Antofagasta is a port city in northern Chile, about 1,100 kilometres north of Santiago. It is the capital of Antofagasta Province and Antofagasta Region. According to the 2015 census, the city has a population of 402,669.
Antofagasta Province is one of three provinces in the northern Chilean region of Antofagasta (II). The capital is the port city of Antofagasta.
Learn moreEnjoy this day tour to the Magellan Strait Park and the city of Punta Arenas departing from either your hotel or from Punta Arena's port! This tours is for travelers who have little time to meet Punta Arenas offering two tours in one day!
Book this experienceA unique experience in the open air, touring the Chilean highlands, where you find yourself in the pass with wonderful landscapes and local fauna that will delight the environment. In addition, its landscapes, reliefs and geographical features give a magical touch of spaces and colors that will surprise you. The tour to different towns in the area will let you know their customs, ways of living, their people, accustomed to the tranquility and local magic that will envelop you and attract you to stay or return soon. For the adventurers we have the option of camping in a valley, an altiplanic town, in a spectacular green environment that stands out in its desert geography. There is also the option of staying in an established place, with the corresponding amenities. All this, independent of the above, you can enjoy a spectacular dinner, an outdoor grill that will make you closer to the environment, the stars and the silence that characterizes.
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9 pictures of Antofagasta from Fati Laraà Lará, Trevor McKinnon, Wilman Aro and other travelers
Travel to Antofagasta if you like:
🐾 Wildlife 🗼 Landmark 🏖️ Ocean ⛰️ Hill ⛰️ MountaineeringNestled in the Chilean Atacama Desert and bordering the Pacific Ocean, in the region of Antofagasta, discover the coastal city of the same name, which is the capital of the region.
The city of Antofagasta is the 5th largest in the country with 400,000 inhabitants.
Formerly Bolivian, the city was founded by the former Bolivian president Mariano Melgarejo Valencia in 1868. After the occupation of the city by Chilean troops and the Pacific War, the city became part of Chile.
The city was mainly founded thanks to its port, which was used to export phosphate and later copper from the Chuquicamata mine, one of the country's main sources of wealth.
If you like a change of scenery, Antofagasta is ideal.
Start your trip with a visit to Mano del Desierto, an 11m high sculpture inaugurated in 1992. Located about 70km from the city, it is a breathtaking and original work of art, which should mark the beginning of your stay.
Continue your stay and take a breath of fresh air by visiting La Portada, a natural arch on the Chilean coastline located about 20km from the city of Antofagasta. Made of sandstone, sedimentary rock and surrounded by cliffs, the arch is 43m high. It is possible to get to the monument via the beach, which will allow you to take a nice walk along the ocean. During your walk, you may also come across many animals such as gulls, pelicans, and even dolphins and sea lions in the ocean. A real immersion in nature.
Of course, don't go to Antofagasta without stopping at the famous Chuquicamata mine. Nevertheless, the area is a bit contaminated, so it is advised not to get too close.
Not far away, you can also visit the ruins of Huanchaca. These are the remains of the Playa Blanca mineral processing plant belonging to the Bolivian Huanchaca mining company. Minerals, fossils and rocks fill the site which is full of history.
Finally, you can also visit the Regional Museum of Antofagasta where you can learn more about the history and culture of the region.
In the city of Antofagasta and its surroundings, there are many other picturesque landscapes to discover, as well as the historical culture of the area.
You can land at Antofagasta's Andrés Sabella airport, located about 10km from the city. From there you can easily take a bus or car to reach the city.
It is quite possible to hike in the Atacama Desert, in Antofagasta. Be sure to bring adequate footwear and hydration.
You can also go for a 4x4 ride, which makes the hike more fun and less tiring.
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️🏜️ Desert spots 🌲 Ecoregion spots 🐾 Wildlife spots ️🏜️ Badlands spots 🗼 Landmark spots 🌊 Ocean spots 🏰 Historic site spots Panorama spots 🌋 Stratovolcano spots ❄️ Tundra spots ⛰️ Hill spots 🏖️ Beach spots 🌋 Extinct volcano spots 🌲 Plain spots 🛣️ Road trip spots 🏞️ Watercourse spots 🏊 Swimming pool spots 🏞️ Waterway spots ⛰️ Mountain range spots ⛰️ Mountaineering spots 🏞️ National park spotsExplore popular touristic places around Antofagasta