La Serena.
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Overview

La Serena is a charming city of about 200,000 people (2012) in Northern Chile. Its historic center stands out with a beautiful and well-preserved neocolonial architecture characterized by its balconies, small squares and stone churches of several centuries old, its extensive beaches and for being one of the cities with the best quality of life in Chile.

Understand

The city is an important tourist site, especially during the summer, where people make it one of the most important vacation destinations in the country, mainly for its beaches, architecture, green areas and gastronomy. It is popularly recognized for the production of local papayas and their derivatives.

During the rest of the year, its activity focuses on being a place for university studies, as it is the headquarters of the University of La Serena and the headquarters of several private universities. In addition, it is the seat of the Archdiocese of La Serena, one of the five Catholic archdioceses of Chile, and the economic capital of the region.

Get in

Buses leave several times every hour from Santiago to La Serena. The trip takes 7–8 hr. Companies include Pullman Bus and TurBus (see for timetable and booking). Available are regular buses, semi-cama and the first class salon-cama. Prices vary greatly.

By car From the north and the south, the main access route to the city is via route 5, which is a double-lane highway from the south and one-lane highway from the north.

Destinations: Santiago – LAN flies 5 times daily Su–F and 4 times Saturdays to La Serena. Sky Airline flies three times daily from Santiago. Antofagasta – Daily flights with LAN. Sky Airline daily. Copiapó – One flight on Saturdays Calama – One flight on Saturdays

Get around

By bus Buses leave several times every hour from La Serena to Valle del Elqui. The trip takes 1–2 hr. They leave every hour from the bus station.

See

Cathedral of San Bartolomé de La Serena. This cathedral is the first in the city, founded in 1544. On one side of this is the Plaza Juan Pablo II. Its stained glass windows were brought from France and its bell tower dates from the 20th century. It is a national monument.

Church of San Agustín. Eclectic-style church founded in 1672 by the Jesuits. Throughout history this church has suffered from various thefts and fires. Its last reconstruction was completed in 1994, the year of the 450th anniversary of the founding of the city. This church was declared a national monument.

House of Providence. Neoclassical style house built in 1872. It still preserves various accessories such as stained glass windows and altars. Even so, the house is now a school and boarding school that belongs to the congregation of the Sisters of Providence.

Archeological Museum. This museum has a record of more than 12,000 objects, distributed in three categories, archeology, where it characterizes regional pre-Hispanic cultures of Chile, ethnography, where objects from ethnic groups in the area are exhibited, such as Mapuches, Selknam and Rapanui and paleontology, in where fossils of vertebrates and invertebrates are exhibited.

Monumental Lighthouse. A National Monument, this lighthouse is characterized as one of the most representative tourist attractions in the area. Built between 1950 and 1951.

Gabriel González Videla Historical Museum. This museum has a record of more than 3,500 pieces, organized in history and fine arts, as well as various objects that illustrate the life of the president.

Church of La Merced. This church was founded in 1558, but after several attacks it was finally rebuilt in 1830. The tower is in the Gothic style, and is considered the city's architectural heritage.

Outdoor museum. It began in 1855 with a pedestrian area, until between 1946 and 1952 several marble statues were donated by Italy, under the government of Gabriel González Videla. It extends from Balmaceda to the Monumental Lighthouse.

Jardin del Corazon. The Japanese style (indeed, laid out by a Tokyo landscape architect) garden, celebrates the 450th anniversary of La Serena, its ties with its Japanese friend Tenri and the export of Chilean ore to Japan. Plenty of ducks and geese in the pond, some fish and the odd turtle.

Museum of Religious Art. This museum is in the heart of La Serena, in front of the Plaza de Armas. More than 50 different pieces are on display, such as 18th-century Eucharistic ornaments, bishops' vestments and 18th-century oil paintings.

Do

Desert in bloom – If you are around in early spring, you might be lucky enough to see it. It happens in occasional years and is stunning. Beaches – La Serena has some of the country's longest stretches of beach. You can take a whole day walking from one end to another. Totoralillo Beach (Totoralillo Spa) – This beach is 25 km from La Serena, and it is visited by a large number of tourists. The most recommended activities to do are swimming, fishing, diving and surfing, in addition to visiting the large number of restaurants on site. You can enter the beach through route D-350. Whale Watching – Take a tour to observe whales, dolphins, birds, penguins and other sea life.

Valle de Elqui. A beautiful valley in the otherwise arid region. Equestrian tours are available that climb into hills going in among the papaya farms and looking down on valley. Taste some pisco sour at a distillery and stay the night. Also, there one of the most beautiful, clear and brilliant nights you will ever see. The main villages can easily be done on a bicycle. Vicuña, where Gabriela Mistral was born, and where you can get to see how the Chilean Pisco is made. Pisco Elqui, which is ideal for a romantic escapade and Cochiguaz.

Observatory tours – The Elqui Valley outside La Serena has some of the best conditions for observing the sky, hence the many observatories, some open to the public doing tours from La Serena city at night. Tour prices including transport are about 15,000 pesos.

Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory.

Buy

What Papaya juice – Sold all over the city but especially at markets, the papaya is grown locally here. Pisco – The national drink of Chile is brewed in the nearby Elqui Valley and is a must-try for every traveller, enjoyed either as a Pisco Sour (Pisco with limon juice, sugar, and egg-white) or Piscola (Pisco with Coke). Handicraft – Nice handicraft markets are held every summer.

La Recova. La Recova is the central market of La Serena. It has 143 stores.

Eat

The densest cluster of restaurants and fast food joints is around the intersection of O`Higgins and Eduardo de la Barra.

Restaurant Daniela. A set lunch may only set you back 1500 pesos; you might find it's not worth it. This goes for home-made food, and not getting all sick.

Restaurant Casona Dell 900. Has great BBQ meats served on a coal-heated plate.

Drink

Loads of bars near the intersection of O`Higgins and Eduardo de la Barra. At least a couple of them will be busy even on a Monday night thanks to the town's students.

Sleep

There are loads of options in the town. The area from the bus station throughout the center has at least one hostal on every block, and many fancier options, including package tour hotels along the beach.

Hostal El Punto. Rich breakfast included, friendly and helpful staff, big backyard with quiet corners, cafetería service during the day, storage room, various room types (from dormitory to suite with private balcony or rooms with shared bathroom), reasonable prices, possibility to make tour reservations, wifi included, book exchange and lending, laundry service, car and bike rental, service corner with fridge, microwave and electric kettle, parking space.

Hostal Maria Casa. Has excellent rooms with shared (always clean)bathrooms and kitchen, the possibility to make your own sandals thanks to Pancho (but at least one traveller reports unwanted advances from him, so young women may want to keep this in mind) and his workshop, a great variety of tours, organized by themselves, and the best is the assistance they give to passengers, they really make you feel at home, so don't hesitate in asking them for whatever you may need.

Residencial Jofré. Has excellent rooms with private bathrooms, hot water, shared kitchen facilities, TV room and free internet.

Aji Verde Hostel. Nice hostel neart the market. Member of HI get 10% discount. Staff helpful, good kitchen, living room and terraza. Breakfast and internet included.

Hostal El Arbol. Peaceful hostel in a quiet neighborhood next to the Japanese gardens. Walking distance to Lider and downtown.