Excursion Coquimbo & la serena highlights tour at Coquimbo

On this excursion visit the main highlights of La Serena, an attractive, colonial-style beach resort located 294 miles north of Santiago. This is the northern region of Chile known as "Norte Chico" (little North), and the entrance to the well-known Elqui Valley.

Leave the pier to drive to La Herradura Bay ("Horseshoe Bay" due to its shape) in Coquimbo, a place fabled for its pirates and corsaires who explored and plundered the coast, especially Francis Drake, giving rise to the legend of buried treasure near the Herradura. Enjoy seeing the former fishing village with handmade boats and its 1.2-mile-long beach.

Continue driving north towards the city of La Serena, along the coast with 4.4 miles of nice beaches that make this city one of the most popular during summer vacations. Stop at the Lighthouse, a 28m high structure built in 1951 as a symbol of the city and one of its emblems.

Drive through Francisco de Aguirre Boulevard to see many reproductions of historical marble statues between the trees of this popular park. Reach La Serena downtown, the most typical area of this old city founded in 1544, being the second-oldest city of Chile. The city has 3 architectural periods represented by churches and the Main Plaza with the traditional Spanish style, houses with neo-classical style and the neo-colonial period started in 1948 that may be found mainly today on its gardens, avenues and houses, with a copy of the Californian colonial style.

Stop at the main plaza, the place where the city was re-founded in 1549. A couple of blocks La Recova Market can be found, set in a picturesque patio, this market offers numerous interesting shopping opportunities including handicrafts such as lapis lazuli (Chile's famous semi-precious blue stone), pottery and ceramic with Diaguita motifs, as well as alpaca wool articles. Return drive to the pier in order to re-join the ship.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: La Serena, La Herradura Bay, Lighthouse photo stop, driving tour of La Serena, shopping at La Recova Market

Note

Please note: This tour entails walking mostly at each guest's discretion, making it suitable for guests with limited mobility. Guests are recommended to dress in lightweight, comfortable clothing, hiking shoes, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses.