Things to do in Arica

THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Arica

Things to Do in Arica


Book these experiences for a close-up look at Arica.

Top Attractions in Arica

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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.

What travellers are saying

  • JnVSydney
    Greater Sydney, Australia18,466 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The big rock which is the highlight of the port. here you can see close up, the Cristo de la Paz which was erected in 1989 - iron on the inside, bronze on the outside. Like a very small Christ the Redeemer. We also saw in the distance a church designed by Eiffel - that bloke got around. Definitely a must visit, amazing views of the area, and coastline.
    Written 4 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Phillyjanie
    Philadelphia, PA225 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This park is ranked in the Top 20 in all of South America for a reason: huge herds of vicuñas , llamas, and alpacas; oodles of flamingoes and birds; picturesque villages like Putre and of course tons of STAGGERING scenery punctuated by dormant snow-capped volcanoes and altiplano lakes. Don’t miss this!
    Written 11 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Carolyn E
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing family owned/operated museum that looked professionally curated. I was given a private tour by the owner (the son of the founder). Shells from all over the world and several live aquarium exhibits that highlight the diversity of life in different waters. Overall a great experience and I highly recommend a visit if you come to Arica.
    Written 31 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Doru Solomon
    10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Impresiv dezine on textil materioal , pots, religious artifacts.
    "Great Museum clearly shows in a very scholar way about the history of the Chinchorro culture with mummies older than the famous Egyptian ones. We drove to the museum and spend the rest of the day in The Valley , Lots to see"
    Written 2 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Doru Solomon
    10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Impresiv long and old human history
    "This is a well designed modern museum set in an oasis-like park. It covers the prehistory of northern Chile with special exhibits of the Chinchorro culture (8,000-6,000 BC). The dryness of the desert has preserved organic artifacts such as cloth, baskets, wood tools etc. and examples are displayed. All text is in Spanish. Worth the time if you are at all interested in prehistory. Caution-exhibits include human remains."
    Written 2 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • hbhakh
    Roanoke, VA2,268 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a pretty, old church that has a bit of history. It is open to the public to walk through. It offers very nice views of the plaza down to the water. It's worth a visit.
    Written 20 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Myo M
    Coquitlam, Canada24,692 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This curve-shaped beach of a fairly-short length (where it just takes about 5 minutes to walk from one end to the other) is definitely not one for a long beachwalk but it is one for a "nice swim" with the water deep enough to be "all in" just shortly after entering the water (unlike some other beaches I've been to with the water only like waist-deep or such making it hard for a good swim), and yes the water is pretty calm too not to get disturbed by waves coming in your direction as you swim out to the sea (but I would suggest not to swim out too far since the water here actually gets deep "quite quickly" and so your feet will get out of depth after just a short swim out to the sea). And also great about this beach is its "vibrant atmosphere" with these permanent cone-shaped umbrellas (looking somewhat like small huts) and also a small establishment or vendor just near the water for food & drinks, and yes there was a "decent-sized" crowd each of the two times I came over (but not overly crowded).

    At just about a 15-minute walk from downtown near the bottom of Morro de Arica (actually this beach can be seen down below from near the big Christ statue above that hill where there are also a big Chilean flag & a military museum), I would also suggest on your way here to stop by at about halfway the old Spanish island called Ex-Isla Alacran with some remains (of foundations & ramparts) & also a lighthouse on a small hill on the island which although is "no longer one" with like a connecting causeway which makes the site easily accessible.

    And if looking for a "nice long walk" on the beach, the one for that is Chinchorro Beach in the north (about a 20-minute walk from downtown but in the opposite direction from heading to this beach in the south) although yes that beach is pretty much "only for that" with quite shallow water & fair-sized waves not ideal for a swim.
    Written 18 June 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ben F
    Bloomington, IN1,506 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    There’s not much extra you’ll find at Chinchorro Beach, and it’s a bit neglected as far as the boardwalk I used to get to my hotel (lots of bumps and holes for my electric wheelchair), but the views at sunset/rise are lovely. It’s a safe, clean place to enjoy yourself.
    Written 26 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Howard H
    1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We visited this market on a tour from our cruise ship. It's very large and crowded but the variety of produce, flowers, and other items is impressive. The prices seemed very low as compared to the USA. I bought about a pound of very nice cherries for about $1. I wish we would have had more time to browse around.
    Written 20 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Margaret G
    Chester, UK172 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Had a great time here. A great family day out - no rushing just go at your own time. Once we got down to the beach and saw the sea lions it was amazing. Have some treasured family photographs of our morning here.
    Written 3 March 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • J L
    381 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    An interesting museum about the War of the Pacific and the short battle (only about 50 minutes) on El Morro when Chile took Arica from Peru. It is all in Spanish but it is a good little museum if you are interested in the history.
    Written 23 June 2016
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Bäbs
    Buenos Aires, Argentina41 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Upon excavating the grounds for a new hotel, the undertakers stumbled on innumerable skeletons, and the University of Taracapa, guardians and caretakers of the Chinchorro mummies was able to stop construction and purchase the site. The skeletal remains have been left to rest in their original place and position. A glass floor allows visitors a respectful observation of this several thousand year old burial place in Northern Chile. Closed on Mondays, so plan your visit to Arica accordingly.
    Written 12 November 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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