IQUIQUE: HISTORY, BEAUTY, AND FUN

by: Marco Ahumada.

Are you looking for a place where you can mix three important meaningswhen you choose a travel destination? Well, these three words are indicated in the title and they are: history, beauty, and fun and Iquique has them all.

If we look at the history, we find that Iquique was one of the most important cities when the pacific war was fought, in which Peru fought against Chile in 1.879. This celebration is part of the city and you can realize if you come on May 21st and you see how people go to "La Boya" the exact place in the ocean where the Chilean ship named "Esmeralda" was sunk by the Peruvian enemy ship named "El Huascar". Before that you can go to the front of Cavancha beach, where you can see the military and students' parade.

Another piece of history is the saltpeter's offices where you can go. Situated 7 kilometers from Pozo Almonte, this place offers us unforgettable views about how people lived in 1.920 because nothing has changed too much, since this place was named cultural heritage site by U.N.E.S.C.O.

Regarding beauty, you will find it if you go through its magnificent coast, where you are able to see many beaches where it is possible to swim, to camp, or just get a tan. In the first group we have Cavancha, the most important beach along the coast of Iquique. But on the south side we have many becahes where we can camp like Caramucho, Chanavayita, San Marcos, and Los Verdes. You can visit all these places for many days living and adventure by itself.

Fun is all over the city, from when you wake up till you go to bed. For example, it would be great to go to the museums - as I said before The Navy wpuld be a good alternative- then eat at restourant in the Mercado Central, whose food is delicious and very cheap with very tipical food from this region. In the afternoon, you can go to Z.O.F.R.I. and buy some - or all- souvenirs, specially perfumes, or you can go and take a walk along the seaside pedestrian street in Las Urracas, Cavancha, and Playa Brava.

In the night, there are a lot of pubs, restorants, and discos where you can visit, and all of them are open till 5 a.m., some places which are very recommended are: Disco Kamikaze, Sala Murano, Bar T, Rincon Pampino, Barsovia pub, Oxigeno Bar, and Siddharta lounge/bar.

If you are still not encouraged to come here, you will miss it, because all of what you read here is true.