Making the most of Arica
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
Ships dock close to the town centre. A pedestrian district runs 5 blocks east from the port, and the hilltop, always visible, provides an excellent point of orientation.
The town centre is about one mile (1.5 km) away. Taxis wait beyond the port gate, while shuttle vans make the short journey from the pier to the port exit. From there, the main square can be reached on foot.
In Northern Chile, Arica is a seaside resort town with a population of 223,000.
At the foot of El Morro Hill lies Arica, and the hill was the scene of a major battle of the Peruvian War (1879-83). Now a national historic monument, it includes an open-air museum. El Morro’s summit offers sweeping views across the city and ocean towards the distant Atacama. The San Marcos de Arica church, designed by the celebrated tower-builder Gustav Eiffel, is another local sight.
Arica was historically a key trade centre for goods from the interior, and Quechua and Aymara Indians still visit to sell traditional handicrafts. It is also an important transport hub, linked internationally by air to Bolivia and Peru. Adventure travellers know the city especially as the departure point for trips into the Atacama Desert.
Just outside town, the Museo Arqueologicò San Miguel de Azapa gives an excellent overview of the area’s history. Its most compelling exhibits include Incan mummies, their bodies perfectly preserved by the extraordinarily arid sands of the forbidding Atacama.
Called “The City of Eternal Spring”, Arica stands at Chile’s northern tip on the Pacific Ocean. Its mild, dry climate and swimming-friendly waters make it a popular beach resort throughout the year. Several sheltered coves south of town provide calm water and a picturesque, unspoiled setting for the best bathing spots.
Getting around
Walking is enough to reach most places in town.
Nearby places
The lengthy Chinchorro beach north of downtown has ample space for sunbathing, swimming and in-season jet ski rental. Restaurants, cafes, parks and an Olympic-size pool are close to the shore.
Food and shopping
Popular Arica purchases include llama sweaters and musical instruments. A number of markets and artisan shops offer varied handicrafts, while 21 de Mayo is the principal shopping street.
Money
Credit card acceptance is much more limited in small towns and communities, so take cash in the local currency, the Chilean peso, when visiting them. 1 USD = 712 CLP. Doing so avoids unpleasant surprises.
Staying connected
Chile’s official language is Spanish.
Chile has cyber-cafes, shops which provide Internet access, although the cost of using the world info network differs from town to town. An hour online costs 4 dollars in Santiago and approximately 6 dollars in Calama. Main hotels and lodging places often provide guests with Internet access, in many cases at no extra charge.
Dial 131 for Ambulance service, 132 for Fire Brigade, 133 for Carabineros (Chilean police), 135 for Drug Enforcement, 136 for Andean Mountain Rescue Squad, or 137 for Sea Rescue.
Opening Hours and
In Chile, business and trade establishments generally welcome the public Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a 60-minute lunch break at 1 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Malls are usually open Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.