Iquique
Chile · Tarapacá · 8 m
Description
Iquique is a port city in northern Chile, dramatically situated between the Pacific Ocean and the steep coastal escarpment of the Atacama Desert. The city is known for its long sandy beaches, world-class conditions for paragliding and surfing, and its rich history as the heart of Chile's nitrate industry. Along the restored Baquedano Street, elegant wooden mansions recall the prosperity of the late 19th-century nitrate boom, while the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Humberstone and Santa Laura preserve remarkable remnants of the country's industrial past. With its duty-free trade zone, year-round mild climate, and striking combination of desert landscapes, ocean scenery, and historic heritage, Iquique ranks among the most distinctive destinations in northern Chile.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – February
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Paragliding over the Coastal Dunes
- Humberstone & Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (UNESCO)(Day trip)
- Cavancha Beach
- Calle Baquedano Historic District
- Cerro Dragón Sand Dune
- Corbeta Esmeralda Museum Ship
- Surfing
- ZOFRI Duty Free Mall
- Paseo Costero Waterfront
- Plaza Prat & Clock Tower
- Regional Museum of Iquique
- Palacio Astoreca
- Casino de Iquique
- Yape Beach
- Brava Beach
- Pica Oasis Hot Springs(Day trip)
- Geoglyphs of Pintados(Day trip)
- Atacama Giant Geoglyph(Day trip)
- Reserva Nacional Pampa del Tamarugal(Day trip)
- Pozo Almonte(Day trip)
Getting there
- Airports:
- IQQ
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry