La Serena city

Distance: 474 Kilometers away from Santiago
Main Activity: Mining and Fruit Growing

Capital of the IV Region of Coquimbo. It has always been a resting point for the travellers that come through the dessert.

Founded at the beginning of the spanish conquest; it ruled the grounds and lands granted to the conquerors by the spanish crown in the valleys of Copiapó, Husaco, Elqui, Limarí and Choapa.

The city was the object of the attacks of the English corsairs Francis Drake, John Hawkins and other buccaneers in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

La Serena is the second oldest city of Chile, founded in 1544 to facilitate the communication with Perú by sea and land. The city was destroyed by the natives and rebuilt in 1549.

The city is built on a platean of marine origen.

The city is characterized by excellent hotels facilities, renown spas, a group of big observatories, varied bakery and house made liquors.

The city and its surroundings are famous for their colonial construction and for their modern hotel infrastructure. Also, this city is famous for its fruit - the papaya- and bakery.

Its beaches of soft sands and warm waters make it an important tour center of the country. Among its most important beaches are the Pescador, Marina, Blanca, Corsario, Fuertes, Mansa, La Sirena, Canto de Agua and the Gaviotas beaches.

Site Attractions:

· Santa Ines, San Juan de Dios and San Francisco Cathedral
· Santo Domingo, San Agustín and Nuestra Señora de la Merced Churches
· Archeological Museum
· Ignacio Domeyko Mineralogical Museum
· Colonial and Religious Art Museums
· Faro Monumental
· Armas, Abastos, The Poetas and The Heroes Square

General Information:

Commerce Schedule: From Monday to Friday 9:30 to 13:30 and 16:30 to 21:00 Saturday 10:00 to 14:00

Visit to the Astronomical Observatories:

Las Campanas and El Tololo Astronomic Observatory
They have offices in the city La Serena where you can get a visit permit.

Astronomical Observatory of Cerro Tololo
Reservations in La Serena city with two months of anticipation - Telefone: (51) 205200 - (51) 205212

Astronomical Observatory of Las Campanas
Reservation Telefone: (51) 207304 - (51) 207308

Astronomical Observatory of La Silla
Reservations in Santiago city with two months of anticipation - Telefone: (2) 4633100

Astronomical Observatory of Cerro Mamalluca
Reservation Telefone: (51) 206631

Hotels in La Serena

Las Campanas Hotel

Santa Bárbara Hotel

Francisco de Aguirre Hotel