La Serena

Chile

La Serena is a charming town in Northern Chile. There is a lot to see and do nearby.

  • In the Archeologigal Museum there is the only rapa nui moai head to have toured Europe. Entry CLP$600.
  • The nearby observatory is also open to the public.
  • If you are around in early Spring you might be lucky enough to see the desert in bloom. It happens in occasional years and is stunning.
  • Elqui Valley, one of the most beautiful, clear and brilliant nights you will ever see. Here you will find the main villages that you can easily do on a bike. Vicuña, where Gabriela Mistral was born, and where you can get to see how the Chilean Pisco is made. Pisco Elqui, which is ideal for a romantic escapade and Cochiguaz.
  • Isla DamasOn Isla Damas, you can swim, walk along trails and to lookout points or go scuba diving and snorkeling. Once back on the mainland, stay the night at Punta de Choros, where cabins and campsites will allow you to enjoy warm seaside evenings.
  • Parque Nacional Fray Jorge. January-February: daily 09:00-17:00, the rest of the year daily 09:00-16:00. Fray Jorge National Park Nacional comprises acres at altitudes of between and 2188 in the coastal area located miles east from most beautiful places to visit are Hydrophilic trail is very mouth river. There are picnic area and campsites for CLP$8,000 per night, and a lodge for 5 persons is CLP$25,000. Domestic animals are not allowed. Bring a coat since the forest is cold. The admission ticket is CLP$1,600, children CLP$600.
  • Solar eclipse of July 2, 2019. La Serena is one of the cities on the path of totality for this eclipse.

In the Archeologigal Museum there is the only rapa nui moai head to have toured Europe. Entry CLP$600.

The nearby observatory is also open to the public.

If you are around in early Spring you might be lucky enough to see the desert in bloom. It happens in occasional years and is stunning.

Elqui Valley, one of the most beautiful, clear and brilliant nights you will ever see. Here you will find the main villages that you can easily do on a bike. Vicuña, where Gabriela Mistral was born, and where you can get to see how the Chilean Pisco is made. Pisco Elqui, which is ideal for a romantic escapade and Cochiguaz.

Isla DamasOn Isla Damas, you can swim, walk along trails and to lookout points or go scuba diving and snorkeling. Once back on the mainland, stay the night at Punta de Choros, where cabins and campsites will allow you to enjoy warm seaside evenings.

Parque Nacional Fray Jorge. January-February: daily 09:00-17:00, the rest of the year daily 09:00-16:00. Fray Jorge National Park Nacional comprises acres at altitudes of between and 2188 in the coastal area located miles east from most beautiful places to visit are Hydrophilic trail is very mouth river. There are picnic area and campsites for CLP$8,000 per night, and a lodge for 5 persons is CLP$25,000. Domestic animals are not allowed. Bring a coat since the forest is cold. The admission ticket is CLP$1,600, children CLP$600.

Solar eclipse of July 2, 2019. La Serena is one of the cities on the path of totality for this [[Solar eclipses|eclipse]].

  • The japanese style (indeed, laid out by a Tokyo landscape architect) garden Jardin del Corazon is just west of the center. It celebrates the 450th anniversary of La Serena, its ties with its Japanese friend Tenri and the export of Chilean ore to Japan. Plenty of ducks and geese in the pond, some fish and the odd turtle. Entry CLP$2000.
  • Beaches - La Serena has some of the country's longest stretches of beach. You can take a whole day walking from one end to another.
  • Observatory tours. The Elqui Valley outside La Serena has some of the best conditions for observing the sky, hence the many observatories, some open to the public doing tours from La Serena city at night. Tour prices including transport are about CLP$15000.
  • Observatorio Mamalluca, Calle Gabriela Mistral 260, oficina 1, Ilustre Municipalidad de Vicuña, +56 51 411352, +56 51209138. CLP$3500 for adults and CLP$1500 for kids from 3 to 12. Transportation (optional) CLP$1500..
  • Observatorio La Silla, ESO, Casilla 567, El Santo, 1538, +56 51 225387, +56 2 4633280 (booking).
  • Tololo, CTIO, Casilla 603, Colina El Pino s/n, +56 51 205200.
  • There is a cinema at the Mall Plaza, by the bus terminal
  • There is a casino at Av. El Mar
  • Whale Watching Chile, La Serena, +56 9 6138 5166. 7AM-6PM. Take a whale watching tour to a fishing village community and observe whales, dolphins, birds, penguins and other sea life.

