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

Tarapaca Region #10 destination in Chile 2023. The average rating score is 4.25 based on 10.8k traveler reviews, of 51 attractions. Timezone: America/Santiago, current date and time: Saturday, May 04, 2024, 18:37.

Top things to do (36)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Parque Nacional Salar del Huasco (23 reviews)
- Un lugar maravilloso
National Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Deserts

Maravilloso lugar, no es complicado el acceso, se puede llegar con un auto no 4x4, cuidado con la altura en la ruta se alcanza 4280 m.s.n.m. See more..
5.0 Ruta Patrimonial (8 reviews)
- Agradable
Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas • Architectural Buildings

Un muy buen panorama para realizar, con calma, lugares muy bien mantenidos y limpio, para visitar en familia, pareja o solos... See more..
5.0 Paricota Tours (1 review)
- Visita a un lugar ancestral lleno de magia.
Cultural Tours • Eco Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours
See more..
5.0 QuebradaCamina (1 review)
- Petroglifos y cultura aymara en medio de una maravillosa quebrada.
Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water

A 195 klómetros de Iquique, y a 2800 metros de altura, llegamos a la Quebrada de Camiña, en cuyo trayecto encontramos pequeños poblados que viven de la agricultura. La zona posee, también, aguas subterráneas termales que todo turista gusta probar. Aquí, todo es muy sencillo, rústico, pero agradable. A precios muy bajos, la Junta de Vecinos de Camiña mantiene los barros medicinales y los baños de agua caliente, que relajan y reconfortan el cuerpo. La iglesia de Camiña data de 1632. En el trayecto, además, se pueden visitar los petroglifos de Chillayza, de más de 10.000 años de antiguedad. Y, por cierto, visitar los pequeños pueblos que viven de la agricultura en este oasis verde en medio del desierto más árido del mundo. Un tour imperdible, inolvidable. See more..
4.5 Playa Cavancha (1.861 reviews)
- Best holidays of my life!
Beaches

Cavancha beach is the second one in the center of Iquique. It is highly recommended for young children and teenagers, and for adult and older people as well. The beach has different option to rent, such as umbrellas, beach and lounge chair, and so on. You also can buy a soda or a snack. Watch out with the sellers, because there are a lot of them. The only thing that I bought them is sods, because I wasn’t sure about the quality of cooked food. The best hours to get there is between 10 to 14 and 18 to 20h. Enjoy! See more..
4.5 Oficina Salitrera Santiago Humberstone (1.659 reviews)
- A piece pf history and the story of the human spirit
Ghost Towns

If you are not familiar with the salitre industry history in Chile, this is a good starting point. Renovated in most parts, it tells you a story...of sacrifice, of social classes discrimination, of working and making your living and loving even under the most extreme life conditions. Note that employees and workers lived in different areas and type of houses...also the pool could be used only by employees and their families and after years, the administration opened it for workers and their families, but in a different time than employees. Everything is a piece pf history, but also explains a lot of this country’s present. For everyone it is a reminder on how mankind can be God and the Devil at the sametime. A real experience for the family! See more..
4.5 Museo Corbeta Esmeralda (1.349 reviews)
- I slice of history worth visiting
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Military Museums • Speciality Museums • History Museums

A very important part of history which is worth visiting! Unfortunately, all explanations along the well indicated tour is only in Spanish (not an uncommon here in Chile as for the tourism industry assumes its visitors only speak Spanish. Luckily, we did not hav an issue reading the explanations of the items we saw. There were tour guides through the boat to assist however we were able to easily stump them with questions they did not know how to explain or answer. They were quick to blamed the pandemic for being out of practice. The price of admission was CLP$4,000 (USD$4,75) for adults and about 1/2 that for children / students. The self guided tour takes about 40 minutes and its well worth it. Parking near the boat is slim and given its neighborhood surroundings, I would suggested taking all with you to avoid a bad day. The website says you need a reservation to visit, we called and was told that a reservation was not needed (+56572530812) Very glad we went! See more..
4.5 Baquedano Street (982 reviews)
- Visit the Museo Regional de Iquique ***
Neighborhoods

Baquedano street is really nice to get a sense of the old city. But the main attraction there is the Regional Museum, which is a must if you want to know more about the original cultures of the area, and the salitre era that shaped the old city of Iquique. I highly recommend it. (I hope that TA will make an entry for it under attractions. In the meantime I attach some pictures. Enjoy) See more..
4.5 Salitrera Santa Laura (354 reviews)
- Incredible walk through history
Speciality Museums

