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Photo: La Serena and Coquimbo Photo: La Serena and Coquimbo Photo: La Serena and Coquimbo Photo: La Serena and Coquimbo

La Serena and Coquimbo

Take advantage of the beaches of La Serena during the spring and summer, walk along the long Avenida del Mar or go shopping at Recova, the area’s most famous market and arts & crafts fair.
In Coquimbo, you can’t miss La Herradura beach and Barrio Inglés’ nightlife. You can also try your luck at the casino. If you come during Chile’s Independence Holidays (September 18th / 19th) the party is at La Pampilla, a classic place to dance cueca, cumbia or salsa, taste typical dishes and have wine or pisco drinks.

If you have a sports soul, come and enjoy the many adrenaline spots of La Serena and Coquimbo: trekking, sport fishing, surfing and paragliding are some of the activities waiting for you.

Algo de nubes
14°C / 21°C
Tuesday
La Serena and Coquimbo
Some clouds

Prob. de precipitaciones: 2%Humedad: 35% Viento: a 10 km/h.
  • VIE
  • SAB
  • DOM
  • LUN
  • MAR
  • MIER
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Explore the charms La Serena and Coquimbo

  • Caleta San Pedro

    The Caleta San Pedro, a local food spot, is located close to La Serena. It brings together a select group of 10 restaurants, experts in the preparation of seafood based dishes. Don’t miss out on specialties like the crab pie, razor clams with parmesan cheese and seafood empanadas.

    Enjoy the spectacular ocean view while you taste a seafood mix with a glass of good local white wine and share recipes with the chefs from the area. The cove’s secret of success: the fish and shellfish come directly from the sea to the kitchen. Superb!

  • Pingüinos de Humboldt National Reserve

    Uninhabited islands with impressive animal presence and white sandy beaches are what the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve offers, a union of the Chañaral, Damas and Choros islands.

    On the islands you will be able to connect with nature meeting sea lions, bottlenose dolphins, and Humboldt penguins that form their colonies in this area and give the reserve its name. If you visit during the warm season, between October and April, you may even see first-hand giant humpback, blue, and fin whales.

    Besides admiring the beautiful beaches of Damas Island, you can also rest on them, dive in its waters and tour its trails until you reach lookouts with spectacular views of the reserve while the sun sets on the sea.

  • Punta de Choros

    Coming face-to-face with bottlenose dolphins, diving in crystal-clear waters and resting on one of the most beautiful beaches of the north of the country: Punta de Choros, a peaceful fishing village awaits you.

    Unwind at one of the several camping sites there and then discover penguins and sea lions on a boat trip to the Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve, which includes the Damas Island and the Choros Island. It’s an adventure that will let you take the best pictures of this true treasure of the Chilean coast.

  • Chañaral de Aceituno

    With its abundant sea life and seafood that will take your palate by surprise, this small fishing cove is ideal for diving, resting and enjoying the kindness and easy-going nature of the locals.

    Catch a boat to visit the Chañaral Island, part of the Pingüinos de Humboldt National Reserve, and be thrilled watching the whales that swim by the shore between November and April each year.

  • Pisco Elqui

    Located in the heart of the Elqui Valley in the middle of the scenic landscape of the Andes foothills, this small town is synonymous with leisure, relaxation and good drinks.

    Birthplace of the best hand-distilled piscos in the country, you can’t miss out on tasting this delicious spirit made from the muscatel grapes. When mixed with cola it is called piscola and is the favorite drink for Chileans when it’s time to party. Be sure to try it!

  • Fray Jorge National Park

    Visit this forest growing in the middle of a coastal desert area, more than 1,250 km away from its normal habitat, a real testimony of what the Atacama Desert was like more than 30,000 years ago.

    Walk through this land of gentle slopes with trails that will take you to lookouts from which you can see different animal species such as hawks, partridges, Humboldt penguins, and Andean foxes.

    In this forest you will be able to see up close more than 440 species of trees and native plants and breathe the pure air of a millenary nature.

Caleta San Pedro

The Caleta San Pedro, a local food spot, is located close to La Serena. It brings together a select group of 10 restaurants, experts in the preparation of seafood based dishes. Don’t miss out on specialties like the crab pie, razor clams with parmesan cheese and seafood empanadas.

Enjoy the spectacular ocean view while you taste a seafood mix with a glass of good local white wine and share recipes with the chefs from the area. The cove’s secret of success: the fish and shellfish come directly from the sea to the kitchen. Superb!

Wine and Gastronomy
Pingüinos de Humboldt National Reserve

Uninhabited islands with impressive animal presence and white sandy beaches are what the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve offers, a union of the Chañaral, Damas and Choros islands.

On the islands you will be able to connect with nature meeting sea lions, bottlenose dolphins, and Humboldt penguins that form their colonies in this area and give the reserve its name. If you visit during the warm season, between October and April, you may even see first-hand giant humpback, blue, and fin whales.

Besides admiring the beautiful beaches of Damas Island, you can also rest on them, dive in its waters and tour its trails until you reach lookouts with spectacular views of the reserve while the sun sets on the sea.

Nature
Punta de Choros

Coming face-to-face with bottlenose dolphins, diving in crystal-clear waters and resting on one of the most beautiful beaches of the north of the country: Punta de Choros, a peaceful fishing village awaits you.

Unwind at one of the several camping sites there and then discover penguins and sea lions on a boat trip to the Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve, which includes the Damas Island and the Choros Island. It’s an adventure that will let you take the best pictures of this true treasure of the Chilean coast.

Nature
Chañaral de Aceituno

With its abundant sea life and seafood that will take your palate by surprise, this small fishing cove is ideal for diving, resting and enjoying the kindness and easy-going nature of the locals.

Catch a boat to visit the Chañaral Island, part of the Pingüinos de Humboldt National Reserve, and be thrilled watching the whales that swim by the shore between November and April each year.

Nature
Pisco Elqui

Located in the heart of the Elqui Valley in the middle of the scenic landscape of the Andes foothills, this small town is synonymous with leisure, relaxation and good drinks.

Birthplace of the best hand-distilled piscos in the country, you can’t miss out on tasting this delicious spirit made from the muscatel grapes. When mixed with cola it is called piscola and is the favorite drink for Chileans when it’s time to party. Be sure to try it!

Wine and Gastronomy
Fray Jorge National Park

Visit this forest growing in the middle of a coastal desert area, more than 1,250 km away from its normal habitat, a real testimony of what the Atacama Desert was like more than 30,000 years ago.

Walk through this land of gentle slopes with trails that will take you to lookouts from which you can see different animal species such as hawks, partridges, Humboldt penguins, and Andean foxes.

In this forest you will be able to see up close more than 440 species of trees and native plants and breathe the pure air of a millenary nature.

Nature