City Tour Of La Serena And Coquimbo

Today we will embark on this captivating journey through La Serena and Coquimbo, where every corner tells a story and every view is a masterpiece.

We will meet in the hotel lobby to begin this adventure full of discoveries, history, colonial architecture, vibrant markets, coastal views, sea breezes, and a love for local life.

We begin in one of La Serena`s most iconic places, The picturesque Recova welcomes us with its charming stalls, followed by the historic Plaza de Armas and its colonial buildings. Every step is an immersion in the city`s rich history.

We will continue this beautiful tour by immersing ourselves in the serenity of the Japanese Garden, an oriental aesthetic oasis that offers a respite of calm in the middle of the city. It was inaugurated in 1994 for the 450th anniversary of the founding of La Serena, as a gift to the community.

After capturing the essence of the Japanese heart in the middle of this city, we will continue to the Monumental Lighthouse, built between 1950 and 1951 by the Chilean Navy. Given its fundamental status as a "notable vertical urban landmark," it is a nationally recognized tourist attraction of great social value. Its aesthetic and architectural value is defined by its proportions and height, and by its neo-colonial fortification style, adapted to the architectural typology of a lighthouse, typical of the Serena Plan.

We walk along the beautiful and distinctive Avenida Del Mar, a symbol of the majestic bay that connects La Serena and Coquimbo. We`ll have a glimpse of the diverse gastronomic offerings while enjoying the sea breeze and panoramic views, so you can also decide where to go later.

Upon arriving in Coquimbo, we glide along the picturesque waterfront, enjoying the harmony between the ocean and the city. The Cross of the Third Millennium awaits us. This is a religious memorial located on Coquimbo`s El Vigía Hill. It was built to commemorate the 2000 jubilee of the Catholic Church. It also offers us the opportunity to climb the museum, more than 200 meters above sea level. An unparalleled opportunity to see the entire city from above.

We will descend from the cross and head to the impressive Fort Lambert, a testament to the region`s military history. This fortification is located in the city of Coquimbo, specifically on Castillo del Carmen Hill, in the area known as Punta Pelícanos, due to the fact that 40 meters off the coast there is an islet populated by these birds.

Before beginning the return trip, we will explore Coquimbo`s charming English Quarter, where history and the Buenos Aires lifestyle intertwine on every street. Located on the edge of Coquimbo`s city center, the English Quarter is considered the region`s quintessential tourist, gastronomic, and heritage area. It surprises visitors during the day with craft shops, bakeries, and cafes, while at night, nearly fifty restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs ignite the bohemian life of Coquimbo`s port.