Tours and Activities:

A City for Everyone

History, archaeology, tourism and adventure are lodged in Arica. It is worth visiting it.

Arica has three main squares which are the meeting points for the various generations living in the city. They are: Colón square, where San Marcos Cathedral is located, Estación square and Vicuña Mackenna Park, at the base of the famous morro.

The famous morro, only 150 meters high, was the stage for the War of the Pacific, and today it is possible to get a panoramic view of the city, which seems to be taken from an airplane. The sea and its island joined to the continent, called ex-Alacrán Island lie opposite the morro. This old island used to stand almost half an hour away by boat and it was resolved by man that it should become part of the American continent. Today, an old lighthouse still gives it the characteristic of an island before the sailors that navigate the immense ocean until they reach Arica Port.

The presence of sea lions and dolphins, from time to time, make it magical. Even when it gets dark and its tiny lights are seen from several kilometers away.


Lost in the Historical Shell

As soon as it is observed, Saint Mark’s Cathedral shocks with its presence. It is one of the most beautiful churches in the world, built between 1871 and 1875 by the same company (managed by Gustavo Eiffel) that built the famous Parisian tower. Built in Gothic style, this cathedral is a real piece of architectural jewelry located opposite Colón square. This square, besides having avant-garde sidewalks regarding shape and color, gathers a group of fountains which help to relieve the heat in summer days

A few meters from there, stands the ex-Casa de Gobierno (House of Government), whose construction was also ordered to Eiffel by the Peruvian authorities of those days.

The old railway station and its square, which share the same name, stand opposite this house. A steam locomotive located in the square lets dozens of tourists imagine themselves on board of this relic which still gives much to talk about.

The city’s former Customs building was built in 1872. This building, declared Historical Heritage, was constructed by the same company. Today, the House of Culture operates there, which is visited by the young people of the city and from different local schools.

The 21 de Mayo pedestrian promenade is where most tourists gather. Thousands of people walk every day of the year along its colorful blocks full of cafés, shops and restaurants as they look for something to wear, to buy as a gift or just to make a stop.

Everything is possible in a city which has the necessary attractions to make tourists stay longer and invite them to fall in love with its coasts, its sea, its morro, its historical shell and its squares, but above all, with its people.

See also: Hotels in Arica and other accommodation venues