Renting a car when visiting Arica can be a good and convenient way to get around. Public transport is limited within the city, so renting a car either from the airport or downtown allows you to travel to the attractions in the area and the option to visit other destinations at your leisure.  

Taxis, colectivos, and Ubers are available in Arica. A taxi will feature a blue light in the windshield that says LIBRE if they are free. There are some taxi stands, and taxis can be hailed on the street. Radio taxis can be ordered over the phone by a hotel or restaurant. There are numerous colectivos around the city.

Walking around Arica will get you to most places in town, many of the area’s attractions such as dining and entertainment are within walking distance, especially in the downtown area. Accessing the beach area from downtown is easy on foot, as it’s within close proximity. Walking the beautiful brown sugar beaches is a nice activity. There is a dedicated pedestrian mall in the city with shopping and dining options. 

The city offers some good opportunities for leisurely bicycle rides either around the city center or along the beach area. There are bike rentals available in the city making it easy to explore on two wheels. There are some good mountain biking trails in the surrounding areas where bikers can explore the San Miguel Azapa Valley and its scenic trails. 

Arica is considered a very safe destination to visit. However, due to its increased population and visitors over the recent years crimes against tourists are becoming more common with petty theft and muggings. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets, and tourist attractions. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. Be careful when walking at night and don’t walk outside the main center of town. 

The city of Arica is a duty-free shopping port with numerous bargains for shoppers to discover. The main shopping street in town is 21 de Mayo with shops selling all kinds of items such as souvenirs, lapis lazuli, silverware, handicrafts, and other local goods. The city has a variety of local authentic markets like the handicrafts market at Feria Sangra, Puebla Aretesanal of Azapa Valley, and the Feria Dominical held every Sunday on Chacabuco Street, these bustling market sells everything from local souvenirs to ceramics, knitted garments, pottery, stone carvings, and handicrafts. The shopping scene in Arica is diverse with upscale boutiques in the city center, large shopping malls, and unique local shops dotted around the city. 

The beaches in Arica are one of its main attractions. The city boasts around 12 miles of coastline with brown sugar sand beaches to take advantage of. The climate in Arica is mostly sunny year-round and it never rains, this calls for a beach day during the summer months. Arica is a seaside resort town and a popular destination for surfers. Av. Costanera San Martin is the coastal road where the city meets the Pacific Ocean. The road leads to Playa La Lisera nestled in a lovely semicircle bay with beautiful surroundings, it is a popular spot for surfing and bodyboarding with picnic areas offering barbeques. Playa El Laucho is just south of the Alacran peninsula, a small beach with fine sand, and calm, safe waters ideal for swimming. Playa Chinchorro is an extensive beach great for long walks on the sand, it boasts crystal clear waters that are ideal for snorkeling, and swimming. There are some restaurants, cafes, and food trucks on the beach side. Playa Las Machas is a favorable spot for the locals with plenty of beach activities to choose from especially surfing with its ideal surf conditions.

Spanish is the official language of Chile. You will most likely find English speakers in Santiago, the Lake District, Patagonia, and other tourist-centered enclaves across the country. There is not a high percentage of English speakers in Chile, but if you are to find someone who does speak English, they are most likely younger and/or work in the service industry. Take some time to learn key phrases in Spanish, like hello/goodbye, please/thank you, how much is it?, where is the bathroom?, and numbers from 1-10. To ask someone if they speak English, say `¿Habla inglés?`

The climate of Arica is a subtropical desert with a yearly annual average temperature of around 72°F. The summers are from December to March and are characterized by warm, sunny weather. The winters run from June to September and offer fairly cooler temperatures with cloud, fog, and mist being common. The city of Arica sits on the Pacific Ocean, the average ocean temperature is around 75°F, and the best months for swimming are January and February. The best time to visit is during the shoulder season from May to October when the weather is pleasant with clear skies, and comfortable temperatures, with less wind. This time of year is ideal for outdoor activities. Rain hardly ever occurs here as it is one of the driest inhabited places on earth, the aridity is caused by the Humboldt Current, a cold sea current that inhibits the formation of upward air currents that could generate rain clouds. 

