Experience Arica

Overview

Arica is the “City of Eternal Spring” due to its constant pleasant climate. A delightful port city in the northernmost portion of Chile on South America’s western coast known as the Arica Bend, or Arica Elbow. The coastal city enjoys a warm, sunny climate year-round and is considered to be the driest inhabited place on earth due to its proximity to the Atacama Desert. A lovely seaside resort town that is blessed with several welcoming brown sugar sand beaches, verdant parks, spectacular surf spots, and some great attractions like the Morro de Arica National Monument.

Things to see and do

Wander around the central heart of the city and explore the many pleasant plazas including Plaza Colon, and Vicuna Mackenna. The city center is laid out in a typical colonial Spanish-style square grid that is easily navigable on foot. There is a pedestrianized area with an outdoor shopping center that has plenty of shops, and restaurants.

Arica is home to over 12 miles of eye-catching beaches like Playa Chinchorro, and Playa la Lisera, which are the places to be to soak up the city's year-round warm sunny weather. The many beaches that span the coast are popular for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. The Pacific Ocean waters are excellent for surfing with internationally renowned waves like the one named “El Gringo”, with barreling waves breaking left and right, and swelling up to 12 feet. Boogieboarding is popular too. The city is part of the World Surf Cities Network and the host of international tournaments and world championships every year. It was the site of an ASP world tour contest in 2007.

Visit Luaca National Park which sits at 14,000 feet above sea level, and is part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves covering 140,000 hectares. The park features a great variety of hiking and walking trails that pass through some spectacular natural scenery. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife like vicunas, llamas, and Chilean flamingos. The park is also home to the world’s highest lake; Lake Chungara famed for its diversity of birds, the park is a great place to go bird watching.

Go hiking up the Morro de Arica for the best views over the city of Arica. El Morro de Arica is an emblematic hill with a strategic position in the city, that was a key point during the War of the Pacific due to its natural viewpoint. Visitors can climb the steep slopes and visit the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, a tribute to those who fought in the War of the Pacific. They can also check out the Museo Historico del Morro de Arica which tells a story of the battle and transition of Arica to Chilean territory and a detailed view into the events that marked the region. The Mirador de la Virgen del Carmen viewpoint allows visitors to absorb the awe-inspiring panoramic views over the city and the sea.

Check out the Anzota Caves, a geological formation that was carved out by the ocean. The caves are a part of the Anzota Caves Route offering some great trails for walking, hiking, and biking. The caves were once home to the fishermen of the Chinchorro culture who were the first human group to pay homage to their ancestors and death through mummification.

The Carnaval Con la Fuerza del Sol (Carnival Force of the Sun) is celebrated annually in Arica (January or February) drawing in a large crowd of over 100,000 spectators. It is one of the most important carnivals in South America, filling the streets of Arica with colorful parades with elaborate masks, and costumes along with native dances that represent different cultures.

Visit the fertile oasis of the Azepa Valley famous for its olives and tropical fruits, and head out to the beautiful countryside where you can go for a pleasant bike ride through the verdant valleys and attractive landscapes. The verdant valley is nestled between sandy hills and is fed by the San Jose River, it is renowned for its production of olives. Check out the San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum which houses 1,000-year-old mummies of the Chinchorro culture, and pre-Columbian pieces that were discovered in the Caleta Camarones Indigenous cemetery.

Beaches

The beaches in Arica are one of its main attractions. The city boasts around 12 miles of coastline with brown sugar sand beaches to take advantage of. The climate in Arica is mostly sunny year-round and it never rains, this calls for a beach day during the summer months. Arica is a seaside resort town and a popular destination for surfers. Av. Costanera San Martin is the coastal road where the city meets the Pacific Ocean. The road leads to Playa La Lisera nestled in a lovely semicircle bay with beautiful surroundings, it is a popular spot for surfing and bodyboarding with picnic areas offering barbeques. Playa El Laucho is just south of the Alacran peninsula, a small beach with fine sand, and calm, safe waters ideal for swimming. Playa Chinchorro is an extensive beach great for long walks on the sand, it boasts crystal clear waters that are ideal for snorkeling, and swimming. There are some restaurants, cafes, and food trucks on the beach side. Playa Las Machas is a favorable spot for the locals with plenty of beach activities to choose from especially surfing with its ideal surf conditions.

Dining

The dining scene in Arica is a splendid mixture of traditional Chilean cuisine blended with international flavors that reflect the diverse cultural influences of the city. The port city offers a great variety of dining options as well as a variety of different food including exceptional seafood and street food which are among the most popular and common. Delicious fresh fish, seafood, and shellfish come from the nearby Pacific Ocean, these are caught and brought in daily by the local fisherman and served up in the waterfront restaurants. There are a lot of great restaurants in the city and many cozy cafes offering delicious fresh coffee, and pastries. Many of these establishments can be found lining 21 de Mayo in the downtown area, as well as on Raul Pey, and along the waterfront and beaches. There are some excellent food markets and street food to enjoy in Arica where food lovers can taste some of the traditional authentic flavorful dishes. Enjoying dinner while taking in the sea views is a great way to dine in Arica. The city is home to several beautiful beaches with Playa Chinchorro being one of the most popular, dining at one of the restaurants here allows visitors to experience the breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean while dining on some of the tastiest and freshest seafood, and fish and other regional dishes like octopus ceviche or crab soup.

Some authentic Chilean dishes include caldillo de congrio (fish stew with tomatoes and potatoes), and ceviche using fresh bass and scallops. Locally sourced fresh ingredients are used to make Chilean specialties such as machas a la parmesan (razor clams layered with cheese, white wine, and lemon juice), along with seafood stews using freshly caught fish from the Pacific. Other classic popular dishes include Empanadas typically filled with meat, cheese, or seafood and then baked or fried. Completo is a Chilean-style hot dog loaded with toppings like sauerkraut, diced tomatoes, pebre (spicy salsa), and generously adorned with mayonnaise. Pastel de Choclo is a traditional hearty casserole dish made with ground corn, seasoned meat, onions, and olives, then topped with a golden crust made from cornmeal. Alfajores is a sweet dessert of soft, delicate cookies filled with dulce de leche.

Nightlife

Arica’s nightlife scene is vibrant and varied with a variety of activities to choose from like beachside dining and entertainment, evening cultural tours, and high-energy parties.The city is host to a great mixture of bustling bars, happening nightclubs, cocktail lounges, and casinos to suit every preference. There are lively salsa clubs available to dance the night away, laid-back beachside bars to enjoy a spectacular sunset, and a great selection of cozy pubs and fun bars with live music and excellent drink options. After the sun sets in Arica there is a great range of dynamic and lively options for a fun night out in the coastal city. The bars, lounges, and clubs dotted around downtown Arica draw in tourists and locals alike with dynamic drinks like the world-class caipirinha, pulsating beats, and an all-around exciting and lively atmosphere. The beaches are great for an evening of entertainment, Playa El Laucho is a popular stretch of sand in the city. It boasts a spectacular scene at night when it becomes a meeting point for tourists along the promenade which is brimming with beachfront restaurants, and bars that offer outdoor terraces to enjoy the seabreeze. The summer months are even more exciting when beach parties are in full swing with live music, DJs, and tons of fun activities. For those looking to gamble the night away, the Casino de Arica is available in the heart of the city. There's a wide range of games to choose from including slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette. The casino boasts an on-site restaurant and bar and offers live shows including concerts, and comedy shows.

Arica is one of the most spectacular places in the world for stargazing due to its location near the Atacama Desert boasting clear skies and low light pollution. There are nighttime excursions that take visitors out to observe the magical starry night skies. Constellations of the southern hemispherecan be seen and visitors can learn about the interesting astrology of the region as tours include telescopes and expert guides.