10 Awesome Things to Do in Iquique Chile

With a long and lovely desert coast line, delicious fresh seafood, and its laid back beach-vibes, there are many diverse things to do in Iquique, Chile. In fact, this chilled out city has oftentimes been called the “Miami of South America.”

While most tourists skip the north of Chile altogether, the beaches and desert provide a fun playground, at least for a few days. There are more things to do in Iquique than soak up the sun on its many beaches; however, the coastline provides awesome sunsets, a plethora of fresh seafood options to indulge in, and an old war ship museum.

The “Miamiesque” city has a lovely plaza and some beautiful streets to stroll, like Calle Baquedano, and a bustling Central Market. Keep your eyes peeled for politically fueled street art and graffiti. One of the more adventurous things to do in Iquique is to paraglide above the city. There are a few interesting day trips like the ghost town of Humberstone. The region has such a huge history with mining that port cities like Iquique were formed.

So, let’s discover all the awesome and overlooked things to do in Iquique, Chile.

Table of Contents

• Quick Facts About Iquique
• Explore ALL of the Beaches
• Walk the Boardwalk at Sunset
• Eat at the Fish Market
• Stop by the Corbeta Esmeralda Museum
• Relax in the Plaza Arturo Prat
• Stroll Along Calle Baquedano
• Visit the Central Market
• Look for Street Art
• Catch Some Wind, Go Paragliding
• Take a Day Trip from Iquique
• 10 Awesome Things to Do in Iquique

Quick Facts About Iquique

Iquique is located in the North of Chile in the heart of the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the World. Arica, Chile’s border city to Peru, is 200 miles to the north, while Chile’s larger port city of Antofagasta is over 300 miles to the South. Yes, sometimes it’s easy to forget how long Chile really is.

Iquique makes an excellent place to chill out, especially for those overland travelers moving slowly south from Peru by bus. While the border city of Arica is also known for its beaches, I personally preferred the whole overall feel of Iquique.

Hang out in this port city for a few days and make sure to not miss the desert oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. San Pedro de Atacama is probably most famous for its incredible star gazing; however, the region is the gateway to some “out of this world” landscapes.

In short, Iquique is a great place to help break up the long distances of the north and still provides a lot of fun things to do!

Safety Precaution

Although most of Iquique is safe, it should be noted that when the sun goes down, the area around the main bus terminal should not be walked, especially for solo travelers. Also, some of the streets further from the main areas can also become a little dodgy at night. Make sure to verify with your hostel or a local of which streets to avoid.

Psst… I loved the sleeping at Aotea Hostel Iquique. The staff was incredibly helpful and showed me interesting things to do in Iquique and what to avoid. The shared rooms are super clean with lots of plugins in the beds, and the kitchen was impressive with a small terrace and pool!

Explore ALL of the Beaches

Iquique is nestled in the arid Atacama desert, making the many beaches THE place to be in the city. The most popular beach is Playa Cavancha. Here, find a sprawling beach with places to lay out a towel and soak up the sun. What’s nice about this stretch of beach is there are lots of vendors selling street food and public showers to rinse off at.

If looking for something a little more “rustic,” Bellavista Beach is a tranquil favorite. Walk north from Playa Cavancha, around 20 minutes or so. Behind the local government building of Tarapacá are a few secluded and quiet beaches. These small beaches are rockier, but offer some great views of Iquique in the backdrop. There is less beach space to lay out and relax, but you may just be the only person at this beach.

South of Playa Cavancha is the sprawling Playa Brava.

Walk the Boardwalk at Sunset

One of the best things to do in Iquique is to walk the wooden boardwalk at sunset. The most beautiful section is around Playa Cavancha, where there are places to sit and watch the sun disappear into the Pacific Ocean. Nearby on the side streets, find a few ice cream shops. Treat yourself with a cone during your sunset stroll.

Eat at the Fish Market

Due to its close proximity to the ocean, a visit to the fish market IS a MUST. Locals and tourists alike flock to Caleta Riquelme, Iquique’s most popular fish market. In the morning hours, the first floor is filled with people eyeing up the day’s fresh catch. Find everything from crab, fish, shrimp, and sea urchins. The first floor also has some snacks to munch on while shopping, like seafood empanadas or a small cup of ceviche.

At lunch time, the second floor is packed with locals eating from a variety of small restaurants serving up daily lunch menus for around $5. Do you hear something quite noisy? Don’t miss heading out the back door of the market to watch lazy sea lions fight over scraps.

There are so many places to grab fresh fish, but Caleta Riquelme has the ambiance, the bustle, and the views to make it one of the top places to eat and one of the best things to do in Iquique.

Stop by the Corbeta Esmeralda Museum

A short walk away from Caleta Riquelme is the Corbeta Esmeralda Museo (Corvette Esmeralda Museum). This museum is all about the Esmeralda ship that was actually sunk in Iquique in 1879. Yes, the museum is housed in a replica of the wartime vessel. You don’t have to pay for an entrance ticket to walk up and get a closer look of this impressive ship. Out front are some info plaques in Spanish and English; however, all the tours are in Spanish only.

