Clean Cruising

Cruises visiting Coquimbo & all Coquimbo cruises for 2013 - 2014

Coquimbo is a port city and capital of the Elqui Province, located on the Pan-American Highway, in the Coquimbo Region of Chile. Tourism has recently started to develop, particularly as an access point for popular beach towns to the south, such as the fisherman’s cove of Guanaqueros, and Tongoy, with its famous 5km beach of white sand. Then there is La Serena, the capital of the region, with multiple attractions from architecture to beaches and shopping. Coquiimbo itself is a source of legends of hidden treasures, due to the fact that in the past centuries it was assaulted by pirates.

The peculiar and fascinating architecture of Coquimbo is due to English and North American carpenters who did elaborate work with wood that has given the buildings a particular firmness and beauty. These wooden buildings are of great interest to visitors. The Arms Square with its fountain and scenery for artistic displays, the Animas Cultural Dome that exhibits the architectural vestiges of three graves, together with the English Neighbourhood where constructions from the 19th century and beginning of 20th century are concentrated and that is home to an English neighbourhood pub, are all very worth while visiting.

The Pratt Square in this English neighbourhood is a beautiful esplanade with steps over the port and attractive sculptures hanging from high posts. Go down to visit the Oceanside Avenue of Coquimbo, and to Santiago to see the port activity and small boats on the bay. Then visit the Culture and Tourism House, a pyramidal building that offers tourist information, a public library and permanent exhibits. The San Pedro creek is in front of the park and it offers marine products and a craft fair. Don’t forget to visit the Cross of the III Millennium located at Vigía Hill as it is the highest and most spectacular construction built in the country.