13 Best Things To Do In Arica, Chile

1. Step back in time at Museum of History and Weapon

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Know more about the history of Arica and Chile during the Pacific War by heading to the Museum of History and Weapon. The museum is located on a 110-meter (361 ft) high incline, giving you amazing views of the whole city and the vast Pacific Ocean in front of you. The location of the museum itself is also very historic as it was the actual place where one of the battles took place in 1880. You will see a lot of relics and memorabilia of the wars that took place in Chile as you visit the museum.

Museum of History and Weapon

Address: Avenida San Martín, Arica, Arica and Parinacota, Chile

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 8pm (closed on Mon)

2. Learn about life during ancient times at Museo de Sitio Colón 10

If you are into learning about the ancient times then this place would be perfect for you. Museo de Sitio Colon 10 exhibits the life and the culture of the Chilean people from the past. It explains how the Chinchorro tribe buried their deceased loved ones during those times. You will surely be amazed with how they preserve the bodies of the dead and also learn about the textiles and things they used for the mummies. If you do not speak Spanish, don’t worry as the audio guides come in both Spanish and English.

Museo de Sitio Colón 10

Address: Colón 10, Arica, Región de Arica y Parinacota, Chile

Website: Museo de Sitio Colón 10

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon)

3. Try your luck at Casino Arica

Editor’s note: establishment is permanently closed

If you are in the mood to gamble and try your luck, then you should do it in Casino Arica. It can be easily found as it is located in the downtown area. Casino Arica is known to be the only casino in the city that features slot machines. There’s also several tables of roulette and blackjack. A bar and restaurant is also available within the premises. If you feel that today is your lucky day, then you should test your luck at Casino Arica.

Casino Arica

Address: Avenida, Gral Velásquez, Arica, Región de Arica y Parinacota, Chile

Website: Casino Arica

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 12pm - 6am; Sun: 12pm - 12am

4. Get sun-kissed at Playa Chinchorro

With the very sunny weather in Arica, you will surely want to hit the beach when you are there. Playa Chinchorro or the Chinchorro Beach will be the perfect place for you to go. It is a very long beach with a very wide stretch, great for a full day of enjoying sand and sun. It is also close to the city center for you to have easy access to the beach wherever you are in the city. Just bring your own umbrellas and chairs and you will be surely good to go.

Playa Chinchorro

Address: Ing. Raúl Pey Casado, Arica, Región de Arica y Parinacota, Chile

5. Enjoy a view of the whole city at Morro de Arica

Morro de Arica is considered as one of the best natural attractions in the city. Get to see a panoramic view of the city as you climb the 110-meter (360-feet) hill at the heart of the city. It is also where you can visit the Museum of History and Weapon so you will be visiting two of Arica’s attractions all at once. Morro de Arica is part of the Costa Mountainchain. It was also the main fort that was used during the Pacific. Not only you get to see the amazing views of the city but you also get a dose of Arica’s rich history as you climb up the steps of this fantastic attraction.

6. Relish the best Peruvian food at El Chalan

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Get to experience fine dining featuring an authentic array of Peruvian dishes at the El Chalan Restaurant in Arica. As the regulars say, El Chalan serves the best Peruvian food in the whole of Arica. You might be intimidated by their menu at first, but it would be really worth it once you taste it. They are also known to serve their dishes in the best presentation possible, making it worthy to end up on your Instagram feed. Their food won’t disappoint you and their excellent service is sure to impress you as well. You should really try eating at El Chalan once you are in the city.

El Chalan

Address: 18 de Septiembre 1061, Arica, Región de Arica y Parinacota, Chile

Website: El Chalan

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 12:30pm - 12am; Sun: 12:30pm - 5:30pm (closed on Mon)

7. Be amazed at the naturally formed Cuevas De Anzota

Just around 10 kilometers (6.21 miles) away from the city is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Arica, where the Chinchorro civilization began. Formed by centuries of the continuous rush of waves, Cuevas de Anzota features jagged cliffs, rocky shores, and amazing caves where the ancient people lived some 9000 years ago. Reach Cuevas de Anzota from the road as you traverse through the new coastal walk. There’s also several lookout and vantage points for you to see the rock formations and the shoreline as breathtakingly close as possible. You will also fall in love with the rich marine life, as the place is teeming with sea lions, otters, and marine birds.

