Along the Pan American Highway, 295 mi/475 km north of Santiago, La Serena, Chile, has become a beach resort popular with Chileans from Santiago and Argentines from the central Andean provinces. It is one of Chile's oldest cities, but its Spanish colonial-style architecture is misleading, as only a few buildings are truly colonial—most date from the mid-20th century. The Iglesia de San Francisco does date from the 17th century, and there are also colonial Dominican and Jesuit churches.
Sandy beaches stretch from La Serena some 9 mi/15 km south to the port of Coquimbo, whose rejuvenated Barrio Ingles is a 19th-century neighborhood that is the hub of the area's nightlife.
To request access to the full version of this destination guide, please provide your email address below. Your email address will only be used for verification purposes and will not be used for marketing purposes.