This major Chilean port city, home to the world's largest copper mine, sits along the Pacific coast. Its mining industry and desert location make it a key economic center in northern Chile.
Antofagasta stretches along Chile's northern Pacific coast in the Atacama Desert. You can walk on the white sand of La Rinconada beach, explore the massive Chuquicamata copper mine, or watch waves crash against La Portada's 43-meter stone arch. The city's location in the Atacama Desert means clear night skies for stargazing at nearby observatories, while local restaurants serve fresh Pacific seafood caught daily.
Exploring La Portada Natural Monument
La Portada's white stone arch rises 43 meters above the Pacific Ocean, 18 kilometers north of central Antofagasta. Waves crash against the cliffs of the Coastal Mountain Range below the arch. You can observe the formation from a viewing platform and walk along marked paths with information panels about local marine wildlife.
Mining Tours and Chuquicamata
At Chuquicamata, 215 kilometers from Antofagasta, you'll find the world's largest open-pit copper mine. During free guided tours, you can watch mining trucks - each as large as a small building - transport copper ore across the vast desert pit. Stop by the mine's museum to learn about copper extraction in the region and see exhibits about the former mining town that moved to make way for expanding operations.
Beaches and Coastal Activities
Rocky cliffs line much of Antofagasta's immediate coast, but you'll find several constructed beaches within the city limits for swimming and sunbathing. Head north to La Rinconada and Las Losetas for natural beaches with calm waters. Surfers come year-round to catch waves at local spots, thanks to the steady climate conditions.
Historic City Center
A Victorian clock tower, gifted by the local British community, marks the center of Plaza Colón. Palm trees and flowerbeds fill the plaza's gardens. Walk the surrounding streets to see 19th-century buildings from the nitrate mining era, including the converted railway station museum and the regional library in its colonial-style building.
Transportation and Access
Daily flights connect Andrés Sabella Gálvez International Airport with Santiago and other Chilean cities. You can reach neighboring regions via the Pan-American Highway, while trains run to mining areas and connect to Bolivia and Argentina. Local buses and taxis run between main attractions within the city.