The currency of Arica is the Chilean Peso. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Argentine pesos upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.

The dining scene in Arica is a splendid mixture of traditional Chilean cuisine blended with international flavors that reflect the diverse cultural influences of the city. The port city offers a great variety of dining options as well as a variety of different food including exceptional seafood and street food which are among the most popular and common. Delicious fresh fish, seafood, and shellfish come from the nearby Pacific Ocean, these are caught and brought in daily by the local fisherman and served up in the waterfront restaurants. There are a lot of great restaurants in the city and many cozy cafes offering delicious fresh coffee, and pastries. Many of these establishments can be found lining 21 de Mayo in the downtown area, as well as on Raul Pey, and along the waterfront and beaches. There are some excellent food markets and street food to enjoy in Arica where food lovers can taste some of the traditional authentic flavorful dishes. Enjoying dinner while taking in the sea views is a great way to dine in Arica. The city is home to several beautiful beaches with Playa Chinchorro being one of the most popular, dining at one of the restaurants here allows visitors to experience the breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean while dining on some of the tastiest and freshest seafood, and fish and other regional dishes like octopus ceviche or crab soup. 

Some authentic Chilean dishes include caldillo de congrio (fish stew with tomatoes and potatoes), and ceviche using fresh bass and scallops. Locally sourced fresh ingredients are used to make Chilean specialties such as machas a la parmesana (razor clams layered with cheese, white wine, and lemon juice), along with seafood stews using freshly caught fish from the Pacific. Other classic popular dishes include Empanadas which are typically filled with meat, cheese, or seafood and then baked or fried. Completo is a Chilean-style hot dog loaded with toppings like sauerkraut, diced tomatoes, pebre (spicy salsa), and generously adorned with mayonnaise. Pastel de Choclo is a traditional hearty casserole dish made with ground corn, seasoned meat, onions, and olives, and topped with a golden crust made from cornmeal. Alfajores is a sweet dessert of soft, delicate cookies filled with dulce de leche. 

Arica’s nightlife scene is vibrant and varied with a variety of activities to choose from like beachside dining and entertainment, evening cultural tours, and high-energy parties. The city is host to a great mixture of bustling bars, happening nightclubs, cocktail lounges, and casinos to suit every preference. There are lively salsa clubs available to dance the night away, laid-back beachside bars to enjoy a spectacular sunset, and a great selection of cozy pubs and fun bars with live music and excellent drink options. After the sun sets in Arica there is a great range of dynamic and lively options for a fun night out in the coastal city. The bars, lounges, and clubs dotted around downtown Arica draw in tourists and locals alike with dynamic drinks like the world-class caipirinha, pulsating beats, and all around exciting and lively atmosphere. The beaches are great for an evening of entertainment, Playa El Laucho is a popular stretch of sand in the city. It boasts a spectacular scene at night when it becomes a meeting point for tourists along the promenade which is brimming with beachfront restaurants, and bars that offer outdoor terraces to enjoy the seabreeze. The summer months are even more exciting when beach parties are in full swing with live music, DJs, and tons of fun activities. For those looking to gamble the night away, the Casino de Arica is available in the heart of the city. There’s a wide range of games to choose from including slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette. The casino boasts an on-site restaurant and bar and offers live shows including concerts, and comedy shows. 

Arica is one of the most spectacular places in the world for stargazing due to its location near the Atacama Desert boasting clear skies and low light pollution. There are nighttime excursions that take visitors out to observe the magical starry night skies. Constellations of the southern hemisphere can be seen and visitors can learn about the interesting astrology of the region as tours include telescopes and expert guides. 

In case of an emergency dial 911 or 107

Hospital:

Arica Hospital tel. 58-232242