Things to do in Iquique
-
-
A
Edificio de la Aduana & Museo Naval
Meter-thick walls enclose this haughty colonial-style customshouse, built in 1871 when Iquique was still Peruvian territory. Peru incarcerated prisoners here during the War of the Pacific, and the building would later see battle in the Chilean civil war of 1891. The Aduana houses a small naval museum with artifacts salvaged from the sunken Esmeralda, a plucky little Chilean corvette that challenged ironclad Peruvian warships in the War of the Pacific.
The ship was captained by Arturo Prat (1848-79), whose name now graces a hundred street maps, plazas and institutions. In an impassioned speech aboard the Esmeralda, Prat swore to die in battle and challenged his officers to…
reviewed
-
B
Regional Museum
Iquique’s former courthouse now hosts the catch-all regional museum, which earnestly recreates a traditional adobe altiplano village (complete with mannequins in Aymara dress). The surrounding chambers also have some attention-grabbing exhibits, from animal fetuses floating in formaldehyde to masked Chinchorro mummies and elongated Tiwanaku skulls. Interesting photographs also explore Iquique’s urban beginnings, and a fascinating display dissects the nitrate industry.
reviewed
-
C
Playa Brava
Crashing waves and rip currents at scenic Playa Brava make it dangerous for swimming, but there's plenty of space to sunbathe. Toward the hills, look for the massive dunes of Cerro Dragón, which looks like a set for a science-fiction movie. Taxi colectivos run to Playa Brava from downtown - look for the destination on the sign atop the cab. There are scores of sandy beaches further south, but you'll need to rent a car or bike, or take a taxi.
reviewed
-
Altazor Skysports
Altazor Skysports, 500m south and 200m east of the Universidad del Mar (south of Iquique’s center), offers paragliding courses (CH$65,125 per day, including equipment and transportation). An introductory tandem flight costs CH$28,200; two-week courses are also available. Rental equipment and repair is available for experienced paragliders. Owners Philip Maltry and Marlene Carrasco speak German, Spanish, English, Portuguese and French.
reviewed
-
D
Mercado Centenario
This boxy market between Sargento Aldea and Latorre is the cheapest and fastest place for a no-frills set lunch. Upstairs cocinerías also offer varied seafood, and stalls offer fresh produce for self-caterers. You can buy coca leaves (CH$500 for a bag) and sex tonics in the roadside stalls. Coca leaves are great for treating altitude sickness (brew them up in a tea), while the sex tonics don’t work at all (believe us, we tried!).
reviewed
-
E
Humberstone
The influence and wealth of the nitrate boom whisper through the deserted ghost town of Humberstone. Established in 1872, this mining town once fizzed with an energy, culture and ingenuity that peaked in the 1940s. However, the development of synthetic nitrates forced the closure of the oficina by 1960; 3000 workers lost their jobs and the town dwindled to a forlorn shell of itself.
reviewed
-
F
Muelle de Pasajeros
Hour-long boat tours around the harbor leave from Iquique's 1901 passenger pier, just west of the Edificio de la Aduana. The tour floats past the Boya Conmemorativa del Combate de Iquique, a buoy marking the spot where the Esmeralda sank in a confrontation with the ironclad Peruvian Huáscar. It also approaches a colony of sea lions.
reviewed
-
G
Casino Español
Prepare for pattern overload: Moorish designs intertwine, compete and clash in this unabashedly decadent 1904 building. Expect tooth-bitten arches, a high dome, stained glass, checked tiles, suits of armor and…oh yeah, it has food, too, including Spanish, Italian and Chilean favorites. Service moves at a leisurely pace.
