Discovering Iquique: A Traveler's Guide to Northern Chile's Coastal Charm
Do you find yourself comparing every new destination to places you've visited before? We certainly do—not just the overall vibe, but specific streets, neighborhoods, and corners.
It took time to warm up to Iquique, a vibrant city in Northern Chile, but comparisons started immediately. The unfinished concrete skyscrapers along the coast evoked Panama City, Panama—a place we only partially embraced.
Wandering the Centro Histórico, the colorful clapboard houses amid grand Spanish colonial architecture reminded us of Belize.
Yet, by our final days strolling the palm-lined coastal boardwalk near Playa Cavancha, I couldn't help laughing as I told my partner Dani, 'Iquique has a bit of a Miami vibe, doesn't it?'
Not quite. But its unique charm grew on us, tempered by realistic expectations beyond hype from guidebooks and blogs. Often praised as a surfer's and paraglider's paradise with a Southern California feel, Iquique delivered differently.
We sought an extended beach escape before months in the Andes. However, massive waves crashed intensely on the shore, limiting us to toe-dipping.
Paragliding is a highlight—thrilling to watch near the shore—but tangled power lines, common in Latin America, deterred us from trying.
Instead, we walked the expansive coastal boulevard and explored the historic Baquedano neighborhood. A standout moment: passing the fish market during feeding time, where sea lions, pelicans, and other marine life vied for fishmongers' tossed guts.
Southward lies Playa Cavancha, the main beach hub with surfers. On a lively Saturday, we strolled further south to our hotel, passing surfers, longboarders, rollerbladers, families, ice cream vendors, and Chilean tourists on the wooden boardwalk.
Waves pounded right, traffic flowed left, during our hour-long trek back to Playa Brava—our surprisingly ideal base. Just a 10-minute cab from the center, it offered three top restaurants, the best café, and the most relaxed beach stretch nearby.
We savored overpriced yet exceptional sushi at Otaku Sushi, authentic Italian at Trattoria Macchiavello next door, and robust coffee at Ciocolatta each morning.
Beyond beaches, day trips from Iquique include the UNESCO-listed ghost towns of Humberstone and Santa Laura—former nitrate mining hubs—and the Atacama Giant geoglyphs, the world's largest rock art.
Iquique's true uniqueness? It's a slender strip wedged between the Pacific Ocean and a towering sand dune-like mountain, creating an intense yet palm-fringed, sun-kissed atmosphere.
Our Top Eateries in Iquique: Otaku Sushi (Avenida Arturo Prat 3080), Trattoria Macchiavello (Avenida Arturo Prat 3082), Ciocolatta for coffee and cake (Avenida Arturo Prat 3078)
[flickrslideshow acct_name="globetrottergirls" id="72157639879264813"]
