La Serena

The city is an important tourist site, especially during the summer, where people make it one of the most important vacation destinations in the country, mainly for its beaches, architecture, green areas and gastronomy. It is popularly recognized for the production of local papayas and their derivatives.

During the rest of the year, its activity focuses on being a place for university studies, as it is the headquarters of the University of La Serena and the headquarters of several private universities. In addition, it is the seat of the Archdiocese of La Serena, one of the five Catholic archdioceses of Chile and, on the other hand, it is the economic capital of the region.

• 🌍 Cathedral of San Bartolomé de La Serena (Our Lady of Mercy Cathedral), Los Carrera corner of Cordobez, ☏ +51 225658. This cathedral is the first in the city, founded in 1544. On one side of this is the Plaza Juan Pablo II. Its stained glass windows were brought from France and its bell tower dates from the 20th century. It is a national monument. 
• 🌍 Church of San Agustín (Iglesia de San Agustín), Cienfuegos 402 corner Cantournet. Masses on Saturday, at 11:00 and 20:00. Sunday 10:00, 11:30 and 20:00. There may be other Masses, Monday through Friday at 11:00 and 20:00.. Eclectic-style church founded in 1672 by the Jesuits. Throughout history this church has suffered from various thefts and fires. Its last reconstruction was completed in 1994, the year of the 450th anniversary of the founding of the city. This church was declared a national monument. 
• 🌍 House of Providence (Capilla, casa y claustro de la Divina Providencia), Justo Donoso 420. +51 2215215. Neoclassical style house built in 1872. It still preserves various accessories such as stained glass windows and altars. Even so, the house is now a school and boarding school that belongs to the congregation of the Sisters of Providence. 
• 🌍 Archeological Museum (Museo Arqueológico), Cordovez corner Cienfuegos, ☏ +56 51 2672 210. Tu-F 09:20–17:50, Sa 10:00–13:00 and 16:00-19:00, Su 10:00–13:00. This museum has a record of more than 12,000 objects, distributed in three categories, archeology, where it characterizes regional pre-Hispanic cultures of Chile, ethnography, where objects from ethnic groups in the area are exhibited, such as Mapuches, Selknam and Rapanui and paleontology, in where fossils of vertebrates and invertebrates are exhibited. 600 pesos, senior or student 300 pesos. 
• 🌍 Monumental Lighthouse. A National Monument, this lighthouse is characterized as one of the most representative tourist attractions in the area. Built between 1950 and 1951. 
• 🌍 Gabriel González Videla Historical Museum (Museo Histórico Gabriel González Videla), Matta 495, ☏ +56 51 221 7189. This museum has a record of more than 3,500 pieces, organized in history and fine arts, as well as various objects that illustrate the life of the president. 
• 🌍 Church of La Merced (El Sagrario Parish / Iglesia de la Merced), Balmaceda 390, ☏ +51 219759. This church was founded in 1558, but after several attacks it was finally rebuilt in 1830. The tower is in the Gothic style, and is considered the city's architectural heritage. 
• Outdoor museum (Avenida Francisco de Aguirre), Francisco de Aguirre Avenue S / N, ☏ +56 9 5500297. It began in 1855 with a pedestrian area, until between 1946 and 1952 several marble statues were donated by Italy, under the government of Gabriel González Videla. It extends from Balmaceda to the Monumental Lighthouse. 
• 🌍 Jardin del Corazon (Parque Japonés de La Serena) (just west of the center). The Japanese style (indeed, laid out by a Tokyo landscape architect) garden, celebrates the 450th anniversary of La Serena, its ties with its Japanese friend Tenri and the export of Chilean ore to Japan. Plenty of ducks and geese in the pond, some fish and the odd turtle. 2,000 pesos. (updated Jul 2023)
• 🌍 Museum of Religious Art (Museo de Arte Sacro del Arzobispado), La Carrera 450 (next to the Cathedral), ☏ +56 51 221 85 43. Tu-Sa 09:30-13:00, 15:00-18:00; Su 09:30-13:00. This museum is in the heart of La Serena, in front of the Plaza de Armas. More than 50 different pieces are on display, such as 18th-century Eucharistic ornaments, bishops' vestments and 18th-century oil paintings. (updated May 2019)

• Desert in bloom – If you are around in early spring, you might be lucky enough to see it. It happens in occasional years and is stunning.
• Beaches – La Serena has some of the country's longest stretches of beach. You can take a whole day walking from one end to another.

• Totoralillo Beach (Totoralillo Spa) – This beach is 25 km from La Serena, and it is visited by a large number of tourists. The most recommended activities to do are swimming, fishing, diving and surfing, in addition to visiting the large number of restaurants on site. You can enter the beach through route D-350.

• Whale Watching – Take a tour to observe whales, dolphins, birds, penguins and other sea life.
• Cinema (at the Mall Plaza, by the bus terminal). (updated Jul 2023)

The densest cluster of restaurants and fast food joints is around the intersection of O`Higgins and Eduardo de la Barra.

Loads of bars near the intersection of O`Higgins and Eduardo de la Barra. At least a couple of them will be busy even on a Monday night thanks to the town's students.

There are loads of options in the town. The area from the bus station throughout the center has at least one hostal on every block, and many fancier options, including package tour hotels along the beach.

• 🌍 Hostal El Punto, Andres Bello 979 (Close to the center of La Serena, less than 5 minutes walking from the bus terminal), ☏ +56 51 2228474, info@hostalelpunto.cl. Check-in: 13:00–24:00, check-out: 07:00–11:00. Rich breakfast included, friendly and helpful staff, big backyard with quiet corners, cafetería service during the day, storage room, various room types (from dormitory to suite with private balcony or rooms with shared bathroom), reasonable prices, possibility to make tour reservations, wifi included, book exchange and lending, laundry service, car and bike rental, service corner with fridge, microwave and electric kettle, parking space. Bed in dormitory (mixed, 4 beds in total) for 10,000 pesos, double room from 21,000 pesos. (updated Nov 2016)
• Hostal Maria Casa, Las Rojas N°18 (just 3 minutes walking from the bus station), ☏ +56 9 74667433, andresmantra@gmail.com. Has excellent rooms with shared (always clean)bathrooms and kitchen, the possibility to make your own sandals thanks to Pancho (but at least one traveller reports unwanted advances from him, so young women may want to keep this in mind) and his workshop, a great variety of tours, organized by themselves, and the best is the assistance they give to passengers, they really make you feel at home, so don't hesitate in asking them for whatever you may need. Dorms from US$20 (low season). (updated Jan 2019)
• Residencial Jofré, Regimiento Coquimbo, Central La Serena. Has excellent rooms with private bathrooms, hot water, shared kitchen facilities, TV room and free internet. US$23/double. 
• Aji Verde Hostel, Vicuña 415. Nice hostel neart the market. Member of HI get 10% discount. Staff helpful, good kitchen, living room and terraza. Breakfast and internet included. Dorms from 7,500 pesos. 
• Hostal El Arbol, Eduardo de la Barra #29, ☏ +56 51-216053, contacto@hostalelarbol.com. Peaceful hostel in a quiet neighborhood next to the Japanese gardens. Walking distance to Lider and downtown. 

• Fray Jorge National Park – A few hours to the south.
• Isla Damas – Swim, hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling. Penguins, sea lions, dolphins. Stay the night at Punta de Choros.