Essentials
- City
- La Serena, Elqui Province, Coquimbo Region, Chile
- Population
- Approximately 250,000 (Greater La Serena-Coquimbo: 500,000)
- Internet Speed
- High (Mundo and VTR offer fiber optic up to 1 Gbps, average 150-200 Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- Chilean Peso (CLP). 1 USD ≈ 970 CLP; 1 EUR ≈ 1,050 CLP
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, but high mineral content (many prefer bottled or filtered water)
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and Type L sockets
- SIM Card
- Entel (best coverage), WOM (best data deals), Movistar. Local SIM approx. $5,000 CLP
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Santander, Banco de Chile, and digital apps like Mach or Tenpo for easy local payments
- Accommodation
- Monthly rentals via Airbnb, PortalInmobiliario, or Facebook Marketplace (Gatos con Botas group)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, 'Redcompra' (debit/credit) is accepted almost everywhere, including small kiosks
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com (Average $45,000 - $70,000 CLP per night for beach apartments)
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostal El Punto (approx. $22,000 CLP/night) located on Andrés Bello 979
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Avenida del Mar (beachfront) for lifestyle and scenery
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- San Joaquín (upscale, quiet) or Avenida del Mar (high-speed fiber access in modern towers)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Cowork Serena (Juan Soldado 390) - approx. $12,000 CLP/day
- Best Cafe for Work
- Café del Patio (Prat 470) or Starbucks (Mall Plaza La Serena) for reliable Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- Meetups hosted by Hub Coquimbo or events at the Universidad de La Serena
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations La Serena groups or language exchange meetups at local bars like Cervecería Independent
Other Services and Amenities
- Table Tennis Spots
- Polideportivo Las Compañías
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Starken and ChilePost (CorreosChile)
- Tech Repair Services
- Re-Suelto (Mall Plaza) for iPhone/Android repairs
- Language Classes
- Tronwell (Mall Plaza) or private tutors via Superprof Chile
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Regional Gabriela Mistral (Juan José Latorre 782) - stunning modern workspace
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural Palace in Coquimbo (short bus ride away)
- Gaming Lounges
- Geek Coffee La Serena for board games and retro gaming
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Enjoy Coquimbo (located on the border of La Serena/Coquimbo)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (most common), DiDi, and Cabify
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bici-Ruta (Avenida del Mar) - approx. $10,000 CLP for 4 hours
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Totoralillo (15 mins south) for surfing and crystal water
- Top Regional Airline
- LATAM, JetSmart, and Sky Airline
- Top International Airline
- LATAM (via Santiago SCL connection)
- Highway Access
- Ruta 5 (Pan-American Highway) runs through the city
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal de Buses La Serena (Amunátegui s/n) connects to all of Chile
- Public Transport Passes
- Cash-based 'Colectivos' (fixed-route taxis) approx. $800 - $1,200 CLP
- Regional Travel
- Turbus and Pullman Bus for high-quality long-distance travel
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Clínica Elqui (Los Carrera 730) for private/international standard care
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Espacio Indigo (Avenida Estadio) - offer Hatha and Vinyasa classes
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Pacific Fitness (Mall Plaza) or Sportlife (Avenida del Mar) - approx. $35,000 CLP/month
- Laundry Services
- ProntoMatic (located in most supermarkets like Lider) and Lavandería La Burbuja
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa and UberEats
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Papaya al Jugo (local specialty) and Empanadas de Marisco in Peñuelas
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Govinda’s (Colón 642) - affordable Hare Krishna vegetarian lunches
- Best Dessert Spots
- Huentelauquén (Av. del Mar) - famous for Papaya-based cheesecakes
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- La Recova Market for sweets and local crafts; Feria de Abastos for cheap produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- MercadoLibre (fast shipping), Falabella.com, and Paris.cl
- Grocery Delivery
- Jumbo App (best quality) or Lider.cl
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Avenida del Mar and Barrio Inglés in neighboring Coquimbo
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Independent (Avenida del Mar 2500)
- Wine Bars
- La Vinoteca (San Joaquín area) for premium Elqui Valley Syrahs
- Street Food Stalls
- Churros on Avenida del Mar and 'Completo' stands near the Plaza de Armas
- Popular International Cuisine
- New Tokyo (Sushi) and Ayawaska (Peruvian fusion in Peñuelas)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- El Faro Monumental (Lighthouse) and the Japanese Garden (Kokoro No Niwa)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo Arqueológico de La Serena (Calle Cordovez) - features a Moai statue
- Historical Sites
- The 29 stone churches of the city center (Iglesia de San Francisco)
- Religious Sites
- Catedral de La Serena (Plaza de Armas)
- Annual Events
- La Serena Song Festival (February) and Fiestas Patrias (September 18th)
- Cultural Districts
- Historic Center (National Monument) with colonial/neo-colonial architecture
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Municipal de La Serena
- Local Markets
- La Recova (Calle Cienfuegos) - center for traditional food and crafts
- Music Scene
- Live jazz and rock at Bar de Luca in the city center
- Street Art
- Murals on the border between La Serena and Coquimbo near the port
- Cooking Classes
- Local workshops offered at Inacap La Serena or private Pisco sour classes
- Art Galleries
- Galería de Arte Universidad de La Serena
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio Consistorial and the old Train Station (Estación de Trenes)
- Local Heritage
- Diaguita culture indigenous influences and the Pisco production legacy
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Elqui Valley (45 mins away) - world-renowned for stargazing and pisco
- National Parks Nearby
- Fray Jorge National Park (1 hour south) - a cloud forest in the desert
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Avenida del Mar ciclovía (6km coastal path)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de la Universidad de La Serena for a full city view
- Birdwatching Locations
- Humedal del Río Elqui (Elqui River Wetland) near the lighthouse
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Controlled areas in private campgrounds in Elqui Valley (e.g., Camping El Sauce)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 2,200 UF ($84,000,000 CLP) for 35 m² ($2,400,000 CLP per m²)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 1,800 UF ($69,000,000 CLP) for 35 m² ($1,970,000 CLP per m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 2,800 UF ($107,000,000 CLP) for 50 m² ($2,140,000 CLP per m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 2,300 UF ($88,000,000 CLP) for 50 m² ($1,760,000 CLP per m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 3,800 UF ($145,000,000 CLP) for 75 m² ($1,930,000 CLP per m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,100 UF ($118,000,000 CLP) for 75 m² ($1,570,000 CLP per m²)
- Corporate Tax
- 27% for large companies; 25% for SMEs (Pro-Pyme regime)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 35% (with tax credits usually available for 65% of corporate tax paid)
- Tax System
- Resident-based taxation (worldwide income after 3 years of residency)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 40% (Global Complementario scale)
- VAT
- 19% standard rate
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to passive income from abroad
- Property Tax
- Contribuciones (Quarterly, based on tax assessment values above exemption threshold)
- Property Transaction Tax
- No direct sales tax, but registration fees and notary costs approx. 1-1.5% of value
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Foreigners exempt from tax on foreign source income for the first 3 years of living in Chile