The japanese style (indeed, laid out by a Tokyo landscape architect) garden Jardin del Corazon is just west of the center. It celebrates the 450th anniversary of La Serena, its ties with its Japanese friend [[Tenri]] and the export of Chilean ore to Japan. Plenty of ducks and geese in the pond, some fish and the odd turtle. Entry CLP$2000.

Beaches - La Serena has some of the country's longest stretches of beach. You can take a whole day walking from one end to another.

Observatory tours. The Elqui Valley outside La Serena has some of the best conditions for observing the sky, hence the many observatories, some open to the public doing tours from La Serena city at night. Tour prices including transport are about CLP$15000.

Observatorio Mamalluca, Calle Gabriela Mistral 260, oficina 1, Ilustre Municipalidad de Vicuña, +56 51 411352, +56 51209138. CLP$3500 for adults and CLP$1500 for kids from 3 to 12. Transportation (optional) CLP$1500..

Observatorio La Silla, ESO, Casilla 567, El Santo, 1538, +56 51 225387, +56 2 4633280 (booking).

Tololo, CTIO, Casilla 603, Colina El Pino s/n, +56 51 205200.

There is a cinema at the Mall Plaza, by the bus terminal

There is a casino at Av. El Mar

Whale Watching Chile, La Serena, +56 9 6138 5166. 7AM-6PM. Take a whale watching tour to a fishing village community and observe whales, dolphins, birds, penguins and other sea life.

  • Papaya Juice - Sold all over the city but especially at markets, the papaya is grown locally here
  • Pisco - The national drink of Chile is brewed in the nearby Elqui Valley and is a must-try for every traveller, enjoyed either as a Pisco Sour (Pisco with limon juice, sugar, and egg-white) or Piscola (Pisco with Coke)
  • Handicraft - Nice handicraft markets are held every summer

Papaya Juice - Sold all over the city but especially at markets, the papaya is grown locally here

Pisco - The national drink of Chile is brewed in the nearby Elqui Valley and is a must-try for every traveller, enjoyed either as a Pisco Sour (Pisco with limon juice, sugar, and egg-white) or Piscola (Pisco with Coke)

Handicraft - Nice handicraft markets are held every summer

The densest cluster of restaurants and fast food joints is around the intersection of O`Higgins and Eduardo de la Barra.

  • Daniella II, Av. Francisco de Aguirre. A set lunch may only set you back, 1500 CLP ($3 USD), you might find it's not worth it. This goes for home-made food, and not getting all sick.
  • Casona Dell 900, Av. Francisco de Aguirre. Has great BBQ meats served on a coal heated plate
  • Gary, Matta, getting to Francisco de Aguirre, in front of Alliance française. Good lunch, home-made food, and far cleaner than other places. The full menu goes up to CLP$2000 including entrée, main course and dessert. Sodas, CLP$800.
  • Ayawasi, Pedro Pablo Muñoz 566, +56 986949534. Organic and mostly vegetarian cafe. Charming atmosphere, very friendly English-speaking owner, and amazing food. Great for soup and a sandwich at lunchtime or coffee drinks by the fire on a rainy day.

Daniella II, Av. Francisco de Aguirre. A set lunch may only set you back, 1500 CLP ($3 USD), you might find it's not worth it. This goes for home-made food, and not getting all sick.

Casona Dell 900, Av. Francisco de Aguirre. Has great BBQ meats served on a coal heated plate

Gary, Matta, getting to Francisco de Aguirre, in front of Alliance française. Good lunch, home-made food, and far cleaner than other places. The full menu goes up to CLP$2000 including entrée, main course and dessert. Sodas, CLP$800.

Ayawasi, Pedro Pablo Muñoz 566, +56 986949534. Organic and mostly vegetarian cafe. Charming atmosphere, very friendly English-speaking owner, and amazing food. Great for soup and a sandwich at lunchtime or coffee drinks by the fire on a rainy day.

Loads of bars near the intersection of O`Higgins and Eduardo de la Barra. At least a couple of them will be busy even on a Monday night thanks to the town`s students.

  • A few hours to the south is Fray Jorge National Park.
  • At Isla Damas it is worth seeing the penguins and sea lions. From La Serena it is 120 km north at a coastal village called Los Choros. Dolphins also frequent the area.
  • The Valle de Elqui is a beautiful valley in the otherwise arid region. Equestrian tours are available that climb into hills going in among the papaya farms and looking down on valley. Taste some pisco sour at a distillery and stay the night.

A few hours to the south is [[Fray Jorge National Park]].

At Isla Damas it is worth seeing the penguins and sea lions. From La Serena it is 120 km north at a coastal village called Los Choros. Dolphins also frequent the area.