Outings and excursions · La Serena
Stargazing in the Coquimbo Region: nights under the clearest skies
Photos: Miguel Carvajal / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
From La Serena, a night trip to the tourist observatories of the Elqui Valley to see the sky with the naked eye and through telescopes.
The clear skies of Chile's semi-arid north have made the Coquimbo Region one of the world's great stargazing destinations. From La Serena, a night trip to the Elqui Valley lets you see the Milky Way, southern-hemisphere constellations and planets like rarely before.
Mamalluca Observatory
About 9 km from Vicuña, Mamalluca was the region's first observatory designed for visitors. The tour lasts about two and a half hours: it starts with naked-eye observation on its terraces, with guides pointing out the constellations, and continues with telescopes. In 2025 it became one of the first three observatories in Chile to earn Starlight certification, which recognises the protection of the night sky.
How to plan it
- Tours leave from La Serena and Coquimbo with transport included.
- Visits are in Spanish and, depending on the observatory, other languages.
- Booking ahead is recommended.
Tips
- Choose moonless or low-moon nights to see more stars.
- Bring warm clothes: even in summer, nights in the valley are cool.
