🇨🇱 Arica,
Chile
#1333
Nomad Score
6.1
Coords
-18.4785288, -70.3211394
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ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 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
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 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. |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING ARICA