Museo del Mar de Arica🏛 museum
Opened in October 2006, this maritime museum displays a vast collection of sea shells and marine life from the Chilean coast.
🌐 museodelmardearica.cl🕒 Tu-Su 11:00-14:00,15:00-19:00
Plizio Visual Lab
Port of Arica
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
Port
The Port of Arica is Chile's northernmost maritime gateway and holds immense international significance due to the 1904 Treaty with Bolivia. It serves as the primary transit port for Bolivia, providing landlocked neighboring country with duty-free access to the Pacific Ocean, making it a cornerstone of regional diplomacy. The port handles a diverse range of cargo, from minerals extracted in the Bolivian highlands to consumer goods destined for the local and regional markets. Its strategic location near the borders of both Peru and Bolivia establishes Arica as a vital logistics hub for the Andean tri-border area. In recent years, substantial investments have been made to enhance container terminal efficiency and optimize harbor access for larger vessels. Despite the political complexities of its dual role, the port is managed with high professional standards and contributes significantly to the economic prosperity of the Arica and Parinacota Region.
- Location: Chile
- Top sights: Museo del Mar de Arica · Casa Yanulaque · Faro Molo de Abrigo de Arica
- Nearby: Putre (85 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, May, Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 21 |
| Rain mm | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
📋 Practical info
What is this place?
The Port of Arica is a vital port in the extreme north of Chile, handling a large portion of Bolivia's international trade. It serves as Bolivia's main access point to the Pacific and is a central hub for regional cargo.
Visiting
The port is an active cargo port and usually not open to the public, but the coastal road and Morro de Arica offer excellent views of the port facilities. From the Morro you get a panoramic view of the entire bay.
Where to view it
Morro de Arica, a prominent hill at the southern end of the city, is the best viewpoint for the port and coastline. El Laucho beach south of the port also provides a good perspective on incoming ships.
Local products
Through Arica, Bolivian export goods such as zinc, silver, and soybeans are typically shipped. The city's markets also offer Chilean seafood, especially hake and mussels, as well as Andean handicrafts.
Active season
The port is active year-round, with seasonal fluctuations depending on harvest times for Bolivia's agricultural exports. The months after the soybean harvest (March to May) are especially busy.
Nearby
A port visit can be combined with exploring downtown Arica, its cathedral, and the Archaeological Museum. The nearby Lluta Valley with its petroglyphs and hot springs is also worth a trip.
Geography
Facts
- Chile's northernmost maritime port.
- The main transit point for Bolivia's international trade.
- Provides treaty-based duty-free Pacific access for Bolivia.
- Strategic hub at the Chile-Peru-Bolivia tri-border area.
- Features modern and highly automated container terminals.
- An important port of call for northern cruise tourism.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Port of Arica (19)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Why is the port of Arica strategically important?
It provides Bolivia with treaty-guaranteed access to the Pacific Ocean.
What is mainly transported here?
Bolivian ore and soy, as well as Chilean fish and borax.
Is the port interesting for tourists?
Yes, from the pier you can often see sea lions and pelicans.
What attraction is right next to it?
The historical 'Morro de Arica' rock towers directly behind the city.
Is there a rail connection?
Yes, the historic Arica-La Paz railway line starts here.
Port of Arica: where is it located?
Port of Arica is located in Chile.
Port of Arica: what is there to see?
Highlights include Museo del Mar de Arica, Casa Yanulaque, Faro Molo de Abrigo de Arica.
Port of Arica: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, May, Dec.
Port of Arica: why is it worth visiting?
The Port of Arica is Chile's northernmost maritime gateway and holds immense international significance due to the 1904 Treaty with Bolivia.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in South America
More places in Chile →
Nearby cities
History & landmarks
More places
Morro de Arica
A prominent coastal hill known as the site of a decisive battle during the War of the Pacific.
Salar de Surire Natural Monument
A high-altitude salt lake ecosystem in the Andes, encompassing thermal springs and important breeding areas for various flamingo species …
Toquepala Mine
Known for its large open-pit copper extraction and has a dedicated railway to the coast.
Quellaveco Mine
A major modern copper mining project in the Moquegua region, highly automated.
Port of Iquique
A major seaport in northern Chile, essential for the ZOFRI free trade zone.
Cuajone Mine
A significant copper mine in southern Peru, part of a large mining complex.