvian forces during the battle of the desert which ended in 1883 . You can climb (or drive if you must ) the hill via a paved path which starts at the end of Calle Colón. Up top there is a war museum and great views.

Arica has a long history – in fact there is evidence of human activity in the area dating back to 8000 BC. The oldest mummies in the world can be found at the Archeology Museum of San Miguel de Azapa, a few kilometers from the center in the Valle de Azapa.

There is much more in the Valle de Azapa than a museum. This oasis in addition to being home to many olive trees has a good crafts fair

The nearby Lauca National Park is set in a spectacular arid landscape and, if you have the time, should not be missed. It can be visited as a day trip from Arica, but beware that the parks sits at over 4000 meters above sea level and unless you have recently arrived from the Altiplano, altitude sickness is likely. A better alternative would be to spend a night in Putre to acclimatize.

Beaches

Beware that some beaches near Arica have strong currents and are not apt for swimming. If in doubt ask a local. Playa Chinchorro and Playa La Lisera: Located approximately 2.5 miles noth from the center of the city are quite popular. There is also excellent surfing near Arica.

Nightlife in Arica

The casino, located on General Velásquez 955 is open ’till 4 in the morning on weekdays and until 6AM on Fridays, Saturdays and nights before holidays. Tables include black jack, baccarat, poker, roulette and craps.

A large port city that in recent years has made an effort to improve its industrial image. While many travelers pass through Antofagasta, few, other than those with business at the nearby mines, stay.

Climate

Although it is located in the Atacama desert, temperatures in Antofagasta remain mild almost year round. Like the rest of the region, Antofagasta is extremely dry and recives an average of only 4 millimeters of rain annually.