La Serena

Where should I stay?

Where should I eat?

• Mercado La Recova · Centro · Market / local produce: The city's traditional market, good for papaya preserves, dried fruit, Elqui Valley pisco and cheap set lunches upstairs.
• Terminal Pesquero de Coquimbo · Coquimbo · Seafood: Working fish market by the port with simple stalls serving fresh empanadas de mariscos, ceviche and fried fish.
• Donde el Guatón · Centro · Chilean grill: Long-running steakhouse downtown known for generous parrilladas and classic Chilean dishes.
• Café Colonial · Centro · Café: Casual downtown café near the plaza for breakfast, sandwiches and coffee between sightseeing stops.

What should I do?

• Faro Monumental de La Serena · Avenida del Mar: The city's landmark lighthouse at the start of the beachfront avenue, a good starting point for a coastal walk.
• Avenida del Mar · Avenida del Mar: Long beachfront strip of sand, restaurants and bike paths running from La Serena toward Coquimbo.
• Museo Arqueológico de La Serena · Centro: Museum covering the Diaguita and Molle cultures, with a moai from Rapa Nui in its collection.
• Museo Histórico Gabriel González Videla · Centro: Former home of the Chilean president, now a museum of regional history and art facing the Plaza de Armas.
• Jardín Japonés Kokoro No Niwa · Parque Japonés: Quiet Japanese garden with ponds, bridges and koi, a calm break near downtown.
• Observatorio Mamalluca · Vicuña, Valle del Elqui: Tourist observatory in the Elqui Valley offering night stargazing sessions under some of the clearest skies on earth.
• Reserva Nacional Pingüino de Humboldt · Punta de Choros: Boat trips from Punta de Choros around Isla Choros to see Humboldt penguins, sea lions and often dolphins.