Tourism in the City of Copiapo

Distance: 801 Kilometers away from Santiago
Main Activity: Mining and Fruit Growing Center

This is the capital city of the region of Atacama. A city that represents a transition between the desert and the valleys; as a result, the climate conditions are varied.

Its main activities are agriculture, mining and tourism.

Tourist Attractions:

· Mineralogical and Regional Museums
The museum of minerals depends on the University of Atacama. It is located at the corners of Colipí and Manuel Rodríguez Streets, one block from The Prat Square.
This is the most complete museum in the country in terms of mineralogy, and it is one of the best in the world. It has one of the most complete mineral collections in South America: it counts with 14,000 objects. The pieces are joined by an explanation of its origin, function and use.
Here, you can find the silver rosicler stone, extracted from the Chañarcillo mine; this stone is one of the most valuable of the region because the substances that compose it are extra-terrestrial. There is also a fragment of extra-terrestrial material, 79 kilos weight, which was found in the Atacama Desert.

· The University of Atacama
The University is located on Copayapu Street, Nº 485, and was founded in 1857. It is placed in an old building where you will also find the ancient Locomotora de Copiapo. This locomotive belonged to the “Escuela de Mina”, it is a National Monument because it was part of the first train service in Chile (December 25th, 1851).
 
Some other interesting places to visit are:
· San Francisco, Piedra Colgada and Belen Churches
· Viña de Cristo Palace, built in 1860
· National Museum and Regional Museum of Atacama
· The Catedral
· Candelaria Santuary Church
· San Fernando Town
· The Armas and Prat Squares
· The Pretil Park
· Train Station

How to get to Copiapo

By Bus:
Buses depart often from Santiago and from nearby cities. From Santiago, the travel takes 11 hours at night or day. You can consult at the bus station (Terminal Rodoviario).

By Car:
In case you are coming from the north, you should go to the south by taking the route 5. From Arica, there are 1,267 km and from Antofagasta, there are 564 km.
In case you are traveling from the south, you should go to the north by taking the route 5 too. From Santiago, there are 807 km, from Valparaíso, there are 756 km and from La Serena, there are 334 km. From Santiago, the journey takes 10 hours.

By Plane:
Each day you can find flights to Copiapo from Santiago, the travel takes one hour. There are connections to other cities such as Iquique, Antofagasta and Calama.

General Information:

Commerce Schedule: From Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 13:00 and 16:30 to 21:30 Saturday: 10:00 to 13:30

Ilustre Municipalidad de Copiapo
Chacabuco, Nº 857. Telephone:219020. Fax:219020

Hotels in Copiapo

La Casona Hotel

This nice place is situated few blocks from the center of the city and 15 minutes from the airport.