Arica City Tour

General information

Destination	Category
Arica, Chile	Sightseeing Tours

Program details

Discover the top sights and attractions in amazing Arica with this fascinating tour of this frontier town with a difference. Chile’s ‘capital of the north’ boasts stunning landscapes and beautiful buildings, most notably the sensational San Marcos Cathedral, which was designed by Gustave Eiffel and has an unmistakable fairytale appearance. Other landmarks include the fish market, the World Cup stadium and a handicrafts village.

Visit the fish market and proceed to the Costanera (promenade avenue), then to the former Isla Alacran (Scorpion Island) and La Lisera Resort. The fish industry has historically been the heart of commercial activity of this city.

Continue to the Morro de Arica, a 140-metre spur overlooking the city, which was where of one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific War was fought. Visit the Estadio Carlos Dittborn (where seven matches where played during the 1962 World Cup) Avenida 21 de Mayo, a handicrafts village, Avenida Diego Portales, Costanera Norte, Playa Chinchorro and General Velásquez Resort before returning to your hotel.

Until 1880, Arica had been Peruvian territory but following that country’s defeat in the Pacific War, it became a part of Chile. The loss was a huge blow to Peru, which had invested heavily in the city and hired celebrity architect-engineer Eiffel to build not just the cathedral but also a custom house (now a cultural centre). Arica’s location just 20km from the border with Peru and between two verdant valleys that divide the Atacama Desert adds to its mystique frontier atmosphere.

Meeting/pick-up point: Hotel lobby.
Duration: Three to four hours approx.
Start/opening time: Customer´s choice.
Languages: Spanish for shared tour, English, French and Spanish for private tour.