Elqui Province: Pisco, Starry Skies and Coast
Accommodation in Elqui Province
In Elqui Province, coastal towns meet valleys known for Pisco, culture and views of the starry sky. You can plan your trip around the experiences that interest you most: boat trips and seafood around Coquimbo, museums and Pisco traditions in Pisco Elqui, or observatories and landscapes in the Elqui Valley.
Coast and nature by boat
In Coquimbo, trips around the bay are offered by boat or catamaran. Avenida Costanera also has a 4-kilometre cycle path. Those interested in seafood will find a varied food scene based on it in Coquimbo. These coastal experiences offer a different focus from the inland valleys.
In the part of the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve that lies within Elqui Province, visitors can reach Isla Damas by boat from Caleta Punta de Choros. Damas is the only island in the archipelago where visitors can go ashore. Boat trips in the reserve offer the chance to see Humboldt penguins, dolphins, sea lions and Yuncos. The island is therefore a specific destination for travellers who want to combine a boat trip with wildlife watching.
Elqui Valley: Pisco, culture and starry skies
In Pisco Elqui, you can learn how Pisco is made and sample different varieties at traditional distilleries. The Pisco Museum offers another way to deepen your knowledge of the drink. The town was named a Best Tourism Village in 2023. The award recognises rural destinations that stand out for sustainable tourism, the preservation of cultural and natural heritage, and the wellbeing of their communities.
The poet Gabriela Mistral also shapes the province’s cultural attractions. In Pisco Elqui stands Escuela Nº 10 Jerónimo Godoy Villanueva, which was declared a National Monument as a Historic Monument. It is also the endpoint of the Mistral Route. In Vicuña, a museum presents Mistral’s life and work. If you would rather turn your gaze to the night sky, tourist observatories such as Mamalluca are accessible from Vicuña. Observatorio Cancana is one of the observatories in the foothills of the Elqui Valley near Alcohuaz and Cochiguaz.
The landscapes along the Cochiguaz River are ideal for trekking and cycling. Paihuano is the gateway to the valleys of Cochiguaz and Alcohuaz, where a wide range of tourist activities is available. Near Paihuano, Quebrada de Paihuano offers special conditions for ecotourism and stargazing. The Elqui River begins in Rivadavia, where the Claro and Turbio rivers meet.
Towns, getting there and regional discoveries
From La Serena, the fully paved Ruta 41 leads to Vicuña; regular buses and private transport connect the two cities during the day. Pisco Elqui is about 100 kilometres, or roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes, from La Serena via the same road. Regular buses and private transport connect the coast with this point in the valley. If you are choosing between a coastal stay and a stay in the valley, these connections and the activities available in each area can help you choose your holiday rental.
The towns themselves also offer different cultural highlights: Coquimbo includes the Pueblo de Guayacán Historic Area. La Serena’s Historic Area was declared a National Monument in 1981 and includes 20 national monuments. In Andacollo, devotion to the Virgen de Andacollo draws tens of thousands of pilgrims to the local temples, especially every October and December.
To explore more of the province, visit these places: La Serena, Coquimbo, Paiguano, Vicuña, La Higuera and Trigo Blanco.
For the broader travel overview: Coquimbo Region.
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