Trip IdeasEl Norte Chico Places
- Overview
- Places to Explore
- Sights
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Entertainment
- Shopping
- Features
- Fodor's Choice
- Deals
- Spanish Phrases
- Guidebooks
-
Alto del Carmen
Not far from where El Transito and El Carmen rivers join to form the Huasco you'll find Alto del Carmen, a quaint town whose inhabitants dedicate themselves to cultivating the muscat grapes used to make... (more) -
Andacollo
The compact town of Andacollo, an important gold and silver mining center since the 16th century, makes a pleasant stopover between Ovalle and La Serena. Here you'll find one of Chile's most famous religious... (more) -
Bahía Inglesa
Some of the most beautiful beaches in El Norte Chico can be found at Bahía Inglesa, which was originally known as Puerto del Inglés because of the number of English buccaneers using the port... (more) -
Caldera
An important port during the silver era, Caldera today is a slightly run-down town with decent beaches and friendly people. The memories of piracy still haunt the port—a former pirate hideout—which... (more) -
Copiapó
Copiapó was officially founded in 1744 by Don Francisco Cortés, who called it Villa San Francisco de La Selva. Originally a tambo, or resting place, Copiapó was where Diego de Almagro... (more) -
La Serena
La Serena, Chile's second-oldest city, with several venerable churches and pleasant beaches, got off to a shaky start. Founded by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia in 1544, La Serena was destroyed... (more) -
Ovalle
Ovalle will always suffer in comparison to its fair sister to the north, La Serena, for it has no beaches or breezes. However, Ovalle can be a starting point for a morning tour or a stopping-off point... (more) -
Parque Nacional Fray Jorge
-
Parque Nacional Llanos de Challe
-
Parque Nacional Pan de Azúcar
-
Pisco Elqui
Once known as La Unión, this pisco-producing village, perched on a sun-drenched hillside, received its current moniker in 1939. Gabriel González Videla, at that time the president of Chile... (more) -
Vallenar
There isn't a reason to visit Vallenar, the transportation hub of the Huasco Valley, other than to use it as a base for visiting Parque Nacional Llanos de Challe or Alto del Carmen. Vallenar was founded... (more) -
Vicuña
As you head into the Elqui Valley, the first town you come to is Vicuña, famous as the birthplace of one of Chile's most important literary figures, Gabriela Mistral. Her beautiful, haunting poetry... (more)
Check hotel rates and airfares around the world- Travel Deals
-
Santiago hotel w/on-site restaurant — $133+
Hotels.com
-
Chile & Argentina 13-nt combo w/all flights — $1815+
LatinDestinations.com
-
Chile & Argentina 13-nt combo w/flight & hotels — $1815+
LatinDestinations.com
-
Santiago, Atacama, Mendoza & Buenos Aires12-nt trip — $2369+
LatinDestinations.com
- View All Travel Deals »
