12 Best Things to Do in Iquique Chile

Best Things to Do in Iquique Chile,  The capital of Chile’s Tarapaca Region the coastal city was founded in the sixteenth century. The strategic port remained part of Peru however until the War of the Pacific in 1883. It was around this time that a nitrate mining boom financed the construction of many of the beautiful old buildings that dot its historic center today.

The  Miamiesque city has a lovely plaza and some beautiful streets to stroll, like Calle Baquedano, and a bustling Central Market. Keep your eyes peeled for politically fueled street art and graffiti. One of the more adventurous things to do in Iquique Iquique  is to paraglide above the city. There are a few interesting day trips like the ghost town of Humberstone.

the best of Iquique, join one of the top tours & day trips on offer, and have a friendly local show you some of the most popular landmarks. Offering free cancellations and no added fees, our top {6 fun activities in Iquique  fun activities in Iquique} are also worth a look.

 Best Things to Do in Iquique Chile map

Where to Stay in Iquique

The best place to stay in Iquique is the area closest to the Cavancha beach. Cavancha beach is Iquique´s best beach and has a great atmosphere as well being a great spot for swimming. The beaches’ central area is home to the Yacares theme park, among other amenities, meaning there isn´t anywhere to stay round here.

the beach is Arriendo Diario Iquique a budget-friendly option with an amazing rooftop pool. Set right next to several shopping centers, the large, private apartment is equipped with everything needed for a pleasant stay.

Budget hotels in Iquique ; 

Hotel Rozal Spa Iquique · From $55.20 per night. 4.8 Review score 377 reviews ; Gran Cavancha Suite · From $75.11 per night.

Gran Cavancha Hotel & Apartment, Hilton Garden Inn Iquique  and Hotel Diego de Almagro Iquique got great room view-related reviews from travelers in Iquique.

 low price hotels in Iquique ; 

Hotels in Iquique from ₹ 1,563 – Find Cheap Hotels with momondo

How to get there

Long distance buses are also available to many places up and down the country’s long Pacific coast. Some even head to La Paz, Oruro and Cochabamba in Bolivia.

In Iquique, you can either walk to the center or beach from your hotel or hop on a bus and hail a taxi.

Teatro Municipal

 

he old theater exhibits some exquisite architecture with its brilliantly bright white facade overlooking the iconic clock tower in the center of the square outside. Other than admiring its ornate neoclassical features and snapping some pics, visitors can usually also enter its richly-decorated amphitheater.

Since it has been established in 1865, it became the hub of Almagro cultural life, and it was here where plays, zarzuelas, musical concerts and even the first movies were shown to amazed novice cinema audiences. During the first half of the 20^th century it was used as a cinema theatre but in the late 1960s it was left apart in sadly poor conditions.

 Go Paragliding

 

What makes Iquique  so perfect is its dry climate and steady ocean breeze combining to create consistent thermals. With only a handful of non-flyable days per year, pilots of all levels can clock up some serious air time.

paragliding, sport of flying parachutes with design modifications that enhance their gliding capabilities. Unlike hang gliders, their close relations, paragliders have no rigid framework; the parachute canopy acts as a wing and is constructed of fabric cells with openings at the front that allow them to be inflated by movement through the air—the “ram-air” effect.

From the late 1960s interest in the gliding ability of parachutes grew slowly but steadily. The paraglider developed in the United States and in Alpine areas of France and Switzerland,to which jump parachute canopies are subjected, thinner lines and lighter construction were used; this reduced drag, and the glide capability increased.

 Zofri Mall

Almost like a mini-city, the colossal shopping complex was first opened to the public in 1976. Its low price tags and enticing tax rates mean shoppers and investors have flocked here ever since. Across its two vast floors, you can buy everything from accessories and electronics to clothes, jewellery and even car parts.

well as for the thousands of consumers who visit it every day. Purchases made in the mall by residents of the Tarapacá Region of Chile (where Iquique is its capital) are exempt from paying duties and taxes. 

For their part, purchases made by tourists are also beneficiaries of these tax exemptions up to a limit of US$ 1,375 per person, provided that the products purchased are not intended for commerce and are part of the traveler’s luggage.

9. Regional Museum

We really loved the museum due to its well-thought-out exhibitions and the remarkable architecture of the historic building itself. Bordering the beautiful Baquedano Street, it boasts a colourful facade, lovely courtyard and light and airy galleries.

