If you’re already planning a trip to Iquique and the Tarapaca region of Chile then you’ve got a range of adventurous, cultural and gastronomic delights ahead of you. I’ve just spent a couple of weeks travelling in Iquique and the Tarapaca region and I’ve put together some of my highlights – where to eat, what to see & what activities to do.
Visit the Tarapaca Giant / Gigantes Tarapaca
About an hour outside of Iquique is a collection of geoglyphs – carvings into the landscape known as the Gigantes Tarapaca or the Tarapaca Giant. There are a number of carvings but the most famous is the huge – 119 metres tall – human depiction with a puma head. It’s famously the largest anthropomorphic geoglyph in the world. Public transport does not directly go to the geoglyphs, so it’s best to either hire a car or a driver to get there.
The Tarapaca region has hundreds of geoglyphs, but the Gigantes Tarapaca was definitely worth the drive out. It’s visible from the ground, but if you do have a drone – they are currently allowed – then make sure to get some aerial shots too as the figures are much more visible from the skies. The otherworldly views mean it’s definitely one of the top things to do if you’re staying in Iquique.
When I visited with some friends we had the place pretty much to ourselves. You can walk around the area although cannot directly walk up onto the carvings. There’s a small area to park up, directly in front of the geoglyph that represents a puma – although given the rural nature of the area, there aren’t any facilities selling drinks or bathroom facilities, so come prepared.
Go paragliding over the world’s largest urban dune
Paragliding is always a fun activity, but when the ground below is impressive like in the Tarapaca region, it’s even more exciting. Iquique has an unusual landscape – a cityscape, surrounded by dunes on one side and the ocean on the other. The launch site is above the city just behind the dunes and the time in the air is around 10 minutes, so quite a short ride. The launch site has basic toilet facilities and a stall selling snacks, although this wasn’t open when we took off.
I went with Diablos Adventure. The price per person is $60.000 and includes equipment and also the use of a GoPro 12, so you can get all the photos & videos you need for social media! The team had a basic level of English so if you’re not fully confident in Spanish you’ll still be able to understand the instructions. You’ll need to wear closed toe shoes (not sandals) for the flight, and in terms of clothes just wear something comfortable, but preferably long trousers.
Check out the restaurants in Iquique
Food is always one of the highlights of a trip and the Tarapaca region has some wonderful options for foodies. Start your foodie tour of Iquique at Barrio Playa Brava – an area just south of Playa Cavancha in Iquique that has a range of restaurants to suit every budget.
Now sushi might not be the first thing you think of when you picture food in Iquique but Otaku has some wonderful options incorporating local flavours and a range of ceviche & sashimi made with fresh fish found in the coastal Tarapaca region.
Barstow is a great option for local beers and cocktails as well as heartier dishes, in a casual sports bar & restaurant overlooking the ocean. The portions are generous and some favourites included the gigantic tomahawk steak and the pulpo/octopus.
Another great option for trying local flavours a budget is heading to the Mercado Central. It’s a simple local market with fruit & vegetable stalls and some small cafes serving a menu of the day – usually soup & grilled chicken or fish. Make sure to check out the cafes upstairs too.
For something more upscale then head to Chiringuito Cavancha. It’s a little pricier, but it’s open until midnight or 1pm on most days and has a great location overlooking the coastline. The cocktails here are quite unique and the atmosphere is lively with a regular DJ playing.
Walk along Playa Cavancha, Iquique, and take in the sights
The Tarapaca region certainly isn’t short of beautiful beaches. Playa Cavancha is a well used and popular beach with locals – both during the day when families and friends come with umbrellas and picnics, and at night time when the area is still busy with food stalls and exercise classes.
There are plenty of places to grab a quick snack or drink, ranging from takeaway stands to small cafes, as well as some higher end restaurants on the other side of the parallel road. The beach is pretty clean and there are some wide walking and cycling paths running alongside meaning it’s safe and easy to walk along.
At the southern end of the beach is a stadium for beach football, and you can watch games on an evening when the temperature isn’t so high. Whilst at the northern end are dozens of rock pools, surrounded by the crashing waves, but shallow enough to safely swim in.
Visit the sea lions in Iquique
The fish market, just south of the Esmerelda ship museum is home to a sea lion colony, presumably drawn in the by heavy smell of fish and scraps thrown into the water by the market traders.
Some locals choose to swim in the area, but it’s probably safer to watch from the harbour edge. Early morning and just before sunset are the best times to visit, when the dozens of sea lions appear – lazing in the sun, fighting with each other and bobbing around, seemingly posing for photographs.
Visit the Humberstone & Santa Laura Saltpeter works
Currently the only UNESCO site in the Tarapaca region, the Humberstone & Santa Laura Saltpeter works Humberstone and Santa Laura works are former company towns – known as nitrate towns – where workers from nearby regions lived with their families.
Founded in 1872, both mines were abandoned in 1960 and the areas were designated by UNESCO in 2005 to recognise the significance of saltpetre / saltpeter to the area. Visiting Humberstone is like visiting a ghost town, with rooms and houses preserved as they used to be lived in, complete with dolls and bedsheets. You can also visit the former doctor’s house, the church and the theatre – it’s a sombre place and highly educational. Keep in mind that you’ll be out in the hot sun for a lot of your visit so dress accordingly and don’t forget suncream.
Explore the Altiplano
Chile’s beautiful high altitude plateau is a must visit if you’re visiting the Tarapaca region. You’ll need either a car or a driver as of course there isn’t much in the way of public transport in the more remote regions.
It’s recommended that you take your time heading up to higher altitudes, possibly staying overnight in a village like Cariquima, which has a couple of simple local places to eat like Tata Restaurant. Otherwise you can go up to some of the highlights in the area like Salar de Huasco & the cactus forest in just a day, but it will involve a lot of driving and a higher chance of feeling sick from altitude.
With drivable passes of over 5000m you’ll need to prepare for the high altitudes by drinking lots of water and possibly taking a course of altitude sickness tablets if you’re susceptible. The weather is also quite changeable so make sure to wear layers and take a waterproof jacket in case you get stuck in a sudden downpour.
The Tarapaca region has so much to offer for adventurous travellers, foodies, active travel lovers and those interested in history and beautiful landscapes. Enjoy your trip!
A Life Well Travelled 