Tacna

Introducing Tacna

At the tail end of the Panamericana, almost 1300km southeast of Lima, the hectic border outpost of Tacna is Peru’s southernmost city and the capital of its department. It is situated about 40km from the Chilean border and was occupied by Chile in 1880 after the War of the Pacific, until its people voted to return to Peru in 1929. Incidentally, Tacna has some of Peru’s best schools and hospitals; whether this is due to its Chilean ties is a matter of hotly debated opinion. The city also shows off British and French influences in its architecture and train system. Yet it remains staunchly, even defiantly patriotic. You’ll never be in doubt as to which side of the border you’re actually on.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009