Iquique

Iquique (pronounced 'ee-KEE-kay') is a port city and commune in northern Chile, South America, lying on the Pacific coast.

Calle Baquedano features houses in the North American Georgian style, built between 1880 and 1920. The Museo Regional and the Palacio Astoreca can be found along this avenue.

There is a waterfront promenade stretching 4km from Playa Bellavista to Playa Huantajaya, lined with gardens, fountains and beaches, Playa Cavancha being one of the many popular stretches.

Puntilla del Marinero can be found at the northern end of the waterfront, and is the location of a massive, bronze statue in honour of the Navy.

Taxis are available to share or for private hire and are quicker than local buses. However, walking is a good way of accessing the beaches.

Further afield, located around a 45 minute drive away is Humberstone Saltpeter, a ghost town which has been preserved to show how life was before the collapse of the nitrate industry in the 1960's.

In the north part of the town, the duty-free zone Zofri can be found, it is in walking distance but it may be wise to use a taxi to visit.

Chilean cuisine combines traditional Spanish cuisine, Chilean Indigenous culture and local ingredients. Fresh fish and seafood and meats such like llama and alpaca are also popular in Northern Chile. However, there is a wide range of other cuisine available, from Italian and Japanese to Mediterranean and Spanish options.

Iquique cruise terminal is located around 5km from the centre of town.