Things to do & places to visit in Coquimbo Region, Chile

Coquimbo Region #7 destination in Chile 2023. The average rating score is 4.37 based on 20.5k traveler reviews, of 225 attractions. Timezone: America/Santiago, current date and time: Sunday, May 05, 2024, 3:59.

Top things to do (38)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Doña Josefa de Elqui - Pisco Artesanal (1.618 reviews)
- A Gem!
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Distilleries

Traditional cellars used for the elaboration of pisco See more..
5.0 Elki Magic (603 reviews)
- Great cycle hire experience
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Distillery Tours • Bike Tours • Beer Tastings & Tours • Sightseeing Tours

We happened to stumble upon Elki Magic in Vicuña having made the journey from La Serena for the day having googled ‘bike hire’ nearby. Adeline (the owner) was really welcoming and friendly and provided us with a map for a great 18km route (as well as clear directions). Her route included a pisco distillery and a brewery and was perfect for the time we had in Vicuña. The bikes were in great condition and at 6,000 $ for four hours we’re very reasonably priced, Adeline also gave us spare tubes and a pump in case of punctures. Wish we’d been there longer so that we could have been on one of Elki Magic’s cycle tours. Would definitely recommend Elki Magic to anyone in Vicuña with a day or afternoon to fill. See more..
5.0 Ecoturismo La Serena (582 reviews)
- I will come back, for sure.
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM City Tours • Cultural Tours • Eco Tours • Dolphin & Whale Watching • Nature & Wildlife Tours

I took this tour with my grandfather, 91 y.o. and I 45 y.o. I coordinated all this emailing from Montreal. The company I dealt, La Serena Turismo, did a combination with Ecoturismo La Serena, to have the necessary people on the tour. In fact this was very positive because thankfully to our guide Sebastien, at the end of the tour we were all friends. Cristian from LST it's a real professional, very puntual and modulated speaker, awesome for my grandfather hearing. He took us from the hotel to the meeting point with Sebastien. The same for the way back. Sebastien, from ELS, was super enthusiastic and always being sure that everyone was having a good time. And indeed it was. Thank you very much! I will come back, for sure. See more..
5.0 Centro Astronomico Alfa Aldea (291 reviews)
- Great stargazing, even better storytellers
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

Located two kilometres from the city of Vicuna and overlooking nine hectares of beautiful and prolific vineyards you can find the 'Alfa Aldea' Natural Planetarium. In this splendid place you can enjoy an unforgettable stellar experience, a different concept of astronomical observation. Our intention is to be always in touch with nature, mirroring the way the first, ancient astronomers watched the skies. The modern astronomical facilities are located in the middle of the vineyards; in order to provide superior service and ensure a wonderful astronomical experience to our visitors a ground-level amphitheatre has been built with a seating capacity of 50 people. The design of the aforementioned building allows the installation of our last-generation telescopes of 10", 12" and 16" inches. All extra accessories (ocular lens suitcases and filters) are included and are available for the tour guide. Personalized tours are available in English and Spanish languages. See more..
5.0 Central Tour la Serena (153 reviews)
- A wonderful day
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Tours

Went on the tour to Valle de Elqui with Sebastian at tour leader & Francisco as driver. Had the most wonderful day. Glorious weather, lovely comfy bus, other people on tour lovely & Sebastian did a great job all round. Was highly organized but never officious or bossy, very amusing, speaks excellent English & according to several fluent English-Spanish speakers, translated everything - including all the jokes. We learnt heaps on this tour as Seb has incredibly in depth knowledge about everything including the history, geography, pisco making, etc. Fascinating. Lunch was included & was really good too. Thanks so much to all. See more..
5.0 Observatorio Natural Amatista (135 reviews)
- Absolutely amazing
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM Night Tours • Photography Tours

Such a lovely experience under the stars in a magical location. The hosts made us feel so welcome. So glad we chose this company! So relaxed See more..
5.0 Thucau Tour (109 reviews)
- Good Trip
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM Multi-day Tours • Cultural Tours • Private Tours • Photography Tours • Day Trips

It was really a good tour program even the weather was quite cold today. Parque de Fray Jorge is a good place to visit. See more..
5.0 Viajes Mirador (91 reviews)
- Fantastic day
Sunday: City Tours • Cultural Tours • Eco Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Day Trips

We saw a lot of animals on our tour and had a great English speaking guide with us! We spotted guanacos in the desert, saw a whale on just 10 metres from our boat, as well as dolphins, sea lions and pinguins. We have learned a lot about the land and had a fantastic unique day! See more..
4.5 Valle del Elqui (1.431 reviews)
- If you’re in La Serena you should not miss this
Mysterious Sites • Valleys

