Arica and Surroundings archivos

Brief history of Arica

It is known that the first inhabitants of this zone belonged to the Chinchorro culture, the distinguishing feature of which was their mummification technique. Specimens may be seen at the Arqueological Museum San Miguel de Azapa. In 1545 the silver mine of Potosí, in the Peruvian highlands, was discovered, and this resulted in the...

Pukará of Copaquilla

This National Monument is located some 100 km from Arica. It dates back to the 12th Century, and had to be restored by the University of Tarapacá in 1979. It is sited in an angle in the cliffs with a double wall for defensive purposes at one end. The interior is composed of some 400 rooms with circular walls and stone floors. Below the...

Tambo of Zapahuira

This tambo, a traditional inn where travelers stopped to rest, is located 107 km from Arica and has been declared National Monument. Under the Inca Empire it also served for the storage of a reserve of textiles, food and arms, and this service constituted the contribution that the village rendered to Sapa Inca (name given to important...

The Chango People

The Chango people lived along the coast from Arica to the Choapa River, surviving by fishing and hunting sea lions and whales, and gathering other marine species. They put to sea using boats made of inflated sea lion skins, venturing as far as 30 km off shore. They established their camps in sites where shell-fish collection and fishing...

Beaches and Beach Resorts of the

Playa Las Machas The beach is located in the vicinity of the "city of eternal spring"...

Morro of Arica

The Morro de Arica, declared a National Monument and an important symbol of the city, is a hill...

Surire Salt Plain National Monument

Situated at 266 km. southeast of Arica, this Natural Monument encompasses 1.7500 hectares...

Lauca National Park

Located 186 km. from Arica and 12 km. de Putre, is one of the highest altitude national parks in the...

Las Vicuñas National Reserve

It covers a surface area of 209.131 hectares at heights between 4.300 and 5.800 mts. above sea level...

The Azapa Valley

The Azapa Valley is an oasis enclosed between two ranges of low hills. The San José River runs through the valley. The river only has water in summer as in this period it receives rain water from the Andes. The valley provides the local area with a variety of fruits, some of which are also exported. Olives and tomatoes are the...

Codpa

Codpa is located 110 km south of Arica, at an altitude of 2,050m above sea level. Long ago, during the pre-Hispanic period, it was the residence of the cacique of "Altos de Arica" who ruled over Socorama, Putre, Livilcar, Tignamar, and other communities. It is located on the headwaters of the river Vítor, which ensures a supply of...

Guañacagua

This is a town situated at 2 250 metres above sea level in the Valley of Codpa. You can visit it on foot, travelling from Codpa. It has two main streets from which the town extends. Its houses are mainly made of adobe and some are made of stone. When you cross a bridge you will arrive at the town’s church which is a 16th century...

Turismochile, Top Tourist Attractions places, Hotels & Natural Reserves in Chile

Arica and Surroundings

Brief history of Arica

Pukará of Copaquilla

Tambo of Zapahuira

The Chango People

Beaches and Beach Resorts of the

Morro of Arica

Surire Salt Plain National Monument

Lauca National Park

Las Vicuñas National Reserve

The Azapa Valley

Codpa

Guañacagua

Practical Information

The handcrafts trail

Guaviña Church

Pukará of Copaquilla