Arica

On the coast around Arica lived the Chinchorro culture, whose artificially mummified dead are among the oldest in the world and are several thousand years older than the Egyptian mummies. The Chinchorro settlements and burial sites in Arica and Camarones have been UNESCO World Heritage sites since 2021.During the colonial period, Arica was an important port for silver from Potosí. In the War of the Pacific, Chilean troops captured the Morro de Arica in 1880; the city remained under Chilean administration thereafter and was finally ceded to Chile with the Treaty of Lima in 1929.The cityscape is shaped by two iron structures from the Peruvian period: the Catedral de San Marcos and the former Customs Building, both commissioned from Gustave Eiffel's company.The proximity to Peru and Bolivia is evident in its cuisine, music, and festivals. Aymara communities from the highlands celebrate the Carnaval Andino con la Fuerza del Sol annually with dance groups and brass bands. The Afro-Chilean community of the Azapa Valley also maintains its own traditions, dances, and rhythms.

Getting ThereChacalluta Airport is located north of the city, with connections to Santiago and other northern cities. Long-distance buses from Iquique, Calama, and Santiago arrive at the bus terminal in the east of the city center. From the adjacent international terminal, buses and shared taxis cross the border into Peruvian Tacna.In the CityThe city center, encompassing Paseo 21 de Mayo, Plaza Colón, and El Morro, is easily explored on foot.Colectivos: These shared taxis operate on fixed routes with numbers, connecting the center with neighborhoods and beaches. Payment is in cash.Micros and Taxis: City buses also run on fixed routes. Taxis and ride-sharing apps are common. For taxis, confirm the fare before starting your trip.Azapa Valley: To reach the Museo Arqueológico San Miguel de Azapa, take a Colectivo from the city center.Altiplano: For Putre and Parque Nacional Lauca, you'll need a rental car, a tour, or the small buses to Putre.