Around an hour from Iquique and standing the intense sun and warm evening winds, Santa Laura offers an incredible view of the Salt Pepper works that were done all over the north of Chile. After walking throughout all the industrial site, Santa Laura definitely presents itself as a silent witness of the complex industrial processes and the hard working conditions workers had to endure those days. Make sure to bring confortable clothing, water, hats, sun glasses and sunscreen. See more..
4.5 Regional Museum of Iquique (225 reviews)
- A Must...
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 1:45 PM Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

We are the heart of the cultural and natural heritage of Northern Chile! From the origins of life in Tarapaca to the ancient precolumbian peoples and cultures of Northern Chile and the Andes. See more..
4.5 Paseo Peatonal Cavancha (220 reviews)
- The most famous place of iquique
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Piers & Boardwalks

The place is amazing but the number of tourist in summer increase a lot, but if you are a good traveler the morning is the best moment to swim in the sea. The evening is for the shopping in the Zona Franca. The night in cavancha have shows, street food, kids games and a lot of people. But if you walk around the beach is the perfect moment at every hour. See more..
4.5 Boya Esmeralda de Iquique (174 reviews)
- Nice trip
Points of Interest & Landmarks

We took the Milenko 1 boat at the caleta, we had to wait about 15 minutes till the tour started. The captain explains everything you are watching, and after 30 minutes, you arrive to the place where the “combate naval de Iquique” took place. The captain tells you the whole story about this Chilean heroes and when you arrive to the Boya, the place where the Esmeralda sunk, the chicken enthem starts and it’s really overwhelming. You take a trip to the past. A really nice and educating trip, you will enjoy it. See more..
4.5 Geoglifos Pintados, Pozo Almonte (100 reviews)
- Must visit
Spent 2-3 hours Hiking Trails

It is on ruta 5 around a hour from Iquique, direction Antofagasta. Conaf is managing it. 4000 pesos entrance. It is 3 km from the road but the road to the Geoglifos is paved. You can walk 1 km and you will see around hundred Geoglifos. Good parking space. See more..
4.5 Paseo Peatonal Baquedano (92 reviews)
- Walk or ride- an Iquique must
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas

We had a great time on the paseo. The colors and old (mostly wooden) buildings were nice to see. The kids loved the tram. See more..
4.5 Santuario de Nuestra Senora Del Carmen de la Tirana (75 reviews)
- A fabulous church..
Spent More than 3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

The Iglesia de la Virgen del Carmen de la Tirana was built to honour an Incan princess, who, after having many Christians killed, fell in love with a Portuguese prisoner and converted to Christianity, only to be killed together with her husband on their wedding day by her late subjects. Made mostly of Oregon pinewood, the church has an enormous representation of the Last Supper amongst many of its riches. Once a year the church becomes the focal point of the huge Festival de la Tirana, when many of the celebrants will walk ten kilometers to reach their goal. See more..
4.5 Parque Nacional Volcan Isluga (37 reviews)
- Great
National Parks • Volcanos

At the north of Chile you will find a great place to visit. All the national parks are wonderfull. We visit this place and Lauca. Great!!! See more..
4.5 Geisers of Puchuldiza (35 reviews)
- fantastic!
Spent More than 3 hours Hot Springs & Geysers

great sight to see, geysers spewing hot water across the desert, or bubbling with billowing smoke from underground. See more..
4.5 Costanera (23 reviews)
- Un lindo paseo peatonal
Spent 2-3 hours Scenic Walking Areas

Felicito a la Municipalidad por lograr un paseo bonito limpio ycon las plantas verdes y mantenidas. Da la mejor impresión de la ciudad. See more..
4.5 Museo De La Vivencia Religiosa Del Norte Grande (20 reviews)
- muy interesante
Saturday: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

The Museum of La Tirana, speaks from the Religious Experience of the Great North, highlighting its intangible heritage and ensuring that the community is reflected being aware of its own identity. See more..
4.5 Barros Chinos (18 reviews)
- Mudbaths to cure what ails you!
Spent 1-2 hours Thermal Spas

