Coquimbo (La Serena) / Chile

Coquimbo is a port city in Chile, located in a valley about 10 kilometers south of La Serena, with which it has a combined population of about 400,000. If your ship stops here, prepare for summer average temperatures around 25°C and winter around 19°C.

Coquimbo is naturally a harbor by its character. In 1550, it was acquired by the Spanish, and after gold and copper were discovered here, the place gained importance. It reached its peak around the mid-19th century when many Europeans, especially from England, chose it as their new home. Coquimbo officially became a city in 1879.

Today, the city's economy is primarily driven by its port (exporting fruits, copper, and also wine produced in the area), and tourism is also beginning to develop. Coquimbo is a place where cruise ships dock, and tourists set out from here to beach towns such as Guanaqueros and Tongoy, located south of the city. The famous expansive La Herradura beach, shaped like a horseshoe, invites swimming with its crystal-clear and calm waters.

Although you won't find many historical landmarks in Coquimbo, if you are an architecture enthusiast, you will appreciate a walk (or elevator ride) to the top of El Vigia, where the Cruz del Tercer Milenio, a monument celebrating the third millennium, was built in 1999. It offers beautiful views of the city, and nearby you can visit the John Paul II Museum. Among religious buildings, the local mosque stands out, which is a replica of Moroccan mosques. You can admire it not only from the outside but also from the inside, but only at designated times and be mindful of appropriate attire.

The long-gone past is then reminded by Fuerte Lambert, a fortress where you can view old cannons and enjoy beautiful sea views. A walk through Cementerio Ingles, the English cemetery with ancient monuments, will also take you back in history. Legend has it that among them is the one marking the final resting place of the famous English privateer Francis Drake. He arrived here in 1587 and discovered the La Herradura bay.

If you want to learn something new, then the aquarium and museum at the Faculty of Maritime Studies are ready for you, and in the city center, Casa de las Artes, an art museum.

Places Worth Seeing

Cruz del Tercer Milenio – Climb to the top of El Vigia hill and enjoy the views from the monument built in 1999 to celebrate the 3rd millennium.

Playa La Herradura – Relax on the vast horseshoe-shaped beach where the water remains calm like in a pool.

Mezquita de Coquimbo – Admire the beautiful mosque built in the style of Moroccan religious buildings.

Fuerte Lambert – Don't miss the fortress on the seashore and delve into the history of the area's settlement.

Aquarium and Museum – Discover marine fauna and flora through an interesting exhibition at the Faculty of Maritime Studies.

Cementerio Inglés – Visit the English cemetery, which is said to be the burial place of the famous seafarer Francis Drake.

Casa de las Artes – If you are an art enthusiast, you will enjoy the art museum near the city center.