Arica, Chile

Arica is a commune and a port city in the Arica and Parinacota Region in northern Chile, located only 18 km (11 miles) south of the border with Peru. It is known as the City of Eternal Spring due to its weather, enjoying high temperatures all the year round.

Its beaches are attractive all year round, among them Bahía Chinchorro and Las Machas. Another attraction is the Morro de Arica, with its Museo de Armas, which is much frequented by tourists. It contains vivid reminders of the Pacific War, such as uniforms, bullets and other objects used by the soldiers.

Different vestiges of the indian cultures can be appreciated here in the goods which are offered for sale, produced by primitive techniques, particularly those in the Pueblo Artesanal. Here you will find museums with displays of objects used by these pre-Hispanic cultures and others brought by the Spanish settlers.

Things to see and do

* Casa de la Cultura de Arica - housed in the old Customs house
* Pueblo Artesanal José Raúl Naranjo Meneses - handicrafts center
* Costanera Norte de Arica - a walkway which passes along the whole southern shoreline of the city
* Catedral San Marcos
* Balneario Chinchorro - popular resort

Cruise Season - Jan - Dec
Currency - Peso (CLP)
Language - Spanish
Population - 200,000 approx
Electricity - 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style
Time - GMT minus four hours
International Country Telephone Code - + 56

Port Location - The port is located in the downtown area of Arica.

Transport Links - There are daily flights from Santiago airport and from Iquique. Flights from Peru are also available.

There are daily bus services from Santiago and Iquique arriving at the Terminal Rodoviario Nacional in Avenida Diego Portales next to Calle Santa Maria. There are also daily services from Tacna that arrive at the Terminal Rodoviario Internacional, next to the national terminal.