La Serena

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

University of La Serena

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

Courts of Justice and Plaza de Armas

By bus

• 1 Terminal de Buses. (updated Jul 2023)

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.

By plane

• 2 La Florida Airport (LSC  ^IATA). (updated Jul 2023)

Destinations:

• Santiago – LAN flies 5 times daily Su–F and 4 times Saturdays to La Serena. Flight duration is 1 hr and fully flexible ticket cost US$168 one way, US$305 return; advance non-flexible return tickets through the website may be much cheaper than the flexible one way price. 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. Ticket price: 2,000-3,000 pesos depending on where you go. They leave every hour from the bus station.

See

Cathedral of La Serena

• 1 Cathedral of San Bartolomé de La Serena (Our Lady of Mercy Cathedral), Los Carrera corner of Cordobez, ☏ +51 225658. 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.  
• 2 Church of San Agustín (Iglesia de San Agustín), Cienfuegos 402 corner Cantournet. Masses on Saturday, at 11:00 and 20:00. Sunday 10:00, 11:30 and 20:00. There may be other Masses, Monday through Friday at 11:00 and 20:00.. 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.  
• 3 House of Providence (Capilla, casa y claustro de la Divina Providencia), Justo Donoso 420. +51 2215215. 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.  
• 4 Archeological Museum (Museo Arqueológico), Cordovez corner Cienfuegos, ☏ +56 51 2672 210. Tu-F 09:20–17:50, Sa 10:00–13:00 and 16:00-19:00, Su 10:00–13:00. 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. 600 pesos, senior or student 300 pesos.  
• 5 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.  

  

  Lighthouse of La Serena

• 6 Gabriel González Videla Historical Museum (Museo Histórico Gabriel González Videla), Matta 495, ☏ +56 51 221 7189. 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.  
• 7 Church of La Merced (El Sagrario Parish / Iglesia de la Merced), Balmaceda 390, ☏ +51 219759. 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 (Avenida Francisco de Aguirre), Francisco de Aguirre Avenue S / N, ☏ +56 9 5500297. 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. 
• 8 Jardin del Corazon (Parque Japonés de La Serena) (just west of the center). 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. 2,000 pesos. (updated Jul 2023)
• 9 Museum of Religious Art (Museo de Arte Sacro del Arzobispado), La Carrera 450 (next to the Cathedral), ☏ +56 51 221 85 43. Tu-Sa 09:30-13:00, 15:00-18:00; Su 09:30-13:00. 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. (updated Oct 2019)

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.
• Cinema (at the Mall Plaza, by the bus terminal). (updated Jul 2023)

Further afield

• 1 Valle de Elqui (Elqui Valley) (See Pisco Elqui on how to get in). 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. (updated Jul 2023)
• 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.

• 2 Observatorio Mamalluca, Calle Gabriela Mistral 260, oficina 1, Ilustre Municipalidad de Vicuña, ☏ +56 51 411352, +56 51209138, mamalluca@munivicuna.cl. 3,500 pesos for adults and 1,500 pesos for kids from 3 to 12. Transportation (optional) 1,500 pesos.  
• 3 Observatorio La Silla, ESO, Casilla 567, El Santo, 1538, ☏ +56 51 225387, +56 2 4633280 (booking), fax: +56 51 215175, recepstg@eso.org.  
• 4 Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, CTIO, Casilla 603, Colina El Pino s/n, ☏ +56 51 205200, fax: +56 51 205212.  

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.

Where

• La Recova, Cienfuegos 370, ☏ +51 213888. La Recova is the central market of La Serena. It has 143 stores. (updated May 2021)

Eat

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

Budget

• 1 Restaurant Daniela, Av. Francisco de Aguirre 343. 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. (updated Mar 2023)
• 2 Tommy Restaurant, Plaza San Francisco - Eduardo de La Barra 489. (updated Mar 2023)
• 3 Los Pinos, Los Carrera. (updated Mar 2023)
• 4 El Bandido, Manuel Antonio Matta 666. (updated Mar 2023)
• 5 Restaurant Donde Galy, Manuel Antonio Matta 672. (updated Mar 2023)
• 6 Govinda`s Restaurant, Lautaro 841. (updated Mar 2023)
• 7 Sin Pecado: El Templo Del Sabor, Benavente 786. (updated Mar 2023)

Mid-range

• 8 Restaurant Casona Dell 900, Av. Francisco de Aguirre 433. Has great BBQ meats served on a coal-heated plate. (updated Mar 2023)
• 9 Donde El Guaton, Brasil 750. Chilean (updated Mar 2023)
• 10 Terrazza Restaurant Trattoria, Eduardo de La Barra 435. (updated Mar 2023)
• 11 Fuente Liverpool, Arturo Prat 465. (updated Mar 2023)

Splurge

• 12 Restaurant Machu Picchu, Cuatro Esquinas 3986. (updated Mar 2023)
• 13 Tololo Beach, Av. del Mar 5200. (updated Mar 2023)
• 14 Tololo Beef, Av. Costanera 5425. (updated Mar 2023)

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.

• 1 Hostal El Punto, Andres Bello 979 (Close to the center of La Serena, less than 5 minutes walking from the bus terminal), ☏ +56 51 2228474, info@hostalelpunto.cl. Check-in: 13:00–24:00, check-out: 07:00–11:00. 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. Bed in dormitory (mixed, 4 beds in total) for 10,000 pesos, double room from 21,000 pesos. (updated Nov 2016)
• Hostal Maria Casa, Las Rojas N°18 (just 3 minutes walking from the bus station), ☏ +56 9 74667433, andresmantra@gmail.com. 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. Dorms from US$20 (low season). (updated Jan 2019)
• Residencial Jofré, Regimiento Coquimbo, Central La Serena. Has excellent rooms with private bathrooms, hot water, shared kitchen facilities, TV room and free internet. US$23/double. 
• Aji Verde Hostel, Vicuña 415. Nice hostel neart the market. Member of HI get 10% discount. Staff helpful, good kitchen, living room and terraza. Breakfast and internet included. Dorms from 7,500 pesos. 
• Hostal El Arbol, Eduardo de la Barra #29, ☏ +56 51-216053, contacto@hostalelarbol.com. Peaceful hostel in a quiet neighborhood next to the Japanese gardens. Walking distance to Lider and downtown. 

Go next

• Fray Jorge National Park – A few hours to the south.
• Isla Damas – Swim, hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling. Penguins, sea lions, dolphins. Stay the night at Punta de Choros.