Logistics | Entrance Ticket for Non-residents: $3,500 CLP ($4.50 USD) | Tour Duration: 50 minutes | Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30 – 12:30 & 14:00 – 17:15 | official website & online reservations

Relax in the Plaza Arturo Prat

The Plaza Arturo Prat is Iquique’s main plaza and is lined with restaurants, cafes, and inviting places to relax in the grass or on a shaded bench. The plaza’s center piece is the Torre del Reloj, the clock tower made of Oregon Pine Wood. Street performers are often playing music and dancing, creating a lively atmosphere. At night, the plaza is filled with families enjoying the cooler temperatures.

In the Plaza Arturo Prat are important buildings like the Performing Arts Theater and the beautiful Spanish Casino. The Spanish Casino has a private membership that allows access to the “club.” Non-members can enjoy the lobby and beautiful restaurant, or attend a free cultural event.

Stroll Along Calle Baquedano

Right off of Plaza Arturo Prat is the beautiful street of Baquedano. Cutting through the center of the street is the old railroad tracks, a reminder of the mining history in this region. Now, along this street are trendy restaurants and rooftop bars. The streets are often times filled with local artisans selling jewelry, old coins, used books, souvenirs, and street food.

Baquedano is one of Iquique’s most picturesque streets, and it’s pedestrian friendly!

Visit the Central Market

Although not as visually appealing as many markets throughout South America, the Central Market still makes for an interesting pit-stop. There are many women selling produce and veggies, but again, the most interesting section of this market is the fresh seafood market. On display, find fresh seafood that was brought into the market at wee hours of the morning. The central market also offers up a few restaurants with seafood focused menus. Many of these can be found on the 2nd floor of the central market.

Look for Street Art

Chile has been struggling for years with the current government administration. The people have been vocally protesting and opposing the constitution in place. Chile has been no stranger in the news recently for the torching of the public transportation system in Santiago. The people are not afraid to have their voices heard. One of the most interesting things to do in Iquique is to seek out the political street art.

Many times the street art is simply a powerful saying that has been spray painted onto a wall. Other times, it’s beautiful murals and paintings. One of the most moving and powerful things to see in Iquique is the government buildings. A majority of these buildings have been “paint bombed” by locals to show their distaste and current feelings towards the Chilean government.

Catch Some Wind, Go Paragliding

Looking for something a little more daring? One of the most adventurous things to do in Iquique is to go paragliding. The city of Iquique is surrounded by coastal mountains and since it is located in the driest desert, the flying conditions are almost always on-point. Iquique loves to boast that they have no less than 10 “non-flying days” for eager paraglider’s through the whole year. Almost every single day, it’s possible to see adventure-seekers flying above the city.

Tandem flights are available, but many people come to Iquique to become certified to fly on their own.

Take a Day Trip from Iquique

Although there are a wide range of things to do in Iquique, some of the most memorable experiences are actually day trips from the city. Here are two great day trip options to take from Iquique.

The Mining Ghost Town of Humberstone

Less than 45 minutes away from Iquique is the mining ghost town of Humberstone. In northern Chile, there were over 200 mining communities and these two may be the best preserved and most interesting. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is fascinating and the entrance ticket allows access to both Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works.

At one time, there were over 3,500 inhabitants in this make-shift mining community. It was abandoned abruptly in 1960, but what is left behind is fascinating. Walk next to abandoned mining equipment, old railroad cars on tracks that lead to nowhere, a school, community pool, and housing units that show the harsh living conditions for these workers and their families.

With public buses passing frequently departing from Iquique, a tour of Humberstone makes an excellent and worthwhile full day trip.

Pica Hot Springs

Iquique’s salty beaches are a great place to relax, but looking for a more natural oasis? Two hours from Iquique is the small village of Pica. In this hamlet find the rustic thermal pools of Cocha Resbaladero. The natural spring is nice, but it’s quite small. What is fun is there are little caves you can swim in to escape the hot desert sun. This natural pool has become quite popular, so if you don’t arrive early or stay later, the bath can be overcrowded.

Don’t expect a high-end luxury pool, but there are basic showers, lockers, and changing rooms onsite. Pica is a great (but long) day trip for those spending an extended amount of time in Iquique.

Logistics | Bus Fare (Round Trip) : $7,000 CLP ($9 USD) | Entrance Ticket: $3,000 ($3.75 USD) | Full Day Trip from Iquique

Another bonus of Pica is that they are known for their citrus fruits. All along the road leading to Cocha Resbaladero are multiple food stalls selling fresh squeezed juices and bags of citrus for cheap. A fresh squeezed glass of lemonade will set you back $1,000 CLP ($1.25 USD). Some vendors even sell fresh fruit ice cream; I highly suggest the mango! Another foodie treat of Pica is the traditional plate of Pastel de Chocolo.

10 Awesome Things to Do in Iquique

While most tourists skip the north section of Chile, Iquique is a wonderful port town to visit. The sizzling city offers a wide range of activities for any type of traveler. Some of the best things to do in Iquique are free, like enjoying one of the many beaches, strolling through the Plaza Arturo Prat, or seeking out the political street art. With its close proximity to the sea, don’t miss a chance to sample as much local seafood dishes as possible. Some of the most interesting highlights of the city are actually day trips, like the ghost town of Humberstone.

Overall, there are lots of amusing and fun things to do in Iquique. Don’t make the mistake of missing the north coast of Chile!

Have you visited the beach city of Iquique? Did you visit any of the sites from my above list of things to do in Iquique? Do you have something to add to this list of things to do in Iquique? Let me know in the comments below!

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