Arica

Where to stay

Budget beds cluster in the historic center around Plaza Colón and the Cathedral, keeping the main sights and cheap eats within walking distance. A few hostels sit closer to the bus terminals on the eastern edge, which is convenient for early departures but quieter and less atmospheric at night.

Getting around

• Use the local buses along the major avenues to get around; the fare is a fraction of what a taxi charges and the network covers most of the compact city center.
• Crossing the border to Tacna, Peru, is a standard day trip. Colectivos (shared taxis) run constantly between the Arica and Tacna international terminals during opening hours, handling immigration for you at a modest fixed rate.
• The water is cold year-round due to the Humboldt Current, so do not judge the swimming conditions by the air temperature. The beaches are great for walking and sunbathing, but swimming requires a wetsuit or a very short dip.

When to go

Arica has an 'eternal spring' climate with virtually no rain, so prices are relatively stable year-round. Rates tend to be lowest in the shoulder months of April-May and September-October, avoiding the Chilean summer holidays in December-January and the Easter break when domestic tourism peaks.