PORTS OF CALL - South America
La Serena (Coquimbo), Chile
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Founded in 1543, La Serena ("The Serene One") is Chile's second-oldest city. Blessed with a climate similar to that of the Mediterranean, you'll enjoy miles of sun-drenched, white-sand beaches. La Serena's surrounding mountain area is said to have the clearest skies on the face of the earth - which has made it home to the greatest concentration of astronomical observatories in the world.
Don't Miss
The Plaza de Armas is the physical and social heart of La Serena, the place where you can best experience the pulse of the city's everyday life. No trip would be complete without a visit to the Palacio de la Real Audiencia, the magnificent colonial structure that houses the Museo Histórico Nacional. And the elegant Cathedral of the City of La Serena, with its unique blend of neoclassical and baroque design, is just across the square.
Sporting Adventures
For the outdoor enthusiast, La Serena and surrounding region has it all: dazzling sun-drenched beaches, glacier-fed rivers, pristine lakes, rugged mountains and lush forests. Whether your passion is hiking, surfing, sailing, fishing or sightseeing, you'll find La Serena is one place where you can literally do it all.
Shopping for Bargains
There are several local markets where you can find handcrafts mostly from Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile, of course. Products like handmade sweaters, hats, mantles, socks, t-shirts, pottery, food and Lapis-Lazuli jewelry. You'll also find many local craftspeople making a variety of goods out of totora, a fiber made from the cattail plant. These products are unique and very reasonably priced.
Local Flavours
There's a Chilean word -picada - that loosely translated means an inexpensive place with good food, a bit off the beaten track, but popular with locals. In La Serena, there are a number of these picadas on the city's Av del Mar, where you'll find the freshest seafood and shellfish simply and tastefully prepared. The sea bass, salmon and King Crab are particular local favorites.
Currency
La Serana's currency is the Chilean Peso (CH$). Unlike other South American countries, Chile rarely accepts U.S. dollars. (The exception is larger hotels, where prices are often quoted only in dollars.) Credit cards and travelers checks are accepted everywhere in La Serena's most touristy areas. However, if you're planning to shop in outlying areas or smaller stores, it is advisable to carry a certain amount of Chilean pesos.