La Serena, Chile 🇨🇱
Nomad Score:
64%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | La Serena is a coastal city in northern Chile known for its beautiful beaches and historical heritage. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 200,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average of 50 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 800 CLP (Chilean Pesos) |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, but bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/I sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Entel, Movistar, and Claro with options from around CLP 5,000 for data plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Visa and Mastercard widely accepted, major banks include Banco Estado and Banco de Chile. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options available on Airbnb, Hostels, and local rentals. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely in most establishments. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local vacation rentals are popular and readily available. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Cultural and Inti Hotel offer affordable lodging options. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Impacto Coworking: Offers a vibrant place for remote work with good amenities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe Sol Del Pacifico: Known for great coffee and a relaxing atmosphere. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Monthly meetups organized by local expat groups and entrepreneurs. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like 'Expats in La Serena' host regular gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Cabify are widely used and reliable. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Local companies like La Serena Bikes offer rentals for exploring the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | La Playa El Faro, just 10 minutes from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Sky Airline for domestic travel. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | LATAM Airlines has various international routes. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to the Pan-American Highway for regional travel. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | La Serena Bus Terminal provides services for regional bus travel. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Buses are inexpensive; a single ride costs approximately CLP 500. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses available to nearby cities like Coquimbo and La Paz. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital de La Serena: Offers comprehensive healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga La Serena offers classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | SmartFit and Megasalud are popular gym options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavarapido offers wash and fold services around the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | PedidosYa is a widely used food delivery service. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Pastel de Choclo, a traditional corn pie. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Cafe Vegano offers an excellent selection of plant-based dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | El Hoyo Cafe for delicious pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercado La Serena offers fresh produce and local goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | MercadoLibre is a popular online shopping platform. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Cornershop is available for grocery delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Av. del Mar is the hotspot for nightlife and bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brew House is known for its craft beers and brewery tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | La Vinoteca offers a good selection of local wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Local food markets along Avenida del Mar are famous for street eats. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | La Costa offers Italian and seafood dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The historic Plaza de Armas and La Serena Cathedral. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museo Arqueológico de La Serena showcases local heritage. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Bamboo Palace, a beautiful example of local architecture. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Church of Santo Domingo is a notable historic site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Fiesta de La Virgen del Rosario in October; renowned local festival. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Barrio Inglés offers vibrant art and cultural history. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Municipal de La Serena hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | La Recova Market offers artisan crafts and local foods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music is common in bars along Av. del Mar. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Explore murals around the city, particularly in Plaza de Armas. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes at the Culinary Institute of La Serena offer traditional Chilean cuisine training. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galleria de Arte offers local artists' works. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Casa de La Cultura hosts cultural events and is a historical landmark. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The observatory near La Serena is a key location for astronomy-themed tourism. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Elqui Valley offers stunning scenery and outdoor activities. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Fray Jorge National Park known for its unique desert vegetation. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Coastal paths along Av. del Mar for biking and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Cerro Grande offers panoramic views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | La Serena's wetlands are great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas near Playa La Elipit where bonfires are allowed. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and CorreosChile provide reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | TechStyle offers device repair and assistance. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local parks like Parque Pedro de Valdivia have public table tennis tables. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Instituto Chileno and local community centers offer Spanish language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Pública de La Serena is a quiet study spot. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural La Serena hosts various community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game Over offers gaming facilities for consoles and PCs. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Enjoy games at Enjoy Casino in nearby Coquimbo. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CLP 2,500,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CLP 100,000,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CLP 1,800,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CLP 72,000,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CLP 2,800,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CLP 168,000,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CLP 2,300,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CLP 138,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CLP 3,000,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CLP 240,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CLP 2,500,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CLP 200,000,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 27% for corporations. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 35% on dividend distributions. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income taxable for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 40% for high earners. |
| 🧾 VAT | 19% standard VAT rate. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, CFC rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 1.5% on real estate transactions. |