2025 Iquique Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

Iquique is a beach resort town in Northern Chile. I took a night bus from Arica (a city bordering Peru) taking 4:30 hours. The main beach Playa Cavancha is the main attraction. It has a nice, long promenade lined with modern high-rise buildings. The glory from the saltpetre mining in the past can be seen in the charming buildings around city centre. See my photos. The city lies on sloping dry mountain with nice view of the sea. Despite not being a major city, the cost of living is still high (Chilean standard). #iquique #chileanbeach #chileanpacificcoast

Driving on the border between Chile and Bolivia, stopping on the way to the snow-capped mountains, plateaus, lakes, llamas... I met a wounded, treacherous little fox, and divided it into a piece of meat... Nature is like a Pandora's box. There is wind in the box, there is snow, there are mountains, there is water, there is sunshine, there are life, everything is changed, crushed, reorganized, and then smashed with the seasons. Reorganize... No one can read all this change, so there are a thousand kinds of scenery in the eyes of a thousand people... I didn't cry, but my nose couldn't stop. Traffic: You can book directly from the small town of San Pedro de Atacama in the Atacama Desert ~ one day trip, start early in the morning and return at night. The price is between 70-120 US dollars, depending on how you go to the local area to bargain with the travel agency. The scenery there is beautiful, personal feeling, more suitable for driving. So if you have the ability, you can rent a car and enjoy the scenery along the way! Ps: Remember to wear thick clothes! The wind is very big, huge cold!

The center of the city of Iquique, Chile, is here at Arturo Prat Square. In the middle of the square, there is a large clock tower, and the area is bustling with restaurants, cafes, and stalls around it. From here, the main streets of the city extend, making it a perfect place for a stroll. Enjoying a coffee while gazing at the clock tower is a pleasant experience, so be sure to check it out. If you get a little hungry, head to the market and enjoy some seafood (lol). 📍Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/k7BYmXEPNXAzL6b88

Here are some recommended markets in Iquique, Chile. Centenario Market. This market is located in the center of the city, a little away from the coast. Seafood and vegetables are sold here, but the seafood section includes a variety of fish and shellfish. Sea urchins and abalone are recommended. Luxury items that are expensive in Japan can be purchased cheaply here. The market also has a restaurant, which is aimed at locals and serves very reasonable food. This is also recommended. 📍Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/W6AmUdaBjNXeagtdA #Spring0yentrip #Iquique #Chile

Introducing the fish market in Iquique, Chile. It's called Caleta Riquelme. Here, you can see wild sea lions basking in the sun behind the fish market, preying on fishermen's fish, just like in the Galapagos Islands. Every morning at around 8am, fresh seafood is lined up at the market from boats returning from fishing. The second floor of the fish market is a restaurant where you can eat freshly cooked seafood. 📍Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oECACAdSMy6L5nNk8 #Spring0yentrip #Chile #Iquique #Chile

Iquique, Chile, has a beach for swimming, and is crowded with people. A popular beach is Playa Cavancha Beach. The beach is surrounded by desert and buildings, but the contrast makes it perfect for Instagram. The roads along the beach are nicely paved, and it feels like you're walking on the beach in Los Angeles. It's also fun to run. Surfing classes are also held, so please come and visit! 📍Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fpave8Ctqpd7cgX69 #Spring0yentrip #Chile #Iquique

Introducing the beaches in Iquique, Chile. Playa Brava Beach. Playa Cavancha Beach is more crowded, but this beach is less crowded and more comfortable. There are skateboarding areas and beach volleyball courts along the beach, so it is very lively. The view from this beach is also amazing, so be sure to take a walk! 📍Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eA5WE9utHZfzYBH27 #Spring0yentrip #Chile #Iquique

Introducing the night view viewpoint in Iquique, Chile. It's about 30 minutes by taxi and walking from the center of town. You have to walk a little through the desert to get to the viewpoint, but the walk is fun. If you go in the evening, the sunset is also beautiful, and although the desert is pitch black at night, the town is lit up, so it's very beautiful and recommended. There aren't many people, so you can have the view all to yourself. 📍Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LEJUSxdVNSDXHkGF8 #Spring0yentrip #Chile #Iquique

Introducing a viewpoint in Iquique, Chile. Iquique is a city surrounded by desert mountains, but you can climb the desert mountains to get a panoramic view of the city. There are not many people here, so you can see the town surrounded by the desert during the day and the illuminated night view at night. You can enjoy a spectacular view while surrounded by the desert, so please come and visit us. 📍Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4XS19E3RgXe16CyaA #Spring0yentrip #Chile #Iquique

Here are some recommended hostels in Iquique, Chile. The atmosphere inside is outstanding and the location is great. The view from the rooftop is especially amazing! It's also just a one-minute walk from the beach. The facilities include a kitchen, ping pong table, billiards, and a bar space, the beds are clean, and the rates start from around 2,000 yen per night. This is a highly recommended place for backpackers. 📍Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/q6tz9kTX2C8kNfZn7 #Spring0yentrip #Chile #Iquique

I bet Chile doesn’t come to mind when you think about a beach vacation, but Playa Cavancha in Iquique is actually really nice. The beach has soft sand and the water is perfect for swimming and it is quite shallow and is safe for kids. It’s a cool spot where you can just chill out, and relax by the sea. The sunsets here are amazing, too. What I liked was that everything you need is close by—cafes, shops, and food spots are just a short walk from the beach. It’s easy to grab a snack or drink if you need a break. Just a heads-up: the sun can be pretty strong, so make sure to bring sunscreen. Also, walking along the boardwalk in the evening is a great way to wind down after a day at the beach. #beachtime #iquique #chile

The endangered world heritage site Humberstone is a famous ghost town in Chile. It used to be a mining town. It was once the white gold saltpetre mining center, but it was a ghost town in the night. There is a sad story circulating on the run-down land. It is said that the old buildings will echo the shouts of children from time to time, and some tourists can occasionally see strange phantoms in their photos.