Before you go

Your trip to La Serena.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

La Serena – Coquimbo Destination Vale do Elqui Capital

How to get there

Aeródromo La Florida (LSC) 5 km
Terminal de Buses de La Serena 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

La Florida airport is about 5 km from the center, with flights from Santiago and northern cities; taxis and transfers depart from the terminal. Confirm before purchasing. Buses from Santiago take six to seven hours via Ruta 5 and arrive at the city bus terminal, about one kilometer from the Plaza de Armas.

How many days

Two days are enough for the historic center, the coast and Coquimbo. Add a third day for the boat trip to the Reserva Nacional Pingüino de Humboldt. La Serena also serves as a base to go to and return from Vicuña in a day, although staying overnight in the valley is more comfortable for those visiting the observatory.

When to go

Summer, from December to March, has sunny days and beaches full of Chilean tourists. Outside that season, mornings often dawn cloudy and the temperature ranges from mild to cool, with little rain from May to August. The sea water is cold in any month.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

In the center and along the waterfront, no: you can get around on foot, by taxi, and by colectivo (fixed‑route shared taxis that carry several passengers). A car is useful for going to Coquimbo at night, for the valley, and for the Reserva Nacional Pingüino de Humboldt, which also has tours with transport leaving the city.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in La Serena

Morning
Historic center and stone churches
Start at the Plaza de Armas and go into the Catedral. Walk to the Iglesia de San Francisco and finish the morning at the Museo Arqueológico, which has Diaguita ceramics and the moai in the courtyard.
Afternoon
Lunch at the Recova and Jardim Japonês
Have lunch at the upstairs restaurants of the Recova and stroll through the craft stalls and papaya sweets. Then walk to the Parque Japonés Kokoro No Niwa to go around the lake.
Late afternoon
Lighthouse and Avenida del Mar
Go to the Faro Monumental and walk along the sand of the Avenida del Mar as the sun sets over the Pacific.
Evening
Dinner in the Barrio Inglés
Head to Coquimbo to dine on fish or seafood in one of the large old houses of the Barrio Inglés, which concentrates the bay's bars.

2 days in La Serena

Day 1

Morning
Churches, museum and square
Do the center circuit: Plaza de Armas, Catedral, Iglesia de San Francisco and Museo Arqueológico, with a coffee break on Prat Street.
Afternoon
Recova and Parque Japonés
Have lunch at the Recova, buy pisco and lapis lazuli, and spend the mid‑afternoon in the Parque Japonés Kokoro No Niwa.
Late afternoon
Sunset at the Faro Monumental
End the day on the waterfront, in front of the lighthouse, and walk south along the boardwalk.

Day 2

Morning
Cruz del Tercer Milenio
Go early to Coquimbo and climb to the viewpoint of the Cruz del Tercer Milenio, with views of both bays.
Afternoon
Port and Barrio Inglés
Go down to Coquimbo's port, have lunch at the fish market and walk through the streets of the grand houses in the Barrio Inglés.
Evening
Bar in Coquimbo or along the waterfront
Stay for a music bar in the Barrio Inglés or return to dine at a restaurant on the Avenida del Mar.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How many days to stay in La Serena?

Two days for the center, the waterfront and Coquimbo. A third day allows for the boat trip to the islands of the Reserva Nacional Pingüino de Humboldt.

Does La Serena have beaches suitable for swimming?

The Avenida del Mar beaches are wide and have light sand, but the water is cold year‑round. In summer there are lifeguards on several stretches.

Why does La Serena wake up cloudy?

The region's coast has low clouds that form over the cold sea and usually dissipate around midday, especially from April to November.

What is the difference between La Serena and Coquimbo?

They are neighboring and almost contiguous cities. La Serena has the historic center and the churches; Coquimbo is the port, with the Cruz del Tercer Milenio and the Barrio Inglés.

Back to La Serena