Making the most of Antofagasta
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The ships are scheduled to dock at the Port of Antofagasta, located about 2 miles (3 km) from the town center. Taxis are not allowed inside the port.
Being the major attraction of the second region Antofagasta is a city with many traditions. This area/region is also blessed with the clearest skies in the world, with no more than 20 cloudy days in a year, and therefore home to many observatories with some of the world's largest telescopes. Of the places interesting to see, the Barrio Historico stands out. There you can visit the Muelle Salitrero, a national monument built in 1872 by the Melbourne Clarc Co. This pier was where they loaded the saltpeter for shipping to other parts of the world. It also served during the Pacific War as a place to embark and disembark Chilean soldiers. Another…
Getting around
The area of interest for most visitors is easily covered on foot.
La Portada: A natural arch formation located just north of the city, offering stunning views of the coastline and the Pacific Ocean.
Hand of the Desert (La Mano del Desierto): A large sculpture located in the Atacama Desert, a short drive from the city, symbolizing humanity and offering great photo opportunities.
See the sea lions, pelicans and smaller birds getting fed on fish waste in the fishermen´s harbor.
Food and shopping
Walk the pedestrian mall that links the two main squares, Plaza Sotomayor with its market, and Plaza Colon with its Big Ben replica.
Money
Credit Card acceptance is considerably reduced in small towns and communities, for which reason when visiting these it is recommended you take with you cash in local currency: the Chilean peso. 1 USD = 712 CLP. This will prevent any unpleasant surprises.
Staying connected
Spanish is Chile's official language
Chile has so-called cyber-cafes, stores offering Internet access. The cost of accessing the world info network varies from town to town. In Santiago, an hour online costs 4 dollars, while in Calama it costs 6 dollars, approximately. On the other hand, the main hotels and lodging places frequently offer Internet access to their guests, in many instances at no extra charge.
Ambulance service: 131 Fire Brigade: 132 Carabineros (Chilean police): 133 Drug Enforcement: 135 Andean Mountain Rescue Squad: 136 Sea Rescue: 137
Opening Hours and
Business and trade establishments in Chile are generally open to the public from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a 60-minute lunch break at 1 p.m. Saturday timetable is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In malls, the timetable is Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.