Arica
Table of Contents: Travel to Arica, visa requirements / Get around / Arica attractions and sightseeing / City tours / Shopping, Arica souvenirs / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Arica nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Hotels, youth hostels, lodging / Get out More from North (Chile): Arica, Iquique, San Pedro de Atacama More from Chile: Central (Chile), Chiloe Island, Extreme South (Chile), La Serena, North (Chile), Pucon, Robinson Crusoe Island, South (Chile) More from South America: Amazonia, Andes, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, Guyana, Los Roques, Pantanal, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Tierra del Fuego, Uruguay, Venezuela |
Arica is in the North of Chile. It is a seaside resort town (170,000 pop): quiet, relaxed, safe, with several nice beaches and sun virtually every day of the year. The city of eternal spring is the northern gateway to Peru and Bolivia.
Travel to Arica, visa requirements
Numerous buses arrive daily from centers further south in Chile. Daily buses come in from Bolivia, La Paz, Cochabamba and Oruro. Colectivos (shared taxis) arrive and depart continually from Peru during border opening hours 8AM-10PM, taking passengers from the International Terminal in Arica to the International Terminal in Tacna, Peru. From the National Terminal (alongside) buses come in from other centers in Peru. Note there are no direct buses from Arequipa, Cuzco or Puno to Arica!
Get around
Walking will get you most places in town, although micros run along the major avenues for those in a hurry. They are also handy for getting to and from the bus station. The usual fare is Ch$320. Lot's of taxis cruise the centre.
Arica attractions and sightseeing
- Cathedral of San Marcos is designed by the Eiffeltower-Eiffel guy. It's a popular attraction. Entry is from Plaza Colón.
- The views from el Morro is superb. One can follow the work being done in the harbour closely or gaze at the mountains gradually turning into the altiplano in the east. The hill looks like a giant sand dune from a distance but it is in fact made of solid rock. The paved footpath visible from anywhere in town starts at the south end of Calle Colón. Allow 10 minutes for walking up and enough time for philosophic discussions on top. There is a war museum on the hill for those into uniforms and cannons from the 19th century. Beware of the dishonest Coca Cola vending machines, bring water and snacks from town.
City tours
- Surfing and boogieboarding is good around Arica. The beaches north of town are good for beginners, while more experienced surfers go south of el Morro. There is a surfshop in the centre, but it's best to bring your own board.
- Bathing and sunbathing on the beaches north of town. Summer is the main season, in winter you'll have the beaches for yourself. Water is cold.
Shopping, Arica souvenirs
Good restaurants and cheap meals
- Chifa Maxi, Baquedano 494. Delightfully slow and nonexistent service at this authentic Chinese place with vegetarian options. Popular. Take away available.
- La Casa del Coctel, San Martin 495, +56 (0)58 250400. The best cheese empananas in downtown Arica. Fastfood from Ch$500.
- La Nanu, Av. Santa Maria 1182, +56 (0)58 312399. Great empanadas (21 different kinds). Between the bus station and the centre. Also pizza. Good for vegetarians.
- Lider Supermercado, 18 de septiembre 401. Well stocked supermarket in a convenient location. Good for stocking up on cheap mineral water, as the tapwater in the area is not recommended for drinking.
Arica nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
- Hostal Ecuador, Juan Noé 989, +56 (0)58 251934. Quiet place a short distance from the centre. Breakfast included, use of kitchen Ch$ 4500, hot water mornings only. A twin with bath is Ch$ 10 000, try bargaining.
Get out
Buses to Iquique leaves every hour from the main Terminal Rodovario. Tickets are Ch$6000 and the trip takes 5 hours. Also frequent departures to Santiago.
Lauca National Park. Chungará Lake is the main attraction in this wilderness park surrounded by volcanoes and adjacent to the border with Bolivia. Tour operators and touts will try to grab you on the pedestrian streets in the centre, but hiring a car or getting on a bus to Bolivia and getting off in Parinacota on the Chilean side or Lagunas on the Bolivian might work out cheaper.
More from North (Chile): Arica, Iquique, San Pedro de Atacama More from Chile: Central (Chile), Chiloe Island, Extreme South (Chile), La Serena, North (Chile), Pucon, Robinson Crusoe Island, South (Chile) More from South America: Amazonia, Andes, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, Guyana, Los Roques, Pantanal, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Tierra del Fuego, Uruguay, Venezuela |
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