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Arica is a seaside resort town of 223,000 (2016) in Northern Chile. It's quiet, relaxed and safe, with several nice beaches and sun virtually every day of the year. Its mild weather has made Arica known as the "city of the eternal spring" in Chile while its beaches are frequented by Bolivians. This city is the northern gateway to Peru and Bolivia.
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St. Mark's Cathedral
The magnificent church designed by Gustave Eiffel (who also designed that tower in Paris) was built in the 1870s. It's a popular attraction.
A steep hill that overlooks Arica from 139 m above sea level. The views from el Morro are superb. You 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. The hill, together with the archaeological Museo de Sitio Colón 10 museum next to it and the mouth of Camarones River some 100 km south of Arica make up a world heritage site related to the pre-Columbian Chinchorro culture and their mummification practices.
The civic heart of the city, beside the cathedral, the public square where its residents congregate for celebrations, diversions or just being a part of the community.
Archaeological Museum
Outside the museum you can find petroglyphs. The exhibition has more than 20,000 archaeological pieces.
Desembocadura de Camarones
The mouth of Camarones river is, together with the hill and museum mentioned in #See, the third archaeological site and component in the world heritage site Settlement and Artificial Mummification of the Chinchorro Culture in the Arica and Parinacota Region. This was an important settlement during the pre-Columbian Cinchorro culture.
This restaurant has fish, seafood, salads and beef. Attention! only Sunday at lunch hour.
Clean double rooms with private bathroom for US$34 per night as of June 2012. Very safe, no breakfast, patchy Wi-Fi, Laundry. Walking distance to the beach. Just a couple blocks from the bus station.
Quiet place a short distance from the centre. Breakfast included, use of kitchen 4,500 pesos, hot water mornings only.
20 minutes walk to the centre. Excellent breakfast (included). Kiwi owner. Huge kitchen and a lovely view from the rooftop
Very friendly hostel, clean rooms, kitchen, with breakfast, nice and helpful staff.
Hostel close from the bus station and the beach. Very good atmosphere, perfect for those who are looking for fiestas. Rooms are new and clean. Hot showers, excellent breakfast and friendly staff.
By train
There are trains to and from Tacna (Peru) every day except Sunday.
By plane
Connections to/from Santiago and La Paz, Bolivia.
By bus
Buses 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 320 pesos.
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Arica · Regional · ARI
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