reviewed
-
H
Boulevard
Laid-back streetside café without, and smooth Gallic restaurant within, this is the place to relax and let the world traipse by. On offer are delicious fondues, pizzas, crepes and enormous salads with zesty dressings. Service is hit or miss, but the fixed lunch is definitely worth it. There’s occasional live music.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
I
El Tercer Ojito
Recognizable by the huge lump of quartz outside, this informal New Age restaurant serves great vegetarian and carnivore-friendly dishes. Its international repertoire includes Peruvian dishes, curries and occasional sushi. Its pleasant patio sports cacti, murals and even a turtle in a bathtub.
reviewed
-
J
Academia de Idiomas del Norte
The Swiss-run Academia de Idiomas del Norte provides Spanish-language instruction. Classes are small (one to four students) and cost CH$225,300 to CH$280,000 per week, depending on intensity. Accommodations and meals with guest families can be arranged from CH$9500 per day.
reviewed
-
K
Plaza Prat
The good ol' nitrate days are evident through Iquique's center. Its beautiful wooden-fronted 19th-century buildings also speak eloquently of foreign influences during the nitrate boom. The city's 19th-century swagger is especially hard to miss in Plaza Prat - the city's focus.
reviewed
-
L
M.Koo
Simple corner shop famous for its crumbly chumbeques (sweet regional biscuits), the recipe for which is guarded zealously. It also sells neatly wrapped in-season specials, such as humitas (corn tamales) and pastel de choclo (maize casserole) to go.
reviewed
-
M
Zona Franca
Created in 1975, Iquique’s zona franca is a massive monument to uncontrolled consumption. The entire region of Tarapacá is a duty-free zone, but its nucleus is this shopping center for imported electronics, clothing, automobiles and almost anything else.
reviewed
-
N
Teatro Municipal
Jumping fountains line the short walkway south to the marble-stepped Teatro Municipal, an ostentatious neoclassical building that has been hosting opera, theater and more since 1890; take a quick peek at the painted ceilings inside.
reviewed
-
O
Palacio Astoreca
South of the plaza, Av Baquedano is lined with Georgian-style balustraded buildings dating from 1880 to 1930. Among them is the cream-and-lime painted Palacio Astoreca, a nitrate baron’s mansion that now also functions as a museum.
reviewed
-
P
Av Baquedano
Av Baquedano is the main thoroughfare, and its northern section is an attractive pedestrian mall. A handsomely restored tram (which normally sits outside the theater) occasionally jerks its way down the avenue in the tourist high-season.
reviewed
-
Q
Doña Lucy
Locals pile into this fussy little tea shop for its ambrosial cream cakes, equally creamy cappuccinos, ice cream, teas and freshly squeezed juices. The sandwiches aren’t bad either. Tables spill onto the hedged courtyard behind.
reviewed
-
R
Playa Cavancha
Playa Cavancha is Iquique’s most popular beach. It’s pleasant for swimming but is sometimes crowded. There are also some decent surf breaks along its rocky northern parts, and a playground for children.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
La Protectora
Old World atmosphere reigns at this civilized restaurant nestling beside the theater and fronting onto the plaza; the building, the Sociedad Protectora de Empleados de Tarapacá, hosted one of Chile’s first trade unions.
reviewed
-
Naval Museum
The Aduana houses a small naval museum with artifacts salvaged from the sunken Esmeralda, a plucky little Chilean corvette that challenged ironclad Peruvian warships in the War of the Pacific.
reviewed
-
T
Cioccolata
Proof positive that Chileans really do enjoy a decent espresso, this classy coffee shop is usually crammed with businessfolk. It also offers filling breakfasts, sandwiches, scrumptious cakes and chocolates.
reviewed
-
U
Civet Adventure
Organizes small, all-equipped 4WD or bicycle adventure tours to altiplano destinations for three or more days, as well as camping and land-sailing trips in the Atacama Desert. German and English spoken.
reviewed
-
V
Tribunales de Justicia
South of the plaza, Av Baquedano is lined with Georgian-style balustraded buildings dating from 1880 to 1930. Among them is the former Tribunales de Justicia, now the Museo Regional.
reviewed