This beautifully landscaped valley is rumored to be linked with extraterrestrial activity throughout the years. See more..
4.5 Isla Damas (855 reviews)
- Unbelievably beautiful paradise
Islands

If you're staying in La Serena, then you should take your time to visit the Isla Damas. The islands and the beaches are simply breathtaking. And if you're lucky you'll even see penguins, seals, pelicans, sea elephants, dolphins AND whales! My trip there was just amazing! See more..
4.5 Destileria Pisco Mistral (850 reviews)
- Excellent!
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Distilleries

Welcome to the Pisco Mistral Distillery. For more information, visit: http://www.destileriapiscomistral.cl/ See more..
4.5 Jardin del Corazon (704 reviews)
- Beautiful Japanse Garden!
Gardens

Well what a surprise,to find this beautiful Japanse garden in La Serena. Very quiet too! If you have time,it’s a must see! Entrance fee very cheap too! We had a lovely day and had a lovely walk through this botanical garden See more..
4.5 Fundo Los Nichos (700 reviews)
- A must to discover pisco
Spent < 1 hour Distilleries

Fundo los nichos is the oldest pisco distillery in chile. The state is full of history and the pisco is just the best! Enjoy See more..
4.5 Punta Choros (614 reviews)
- More info on the local bus
Geologic Formations

It took me a fair amount of researching mostly Spanish websites to find out where this bus goes from so I thought I'd share the info here. It does indeed go from Panaderia los Griegos but for those of you without intimate knowledge of the whereabouts of la serena's bakeries, an address would be useful. It is on the north side of calle Francisco de Aguirre on the corner of los Carrera. It still costs 4500chp each way and leaves at 9. The bus was waiting from about 8 though and I wouldn't leave it too late as our bus was full by 845. I think it is still run by Hector and Eduardo and looks like a solid operation with no sign of stopping any time soon. As for Punta de choros, it is fairly touristy but not as bad as say San Pedro, the boat and island trip is good for wildlife spotting. If you go to isla damas, don't forget to get a conaf ticket, separate from the boat ticket. There is nothing in English, or no-one in any language telling you this, not even our guide checked we had this. To find the conaf office, you'll need to squeeze between some parked trucks, go round the back of a boat, past a makeshift campsite at the back of a cafe and through a gate. There you'll probably find about ten conaf staff standing round doing nothing but if you're lucky, they'll be able to find the one person allowed to operate the till to sell you a ticket (6000chp each). The boat trip does have a questionable impact on the wildlife but conaf, for all their flaws, seem to be monitoring things and trying to keep the human impact to a minimum. Overall, a trip worth doing (as others have said, so much cheaper than a tour). Don't forget a jacket and suncream! See more..
4.5 Turismo Migrantes (470 reviews)
- Pisco Elqui by car!!
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Sightseeing Tours

My partner and I did the valle del elqui tour (not by bike) which we would highly recommend if you prefer an in-depth look at many of the valley's best attractions! Orlando, our driver and guide, took us to multiple wineries and pisco distilleries while also educating us on the history and present of the valley. He was very informative and gave us lots of advice on how to make the most of our time in pisco elqui. Would highly recommend!! See more..
4.5 Pisquera Aba Oficial (348 reviews)
- Tour and tasting
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Distilleries

We had an interesting tour. We joined a group of spanish speaking people on the tour. The english guide wasn't available. Our guide, with only 4 months of English lessons , took the time to explain the operation of the distillery to us in the best english she had, after explaining it in spanish to the other tourists. At the end we were able to taste 2 different pisco sours. No charge for any of it. Well worth the time. See more..
4.5 Embalse Puclaro (237 reviews)
- Astonishing
Dams

One of the best places to see in the Elqui valley. Very beautiful place that we totally recommend... See more..
4.5 Centro Turistico Cooperativa Capel (230 reviews)
- More than Expected
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Distilleries • Speciality Museums

Porque queremos cuidarte, y por motivos de la contingencia sanitaria cerramos nuestro Centro Turístico hasta nuevo aviso, estaremos preparándonos para volver con el cariño y cordialidad de siempre. Apertura y más información será comunicada por nuestras redes sociales. See more..
4.5 Catedral De San Bartolome De La Serena (225 reviews)
- The Main Historical Cathedral of La Serena. WORTH VISITING
Churches & Cathedrals

The exterior of this moderate Cathedral is currently in the midst of having its exterior restored, Even with that happening, we loved stopping here on a Sunday to take a quick look of the interior. It is not over-the-top like many European Cathedrals but is more simple, yet beautiful. It features many gorgeous stained glass windows. BOTTOM LINE: This church is easy to find because it is located directly across the street from the main city plaza, Plaza de Armas. The construction began on this church in 1844 and dedicated twelve years later. The massive front doors are amazing. The Cathedral is named after San Bartolome who is the patron saint of La Serena. MY RATING: 8/10 See more..
4.5 Valle del Elqui (180 reviews)
- Quirky little town worth visiting for the day
Spent More than 3 hours Valleys

