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City and Commune in Coquimbo, Chile
Photo: http://www.userena.cl/, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
La Serena is a charming city of about 200,000 people (2012) in Northern Chile. Its historic center stands out with a beautiful and well-preserved neocolonial architecture characterized by its balconies, small squares and stone churches of several centuries old, its extensive beaches and for being one of the cities with the best quality of life in Chile.
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Our Lady of Mercy Cathedral
This cathedral is the first in the city, founded in 1544. On one side of this is the Plaza Juan Pablo II. Its stained glass windows were brought from France and its bell tower dates from the 20th century. It is a national monument.
Iglesia de San Agustín
Eclectic-style church founded in 1672 by the Jesuits. Throughout history this church has suffered from various thefts and fires. Its last reconstruction was completed in 1994, the year of the 450th anniversary of the founding of the city. This church was declared a national monument.
Capilla, casa y claustro de la Divina Providencia
Neoclassical style house built in 1872. It still preserves various accessories such as stained glass windows and altars. Even so, the house is now a school and boarding school that belongs to the congregation of the Sisters of Providence.
Museo Arqueológico
This museum has a record of more than 12,000 objects, distributed in three categories, archeology, where it characterizes regional pre-Hispanic cultures of Chile, ethnography, where objects from ethnic groups in the area are exhibited, such as Mapuches, Selknam and Rapanui and paleontology, in where fossils of vertebrates and invertebrates are exhibited.
A National Monument, this lighthouse is characterized as one of the most representative tourist attractions in the area. Built between 1950 and 1951.
Museo Histórico Gabriel González Videla
This museum has a record of more than 3,500 pieces, organized in history and fine arts, as well as various objects that illustrate the life of the president.
El Sagrario Parish / Iglesia de la Merced
This church was founded in 1558, but after several attacks it was finally rebuilt in 1830. The tower is in the Gothic style, and is considered the city's architectural heritage.
Avenida Francisco de Aguirre
It began in 1855 with a pedestrian area, until between 1946 and 1952 several marble statues were donated by Italy, under the government of Gabriel González Videla. It extends from Balmaceda to the Monumental Lighthouse.
Parque Japonés de La Serena
The Japanese style (indeed, laid out by a Tokyo landscape architect) garden, celebrates the 450th anniversary of La Serena, its ties with its Japanese friend Tenri and the export of Chilean ore to Japan. Plenty of ducks and geese in the pond, some fish and the odd turtle.
Museo de Arte Sacro del Arzobispado
This museum is in the heart of La Serena, in front of the Plaza de Armas. More than 50 different pieces are on display, such as 18th-century Eucharistic ornaments, bishops' vestments and 18th-century oil paintings.
Elqui Valley
A beautiful valley in the otherwise arid region. Equestrian tours are available that climb into hills going in among the papaya farms and looking down on valley. Taste some pisco sour at a distillery and stay the night. Also, there one of the most beautiful, clear and brilliant nights you will ever see. The main villages can easily be done on a bicycle. Vicuña, where Gabriela Mistral was born, and where you can get to see how the Chilean Pisco is made. Pisco Elqui, which is ideal for a romantic escapade and Cochiguaz.
A set lunch may only set you back 1500 pesos; you might find it's not worth it. This goes for home-made food, and not getting all sick.
Has great BBQ meats served on a coal-heated plate.
Chilean
Rich breakfast included, friendly and helpful staff, big backyard with quiet corners, cafetería service during the day, storage room, various room types (from dormitory to suite with private balcony or rooms with shared bathroom), reasonable prices, possibility to make tour reservations, wifi included, book exchange and lending, laundry service, car and bike rental, service corner with fridge, microwave and electric kettle, parking space.
Has excellent rooms with shared (always clean)bathrooms and kitchen, the possibility to make your own sandals thanks to Pancho (but at least one traveller reports unwanted advances from him, so young women may want to keep this in mind) and his workshop, a great variety of tours, organized by themselves, and the best is the assistance they give to passengers, they really make you feel at home, so don't hesitate in asking them for whatever you may need.
Has excellent rooms with private bathrooms, hot water, shared kitchen facilities, TV room and free internet.
Nice hostel neart the market. Member of HI get 10% discount. Staff helpful, good kitchen, living room and terraza. Breakfast and internet included.
Peaceful hostel in a quiet neighborhood next to the Japanese gardens. Walking distance to Lider and downtown.
La Recova is the central market of La Serena. It has 143 stores.
By car
From the north and the south, the main access route to the city is via route 5, which is a double-lane highway from the south and one-lane highway from the north.
By plane
Buses leave several times every hour from La Serena to Valle del Elqui. The trip takes 1–2 hr. Ticket price: 2,000-3,000 pesos depending on where you go. They leave every hour from the bus station.
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La Serena-Coquimbo · Regional · LSC
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