Regional Museum of Natural History Bhubaneswar (Entry Fee, Timings, History, Images, Location & Entry ticket cost price)The museum is a wonderful attempt to showcase this biodiversity under one roof to create awareness about the natural heritage of the state and the world. At the same time,

appraise people about the importance of the flora and fauna of the natural ecosystem and their conservation, since survival of a man is heavily dependent upon their well being. The establishment of the museum was initiated in the year 1994 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India.

 

Go Surfing

While many of these rather gnarly reef breaks are only suitable for experienced pros,

Skillful surfers can already attempt exciting but intimidating breaks such as Punta Dos, Las Urracas and El Bestia. If surfing is not your thing, you can always try bodyboarding and windsurfing instead or watch others zip across the ocean’s shimmering surface on their boards.

Starting on the beach, the teacher will show you how to balance before you advance to the open ocean. Here you’ll learn how to stand up, paddle out and safely surf small waves.

Overlooking the Aswem beach, Vaayu Waterman’s village is a resort that has a dedicated sports centre perfect for surfers to hit the waves. Otherwise famously known as Goa’s only surf shop, Vaayu offers a range of water adventure sports like surfing, stand-up paddling,

Trip to the Red Lagoon

Hidden away in a remote part of the Chilean highlands, the mysterious lake has numerous myths and legends explaining its dazzling color. In reality, scientists are unsure why the little studied lagoon is red with most attributing it to algae and sediments.

Despite the long, tiring, difficult drive through the Andes to the lagoon, taking a tour here is well worth it. Aside from ogling at its unusual hue, you can also take in all the dramatic landscapes and scenery you pass on the way. There are also yellow and green lagoons to see nearby and ancient petroglyphs to stop off at along the route.

 

Now located along the waterfront, the huge wooden-hulled steam corvette was commissioned by the navy in 1855. It was eventually sunk during the Battle of Iquique by the ironclad Peruvian Huascar on 21st May 1879. Commanded by the Chilean national hero Arturo Prat who died trying to board the enemy ship, its loss actually led to the country mobilizing behind the war and winning it in 1884.

Museo Corbeta Esmeralda se encuentra ubicado en la ciudad de Iquique, al norte de Chile. Consiste en una representación a escala real de la corbeta chilena Esmeralda, hundida en el Combate Naval de Iquique ocurrido en 1879.

4. Baquedano Street

Also dating to between the 1880s and 1920s, many of its traditional wood houses were erected after the 1877 earthquake with proceeds from the mining boom. Known for its ‘Wild West’ look, the paved pedestrian street has an old tram track running through its center.

To either side are beautiful colonial-era buildings that have picturesque porches and balconies lining their facades. These now house countless local bars and restaurants that are packed with crowds of people in the evenings. You can also pick up souvenirs and gifts along the lively street or listen to the outstanding music acts and dance groups that perform here.

Playa Cavancha

Bordered by hotels and high-rises, parks and palm trees, the broad beach stretches just under three kilometers in length. While its warm, sheltered waters make it a great spot to swim, some fun surfing and bodyboarding can be hard at its northern end.

Aside from strolling about or cycling along its scenic boardwalk, you can also sunbathe, sail and jet ski. There are also numerous restaurants nearby and the prominent peninsula of the same name to explore too. Due to its proximity to the center, the beach can get quite crowded, particularly at weekends and holidays.

Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works

Set around forty-five minutes’ drive directly east of town, the sun-scorched site was first exploited for its nitrate in 1872. What followed was a mining boom that financed the building of many of the city’s most impressive old edifices. The saltpeter works were eventually abandoned in the 1960s however after decades of financial difficulties.

At the intriguing old ghost towns in the Atacama, you can now wander around rusting equipment and railroad cars left behind by the miners. The buildings’ striking shapes and the colours of the sky and desert about them also make for some fab photos. At one point, 200 mining communities dotted the desert with these two adjacent sites being the best-preserved of the lot.

Go Sandboarding

While there are loads of rather dramatic looking drops, there are also smaller slopes for beginners to try out. As such, people of all ages and abilities can enjoy sandboarding about the undulating dunes. The captivating landscapes and panoramas also help make it an unforgettable experience.