The Valle del Equi is worth the 2 1/2 hour bus ride from La Serena, however, ensure you travel on a Friday or Saturday as the towns in the Valle are much more lively. Mon to Thur, a lot of shops and restaurants close early or are not even open. I recommend hiring bikes and riding around the Valle; there is a tourist info shop that hires bikes for approx. 40,000Cl and drops you off at the top of the Valle and allows you to ride down. It's a nice bike ride back, takes approx. 2 hours and that includes stops at a winery and two distilleries. If you want to stay local, there are other places that hire bikes for cheaper and multiple hostels to choose from. See more..
4.5 Mosque of Coquimbo - Centro Mohammed VI para el Dialogo de las Civilizaciones (164 reviews)
- Well worth a visit
Points of Interest & Landmarks

You can visit Monday-Thurs. 9:30-12:30 and 14:30-17:00 Fridays 12:00-16:00. Sat and Sun. 11:00-13:00 y 14:00-16:00 . It is a beautiful copy of a Morrocan mosque. Remember to wear socks since you must remove your shoes at entrance. Very detailed art work. Guides will take you up the tower before 6pm. See more..
4.5 Observatorio del Pangue (160 reviews)
- Fascinating and beautiful!
Observatories & Planetariums

Astronomical Observatory offering guided Tours, as well as telescope renting programmes for advanced astronomers. Several large telescopes offered, ranging from 16 inches to 28 inches of aperture, and away from city lights. Groups strictly limited to 10 people per night, so booking in advance is requested. Transfert to the observatory (17km) included. Open every night except around Full Moon dates, all year long. Programmes performed in english, french, and spanish. See more..
4.5 Enchanted Valley (Valle del Encanto) (115 reviews)
- Enchanted for sure
Parks

Discovered in 1946, this National Historic Monument is filled with petroglyphs and fossils. See more..
4.5 Reserva Nacional Pinguino de Humboldt (104 reviews)
- Great visit with respect to nature
Spent More than 3 hours National Parks • Islands • Beaches

Very beautiful place, we arrived without a tour. Is an hour and a half drive from La Serena. You buy the tour ticket for CLP 10k and you need to also buy the entrance to the park which is 3k for chileans and 7k for foreigners. Very beautiful scenery, we even saw some dolphins on the way See more..
4.5 Cavas Del Valle (102 reviews)
- Great Moscatel wines
Wineries & Vineyards

Familiar and Boutique winery in the High Elqui Valley, in the chilean Andes. We produce organic wines of Shiraz, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pink Muscat. You can enjoy our cost free tours and hace a degustation of our products. Welcome! See more..
4.5 Playa de pichidangui (97 reviews)
- great beach
Spent 2-3 hours Beaches

the beach of pichidangui is awsome! you can do surf, swimm or just relax, you had a very great time there. the town by itself is not so interesting. a couple of blocks and thats it. See more..
4.5 Playas Socos (95 reviews)
- Best in Tongoy: The raw bar at Caleta de pescadores
Beaches

This is not a review about Playa Socos. I just could not find where to put the best in Tongoy, it falls under restaurant. At the Caleta de Pescadores, entrance on the right, the "raw bar"(oysters and scallops) taken out of the fish tanks, alive and cut open in front of you (7 scallops for 1000 pesos and 4 Oysters for 1000!!!!) the best MEAL YOU CAN HAVE IN TONGOY, RIVALLING ANY RAW BAR IN THE WORLD. TRY IT!! See more..
4.5 Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (95 reviews)
- I work here, well worth the visit.
Observatories & Planetariums

It has some great views from the top, is about two hours from La Serena and has a good tour for visitors. Only during the day though, if you want to actually see through a telescope go to Mamalluca in Vicuna. See more..
4.5 Ecoturismo La Serena (75 reviews)
- Great Tour, Great Guide, Great Time
Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours • Dolphin & Whale Watching • Nature & Wildlife Tours

We took the Isla Damas Tour with Eco Turismo La Serena and spent a great day exploring the islands, watching wildlife - lots of penguins, sea lions, sea birds - and admiring the landscape (blooming desert!). Our awesome guide Sebastian did an excellent job providing detailed knowledge about animals, plants and the vulnerable eco system. Thank you for sharing your excitement and admiration for this place! We also enjoyed the excellent food (gluten-free option was no problem) and had a lot of good laughs. Communication in English was easy but bring warm clothes and some snacks if you start as early as we did! See more..
4.0 Avenida del Mar (1.059 reviews)
- A Salvador Dali Museum Outdoors.
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Beaches

Sparkling beaches, hot hotels and local restaurants line this city street. See more..