Essentials
- City
- Arica, Arica y Parinacota Region, Chile
- Population
- Approximately 221,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 150-200 Mbps (Fiber available via Movistar and VTR)
- Currency & Banking
- Chilean Peso (CLP). 1 USD ≈ 970 CLP, 1 EUR ≈ 1,050 CLP
- Tap Water
- Technically drinkable but very high mineral content; locals and nomads prefer bottled or filtered water.
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and Type L sockets
- SIM Card
- Entel (best coverage), WOM (best data rates), and Movistar. Available at Mallplaza Arica.
- Banking for Expats
- Banco de Crédito e Inversiones (BCI), Santander Chile, and digital apps like Mach or Falabella.
- Accommodation
- Apartments via Airbnb and local groups like 'Arriendos Arica'. Monthly rates: $450 - $900 USD.
- Cashless Friendly
- Highly friendly; 'Transbank' terminals (Redcompra) accepted in almost all shops and restaurants.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com (focus on Chinchorro or Lizera areas).
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostal Sunny Days (approx. $25/night) located on Tomas Aravena 161.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Chinchorro Beach area for summer vibes or the Historic Center for proximity to Morro de Arica.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Chinchorro (proximity to cafes/beach) or the 'Magisterio' neighborhood (quiet and safe).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Cowork Arica (located at Sotomayor 455). Approx. $15 USD per day / $140 USD per month.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cafe del Mar (Chinchorro) or Cafe La Bikina (General Lagos 400). Reliable WiFi and quiet mornings.
- Networking Events
- Waki Labs tech meetups and events hosted by Corfo (Center for Entrepreneurship).
- Social Events for Expats
- Surfing lessons at Escuela de Surf Akua; networking often happens informally at Mojito's Beach Bar.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber is widely available; DiDi is a popular cheaper alternative.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Ruta Norte (around $15-20 USD/day) near Chinchorro beach.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa La Lisera (calm waters) and Playa Chinchorro (surfing and walking).
- Top Regional Airline
- LATAM Airlines and SKY Airline (low-cost).
- Top International Airline
- LATAM (connecting via Santiago) or JetSmart for regional South American hops.
- Highway Access
- Ruta 5 (Pan-American Highway) connects north to Peru and south to Iquique.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal Rodoviario Arica (Diego Portales 948) for long-distance buses; Tacna-Arica Railway Station for Peru.
- Public Transport Passes
- Collectivos (shared taxis with fixed routes) costing approx. $1.00 USD (800-1000 CLP) per ride.
- Regional Travel
- Buses to San Pedro de Atacama (10 hours) or cross-border shared taxis to Tacna, Peru (1 hour).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Dr. Juan Noé (Public) or Clínica Arica (Private, Camino Azapa 100).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Centro de Yoga Ananda (Baquedano 580) - classes approx. $8 USD.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Pacific Fitness (Mallplaza Arica). Monthly membership approx. $45 USD.
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería New York (18 de Septiembre 1146). Price approx. $10 USD per load.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa and UberEats.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Picante de Guatitas or Pastel de Choclo. Visit 'El Rey del Marisco'.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Govinda's (vegetarian Indian influences) at Bolognesi 400.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Heladería Dimango (famous local ice cream on 21 de Mayo).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Terminal Agropecuario Arica (huge market for fresh produce at local prices).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Falabella.com and Mercado Libre Chile.
- Grocery Delivery
- Lider (Walmart subsidiary) and Jumbo (via Cornershop app).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Paseo 21 de Mayo (Downtown) and the Chinchorro Beach strip.
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería La Sante (local craft beers found in beachside bars).
- Wine Bars
- Viñedos de Azapa (Taverns in the Azapa Valley area).
- Street Food Stalls
- Empanadas at the entrance of Terminal Agropecuario. Approx. $2 USD.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Muya (Peruvian-Chilean fusion) and Maracuyá (Upscale seafood).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Morro de Arica (giant cliff overlooking the city) and San Marcos Cathedral (Eiffel design).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo Arqueológico San Miguel de Azapa (home to the Chinchorro Mummies).
- Historical Sites
- Ex-Aduana (former custom house) and the Chinchorro Mummy viewing sites (Colón 10).
- Religious Sites
- Catedral de San Marcos de Arica (Sotomayor 71).
- Annual Events
- Carnaval con la Fuerza del Sol (January/February) - Chile's largest dance festival.
- Cultural Districts
- Barrio Histórico (Downtown Arica).
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Municipal de Arica (Baquedano 231).
- Local Markets
- Feria Dominical (Sunday open-air market on Chacabuco street).
- Music Scene
- Andean folk music venues and nightclubs like 'Soho' on Chinchorro beach.
- Street Art
- Murals reflecting Andean culture along Avenida Máximo Lira.
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at Duoc UC or private classes in the Azapa Valley.
- Art Galleries
- Casa del Tumbe (cultural center for Afro-Chilean art).
- Historic Buildings
- Casa de la Cultura (Alfredo Raiteri).
- Local Heritage
- The Chinchorro culture (the oldest mummies in the world).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Valle de Azapa and Valle de Lluta (agricultural oases in the desert).
- National Parks Nearby
- Lauca National Park (3 hours away, high altitude, includes Chungará Lake).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Coastal path from Ex-Isla Alacrán to Chinchorro Beach.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Summit of Morro de Arica at sunset.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Humedal del Río Lluta (Lluta River Wetland) near the northern exit of the city.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Playa Las Machas (designated wild areas, check local regulations).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Starken and ChilePost (CorreosChile).
- Tech Repair Services
- PC Arica (General Lagos 700 block).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Complejo Deportivo Epicentro (Public sports hall).
- Language Classes
- Universidad de Tarapacá (Spanish courses for foreigners).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal de Arica (Baquedano 351).
- Community Centers
- DIDECO Arica (Civic events centrally located).
- Gaming Lounges
- Local 'Ciber' cafes in the city center like Ciber Arica.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Arica (General Velásquez 95).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,100 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = $73,500 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = $56,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = $100,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = $75,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,850 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = $138,750 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = $105,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 27% (General Regime) or 10-25% for small businesses (PRO PYME).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 35% (often with credits from corporate tax paid).
- Tax System
- Residency-based; residents are taxed on worldwide income after 3 years.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 40%
- VAT
- 19% (IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to Chilean residents with foreign passive income.
- Property Tax
- Yes, 'Contribuciones', based on fiscal valuation.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Not a flat tax, but includes notary and registration fees (approx. 1%).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- New 'Digital Nomad Visa' allows tax-free foreign income for up to 2 years.