Tourism in the City of Antofagasta

Distance: 1.361 kilometers away from Santiago
Main Activity: Copper Extraction and Fishing

The important history of Antofagasta is showed through the great national monuments, amongst them: the historic neighborhood where the Muelle Salitrero (the nitrates dock), the former Maritime Authority and the former Customs House are located. At the present time, the main cultural and economic activities are concentrated here.

This is an important city that grows from a long and narrow land, boarding the coast as far as the foothills of the Mountain. This zone is outstanding for its good and almost permanent sunny weather.

A peculiar characteristic is the copper extraction out of the open-pit copper mines, the most important all over the world: Chuquicamata and La Escondida.

Antofagasta is considered the fifth most populated city of Chile.

It is interesting to visit the saltpeter offices of San Francisco Puelma and Chacabuco, both are located 100 kilometers from Antofagasta.

Traveling to the north, along the coast road, you will arrive to La Portada de Antofagasta. On the way, you will see the fishing terminal and several beaches. Further to the north, you will find excellent resorts like Mejillones.

The most important beaches are: the Municipal Spa, Juan Lopez, Las Almejas and Huascar.

How to get to Antofagasta:

By bus: There are many daily services from all the nearby cities, as well as from Santiago. You can get information at the bus terminal of any city.
By Car: To go to Antofagasta city, from any point in the south, you should take the route 5 to the north (the Pan-American Highway). There are 564 km from Copiapó and 898 km from La Serena. If you arrive from the north, you should take the route 5 towards the south. There are 205 km from Calama and 493 km from Iquique.
By Air: There are many regular flights from The Santiago National Airport. You can consult about departure times.

Tourist Attractions:

· Cathedral
· Municipal Theater
· The Oceanographic, Mineralogical, Geological and Archaeological Museums
· Juan Francisco Vergara Square
· Miraflores Wharf
· National Monument of Aduana
· Torre Reloj of the Colon Square
· The Huanchaca Ruins

Balneario Juan Lopez (spa), it is located 31 kilometers from Antofagasta. It rests on a closed bay in the shape of a horseshoe, where it is protected from the wind. The beach has gray sand with calm and warm water.

Balneario de Hornitos (spa), it is located 91 kilometers from Antofagasta. This is a beautiful beach of fine sand and warm water. It is surrounded by cliffs. There are areas for camping and picnics.

Observatorio Astronómico Austral Europeo (astronomic observatory).
It is located approximately 136 kilometers from Antofagasta in the mountain of Paranal at an altitude of 2664 meters above the sea level.

Visits are free and can be arranged by phone (55)435000- for more information, you can consult the web page: www.eso.org/paranal/site/visitors

Village of TalTal. It is located approximately 280 kilometers from Antofagasta. It is a neat, little city. Its main activities are fishing and mining.

A very famous town thanks to the abundance of "red conger". It has one of the deepest trenches all over the world.

Other interesting places to visit are: The church of San Francisco. Ex Maritima Gobernacion Building, Arturo Prat Square, The House of Culture, La Puntilla, The Cave of Virgen de Lourdes, The Ferrocarril Salitrero and the Steam Locomotive.

The most important beaches are: Las Tórtolas, Cifuncho, Tierra del Moro, Poza, La Tortuga, Muelle de Piedra, Las Lozas, Cachinales, Matancillas and Bandurrias, all of them, with abundant fishing.

General Information:

Commerce Schedule: From Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 13:30 and 17:00 to 21:30. Saturday 10:00 to 13:30