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| La Serena | ||
| region | Región de Coquimbo | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 195.382 (2017) | |
| height | 28 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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The town La Serena, located on the Pacific, is the most popular travel destination of the so-called Little NorthChile. The colonial old town, the many beaches, the charming valleys in the area and the pleasant climate attract hundreds of thousands of travelers to the lively 200,000-inhabitant regional metropolis every summer.
Together with the neighboring port city Coquimbo it forms the largest conurbation in the northern part of the country, which has a total of around 400,000 inhabitants. Despite the name, La Serena, and not Coquimbo, is the capital of the Región de Coquimbo.
background
La Serena is one of the oldest cities in southern South America. It is controversial among historians whether it was founded in 1543 or 1544. What is certain is that its first centuries were very turbulent. It was destroyed for the first time in a conflict with the indigenous people in 1548. She was to suffer this fate several times, as the English and pirates (the "corsaires") paid by them were also interested in her. It was also hit by an earthquake in 1730, which largely destroyed it. However, it was quickly rebuilt each time, and in 1700 it was fortified.
From 1840, La Serena became an important trading metropolis after iron ore mining began in the area. In the 1940s and 1950s, the mayor of the time specifically promoted the construction of new colonial buildings in the center, which were lined up with the existing colonial buildings. This plan (Serena's plan) the city owes its uniform old town largely without modern high-rise buildings.
Today La Serena is best known as a holiday center.
getting there
By plane
The airport La Florida is close to Santiago de Chile tied up. It is only 6 kilometers east of the city center.
By train
By bus
The bus station offers connections all over the country. One trip from / to Santiago de Chile takes about 6 hours and costs 7,000 to 15,000 CLP.
In the street
La Serena is right on the Ruta CH-5 or Panamericana, which is expanded to the motorway in the direction of Santiago.
By boat
mobility
Local public transport is handled by buses.
Tourist Attractions
- Colonial old town. Not all buildings are really colonial, but La Serena has the largest old town in this style (Zona Típica) all over Chile.
- 1 cathedral.
In the neoclassical style. Built in 1846.
- Japanese botanical garden
- Beach with a lighthouse, about 3 km west of the city center. To be reached by taxi, colectivo or on foot.
activities
shop
There are 2 huge shopping centers right on Ruta 5. One in the north and one in the south of the city.
In the Eduardo de La Barra there are lots of small shops.
kitchen
Cheap
medium
Upscale
nightlife
As a university town, La Serena has an active nightlife all week. Especially in the Libertador Bernando O'Higgins and there are many pubs and clubs in the vicinity.
accommodation
As a popular travel destination, La Serena offers accommodation of all kinds, from cheap bed and breakfasts to luxury resorts (especially in the bays near Coquimbo).
Cheap
- Hostal "El Punto". 5 minutes from the bus terminal and the city center. Hostal run by a German couple. Offer rooms with shared / private bathrooms and a shared room. The breakfast is very varied and sufficient. The service staff is very courteous and can also help with booking excursions on request.
medium
Upscale
Learn
Work
security
health
Practical advice
trips
- Valle del Elqui. The Valle del Elqui is a colorful valley east of La Serena. It can be reached by buses or collectivos from the city center. It is mostly warm here, there are over 300 cloudless days a year. Many types of pisco are produced here. Amongst other things Alto de Carmen and mistral. Also, the Valle del Elqui is the bridge after Argentina (Province San Juan). However, the road is only a gravel road at the pass and has not yet provided any public transport.
- National Park Pinguino de Humboldt. On trips to the National Park Pingüino de Humboldt you have the opportunity to see penguins, dolphins, sea lions, cormorants and turtles, as well as an untouched flora on the Isla Damas to see. The journey on your own is difficult. Boats to the park only go from the small fishing village Choros from, about 120 km north of La Serena. However, 40 km of the road are unpaved. Various tour operators in La Serena offer day tours for CLP 25,000 including lunch.
- Bosque de Fray Jorge National Park. A UNESCO biosphere reserve. The accessible part is relatively small. A guide explaining the adaptations of the plants to the fog is recommended.
Web links
- http://www.laserena.cl - Official website of La Serena
