Arica
Arica is a Pacific port where the Atacama Desert meets the ocean, with ancient mummies, a hilltop view and olive valleys within a short drive.
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Arica is a port city in northern Chile close to the Peruvian border, where the Atacama Desert runs down to the Pacific. The main draw is the Chinchorro mummies at the San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum. These are older than the Egyptian mummies most people know. The city also has San Marcos Cathedral, an iron church whose design is linked to Gustave Eiffel, and the Morro de Arica, a headland above the port with views over the coast and the site of an 1880 battle.
The Azapa Valley, a short drive inland, is a green strip of olive groves and farms in the desert, and it is worth a half day. Coastal fog covers the city in some months, so plan beach time for the clearer ones. Two or three days is enough for the city, the valley and a beach, with time for the museum and the Morro.
Arica in five
- Carry Chilean pesos for small shops and taxisSmall food stalls, fruit sellers and some taxis in Arica want cash in pesos. Withdraw from bank ATMs in the center before you head to the beaches or the valley.Money and costs
- Declare fresh food at Arica's airport and bordersOfficers check food, fruit, plants and seeds at Chacalluta airport and at land crossings. Eat or declare them before you reach the desk.Visas and entry
- Sleep low before going up to PutreArica is at sea level and Putre sits at about 3,500 m. Go up slowly, drink water, and check that your travel insurance covers high-altitude trips.Travel insurance
- Carry your passport for a Tacna day tripTacna is in Peru, so a day trip needs your passport and Peru's entry rules. Check both before you cross the border.
- See the Chinchorro mummies at AzapaThe San Miguel de Azapa museum holds Chinchorro mummies, some of the oldest artificially preserved bodies known. Go in the morning, before the midday heat in the valley.
Things to do in Arica
See all attractions in Arica
Need to know
- Currency
- Chilean peso (CLP)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check your nationality first Read more
- Emergency
- 133 police, 132 fire, 131 ambulance
- Tipping
- About 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added
- Time
- UTC-4 in southern winter, UTC-3 in southern summer (daylight saving)
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear1 rainy dayHigh26°Low20°Hot, altiplano rainJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, altiplano rain
- FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh27°Low21°Altiplano rainFebruaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Altiplano rain
- MarchClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Warm, sunnyMarchClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, sunny
- AprilClear0 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Mild, clearAprilClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- MayClear0 rainy daysHigh21°Low16°Cooler, clearMayClear
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cooler, clear
- JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Cool, morning fogJuneClear
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, morning fog
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh18°Low13°Coastal fogJulyClear
Poor
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Coastal fog
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Coastal fogAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Coastal fog
- SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Spring, clearingSeptemberClear
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, clearing
- OctoberClear0 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Mild, sunnyOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, sunny
- NovemberClear0 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Warm, sunnyNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, sunny
- DecemberClear0 rainy daysHigh24°Low18°Hot, busyDecemberClear
Good
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
Average daily high and low in Arica, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Arica
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 27°
- Humidity
- 56%
- Wind
- 19 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Arica
05:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today26°21°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue25°21°2%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed25°21°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu25°20°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri25°20°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat25°19°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun26°18°4%Sunday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 02:22 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 990.8 CLP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Valle de Azapaabout 20 to 30 min by carOlive groves and the San Miguel de Azapa museum, with its Chinchorro mummies.
- Putreabout 3 hours by roadAn Andean village at about 3,500 m, a good first step into the altiplano.
- Tacnaabout 1 to 1.5 hours by roadA cross-border day trip into Peru, with markets and cafés.
Before you go to Arica
Rules for Arica, checked
- Declare fresh food, plants and seeds on arrival; Chile's agriculture service SAG sets the rules, see sag.gob.cl.Source
- Entry rules and passport validity depend on your nationality; check the Servicio Nacional de Migraciones before you fly.Source
- Removing artifacts from archaeological sites is illegal in Chile, including at the desert and coastal sites around Arica.
Plan around Arica
Arica as the northern gateway to Chile
Read the guideGetting aroundAirport transfers, buses and taxis to the valley
Read the guideMoney and cardsPesos in cash and where cards work
Read the guideEntry and border rulesEntry rules, passport checks and the border
Read the guideWhere to stay in AricaCentro, Playa Chinchorro and the valley
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData for maps, taxi apps and bookings
Read the guideArica FAQ
Is Arica worth visiting?
Yes, for two or three days. The Azapa valley and museum, the Morro lookout, the beaches and a day trip to Putre fill a short trip.
How many days do you need in Arica?
Two days covers the center, the Morro lookout, San Marcos Cathedral and Playa Chinchorro. Add a day for the Azapa valley.
How do you get to Arica from Santiago?
Fly into Chacalluta airport, which serves Arica. Buses from Santiago are a long journey, so check the timetable before you plan.
Can you visit Tacna as a day trip from Arica?
Yes. Tacna is in Peru, about 1 to 1.5 hours by road. Carry your passport and check Peru's entry rules before you go.
How high is Putre?
Putre is at about 3,500 m above sea level. Spend a night there before going higher, and drink water through the day.