The therapeutic properties of this mud have been known for many years. We were really impressed by the facilities here - clean bathrooms and changerooms and booths for getting the mud on. We changed into our swimsuits and went into a booth where we received our buckets of mud. You apply the mud all over your skin (and hair! Optional), and then lie back on sun lounges while the mud dries. Mamina is blessed with clear skies and SUN most days of the year, so you will be able to warm up a little - the mud is not warm! Then you make your way down to the warm pool to wash the mud off and soak in the relaxing waters. If desired, there are icy cold showers to complete your experience! Cost was only CP3000 each and children were free. See more..
4.5 Gigante de Tarapaca (15 reviews)
- Gigante de Tarapaca
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Well worth a visit to see the largest prehistoric human figure in the world. A good place to stop on a long drive - with information boards about the site. See more..
4.5 Monolito Centenario (10 reviews)
- Difficult access, great view
Monuments & Statues

Against a striking backdrop of water and hills, this monument honors a victory over Peru during the War of the Pacific. See more..
4.5 Salar de Coposa (6 reviews)
- lugar rustico
Geologic Formations

es un paraiso de la naturaleza con una laguna muy bonita, dan ganas de quedarse pero no hay ninguna comodidad See more..
4.0 Plaza Prat (494 reviews)
- Lovely square with some nice and grand buildings and a central clock tower
Points of Interest & Landmarks

This is the main square of Iquique, certainly from the perspective of a tourist. The three most interesting buildings are the theatre, the Spanish casino (which never was a casino) and the clocktower. The square itself is quite green and has some running water as well. The Spanish casino was a Spanish men's club, but is now a Spanish restaurant. The square itself has many salespeople as well as benches in the shade, and is always lively. See more..
4.0 Terminal Agropecuario de Iquique - Region de Tarapaca (254 reviews)
- An authentic touch of daily life in Iqueque
Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

Huge indoor \outdoor market. Fresh produce,meats , fresh fish of all kinds. Stalls selling clothes,handicrafts and all sorts of stuff. Also authentic street foods. If you have some free time don't miss it. See more..
4.0 Playa Brava (252 reviews)
- Playa Brava - Bustling with activity
Spent < 1 hour Beaches

We enjoy walking everyday during our stay in Iquique to Playa Brava, as it is close to where we were staying. It is beautiful to see the sunset here. We can see para gliders land here. Dogs play in the water with their owners, people pitch their umbrellas and bask in the sun. It is busy all through the day, and weekends it is packed with people, revellers, holidayers, and all young and old enjoy their outing here. We get to see youngsters on bikie rinks and skating rinks and it is a treat to see them with their rink antics. See more..
4.0 Teatro Municipal de Iquique (170 reviews)
- Understage is the star
Points of Interest & Landmarks

If you're on the square, take the time to take a look at this municipal theater from Iquique's nitrate boom time. As others note, it's free. Imagine the finely dressed crowds. I understand it;s no longer used for performances, which seems a shame. But for me the real star was underneath the stage with its gorgeous wooden mechanisms for magically lifting actors letting them magically appear on stage. Don't miss down under. See more..
4.0 Valle de Los Dinosaurios (100 reviews)
- Fun stop on the way to Pica
Spent < 1 hour Parks

This park has dinosaur statues and information as you walk around in a circuit. There are restrooms and kiosks so it is a great place to break your journey and stretch your legs. See more..
4.0 Torre del Reloj (77 reviews)
- Nice plaza
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues

When in Iquique, it is a must to approach the clock tower passing through Baquedano, in order to absorb the northern chilean flair, antique buildings from the prosperous niter epoch, until reaching the unique plaza. See more..
4.0 Centro Cultural Palacio Astoreca (66 reviews)
- Very passionate guide
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

We really enjoyed exploring this fascinating old house. There are several rooms to see downstairs, plus an exhibition of photos of the mine workers. We asked if there was anything more to see upstairs and a friendly lady very kindly agreed to show us. There is a museum exhibit of shells collected by a local man then sold to Pinochet. There is also a series of suites used by the children of the family, completely in contrast to the mine workers who could not even afford razors to shave with. The lady was clearly very passionate about the house and very knowledgeable about its history, the mining and the vast social differences present at the time. It turned out the family moved away only a year after the house was built, selling it all including contents (even the food in the cupboards) for 100 pesos....just because they could afford to do so! It was a very interesting visit. Free entry too - just a box for donations if you want to contribute. See more..