Cuevas De Anzota

Address: Av. Cmdte. San Martín 2140, Arica, Región de Arica y Parinacota, Chile

Cuevas De Anzota

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

8. See the oldest mummies at Museo Momias Chinchorro

Get to see mummies, petroglyphs, pottery, textiles and a whole lot more at Museo Momias Chinchorro. The museum features the culture and the anthropology of the city and the whole Chile as well for the last 10,000 years. They are known for their Chinchorro mummy exhibit. The exhibit features the well-preserved remains of the Chinchorro people that lived in Peru and Chile. The exhibit also includes their hunting tools, pre-Hispanic art, and the production of olives during their time.

Museo Momias Chinchorro

Address: km 12, A-27, Arica, Región de Arica y Parinacota, Chile

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)

9. Relax at Carlos Ibañez Del Campo Park

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Known to be one of the most visited parks in the city, Plaza Carlos Ibañez Del Campo or Carlos Ibañez Del Campo Park offers a lot of facilities and green, open spaces for you to walk or just sit around during the afternoon. There is also a giant chess board where everyone can play on. Palm trees are also planted around the park to provide shade to the people, and at the same time, add to the aesthetic value of the park.

Carlos Ibañez Del Campo Park

Address: 499,, Dr. Juan Noe 401, Arica, Región de Arica y Parinacota, Chile

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

10. Discover ancient life at MUSEO Arqueologico San Miguel de Azapa

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This university-run museum in the middle of the Atacama Desert is yet another museum that features well-preserved mummies in Arica. The Museo Arqueologico San Miguel de Azapa is home to the oldest mummies that have ever been discovered. Aside from those really ancient mummies, you should also see the petroglyph park and the indigenous stone carving exhibit which can be found outdoors. Get to explore the museum with the help of their guide book that is available in multiple languages.

MUSEO Arqueologico San Miguel de Azapa

Address: Camino Azapa, Arica, Región de Arica y Parinacota, Chile

Website: MUSEO Arqueologico San Miguel de Azapa

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)

11. Party all night at SOHO Nightlife Arica

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Dance all night long with your friends as you celebrate and enjoy Arica at Soho Nightlife Disco Club. It is considered as the city’s most happening disco where the best DJs in Arica and entire Chile play and mix their music for your enjoyment. Aside from those fantastic DJs, the disco club also features live salsa and local rock bands. It is just a few kilometers north of the city center and is just near Playa Chinchorro.

SOHO Nightlife Arica

Address: Arica, Arica y Parinacota Region, Chile

Website: SOHO Nightlife Arica

Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 11pm - 5am (closed from Sun to Wed)

12. Embrace nature at Santuario Del Picaflor

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Considered as an oasis at the ever busy city of Arica, Santuario Del Picaflor provides you with a place where you can reach out and appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature. It is known to be a Hummingbird Sanctuary and is a dedicated place in preserving the Arica Hummingbird, which is currently on the verge of extinction because of the decreasing natural habitat of the birds in the area. If you need to breathe some fresh air, and also want to interact with the beautiful hummingbirds of the region, then Santuario Del Picaflor is the place you should go.

Santuario Del Picaflor

Address: Arica, Arica y Parinacota Region, Chile

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

13. Relax at Vicuña Mackenna Square

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Another place where you can relax and have a nice walk in Arica is at Vicuña Mackenna Square. The park features walkways lined with trees, benches, shelters, and is located near the beach and the shoreline. You can make a quick stop at the park on your way to Morro de Arica. The park was named after Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna, a writer, journalist, and politician from the 19th century. He was jailed and exiled in the mid-1880s because of his views against the government.

Vicuña Mackenna Square

Address: 149, Gral Arteaga 101, Arica, Región de Arica y Parinacota, Chile

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Get to enjoy the sunny city of Arica

With its very pleasant and sunny climate, you will surely love visiting the city of Arica and exploring all the best attractions being offered in the city. With the great combination of history, modernity, and natural attractions, there is surely something here for you. Make sure to try these things when you get to visit the city of Arica. Enjoy!