What to do and see in La Serena, Coquimbo Region: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

April 1, 2022 Mikaela Didonna

Discover the best top things to do in La Serena, Chile including Ecoturismo La Serena, Enchanted Valley (Valle del Encanto), Valle del Elqui, Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, Punta Choros, Jardin del Corazon, Catedral De San Bartolome De La Serena, Valle del Elqui, Plaza de Armas, Iglesia Santo Domingo.
Restaurants in La Serena

1. Ecoturismo La Serena

Excellent
82%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 238 reviews

Ecoturismo La Serena

We are a tour operator established in La Serena, Chile. Moreover, we have a reliable staff of fluent English speaking guides, as well as a very modern fleet of safety and comfortable vehicles driven by knowledgeable drivers.

2. Enchanted Valley (Valle del Encanto)

Ovalle, La Serena Chile (53) 620 068 http://www.ovallito.cl/encanto
Excellent
53%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 112 reviews

Enchanted Valley (Valle del Encanto)

Discovered in 1946, this National Historic Monument is filled with petroglyphs and fossils.

Reviewed By ch812 - Washington DC, United States

What a stunning little site. We were met warmly at the main entrance at the top of the hill and after paying CP2800 for our entry and the car, we drove down in to the little valley to start looking around. We were given a map in English and Spanish. After about 20 minutes of walking we bumped into a guide and a guide in training who then spent the next two and a half hours guiding us around in English (and picking up other visitors as we went). Having the guides really added to our experience and understanding of this amazing site, although the petroglyphs etc are all marked with arrows and numbers. amazing to think for 4000 years people have been coming here Once the sun came out it got very hot and you needed water. There were clean porta potties in the park.

3. Valle del Elqui

La Serena Chile +56 51 245 1917 http://www.valledeelqui.cl
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,418 reviews

Valle del Elqui

This beautifully landscaped valley is rumored to be linked with extraterrestrial activity throughout the years.

Reviewed By ronnyjd0509 - Antwerp, Belgium

What a place! Extremely nice and such clear skies to watch the stars and the galaxies! Awesome! We enjoyed mountain-biking and some walk in the valley. The small village of Alcohuaz is highly recommended and as wine you must taste Rhu! Unique.

4. Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory

Colina El Pino s/n Casilla 603, La Serena Chile (011)-56-51-2205200 http://www.ctio.noao.edu/
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 95 reviews

Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory

Reviewed By judythr

This was a remarkably informative experience. I was lucky to be on a Spanish/English tour because I got to hear everything twice. So much to take in! Kadur has worked at Tololo since he was 23 (maybe in his 50's now). He beams with enthusiasm when sharing in depth about the telescope, the recent developments in astronomy....all of it. Though it was a day-time experience, I learned far more than at the Pangue Observatory. Tololo may become outdated because of the soon-to-be-completed observatory near Antofagasta. But I found the tour to be fascinating!

5. Punta Choros

La Serena Chile +56 51 221 8970 http://www.turismopuntadechoros.cl
Excellent
60%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 598 reviews

Punta Choros

6. Jardin del Corazon

Avenida Francisco De Aguirre 350 Horarios de atención., La Serena 1710132 Chile 5651217013 http://turismoregiondecoquimbo.cl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Desplegable-Jard%C3%ADn-Japon%C3%A9s.pdf
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 690 reviews

Jardin del Corazon

Reviewed By nicolineb466 - Roosendaal, The Netherlands

Well what a surprise,to find this beautiful Japanse garden in La Serena. Very quiet too! If you have time,it’s a must see! Entrance fee very cheap too! We had a lovely day and had a lovely walk through this botanical garden????

7. Catedral De San Bartolome De La Serena

Gregorio Cordovez 327, La Serena 1710116 Chile +56 51 221 6956 [email protected] http://www.arzobispadodelaserena.cl/
Excellent
45%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 224 reviews

Catedral De San Bartolome De La Serena

Reviewed By midwaytoheaven - Midway, United States

The exterior of this moderate Cathedral is currently in the midst of having its exterior restored, Even with that happening, we loved stopping here on a Sunday to take a quick look of the interior. It is not over-the-top like many European Cathedrals but is more simple, yet beautiful. It features many gorgeous stained glass windows. BOTTOM LINE: This church is easy to find because it is located directly across the street from the main city plaza, Plaza de Armas. The construction began on this church in 1844 and dedicated twelve years later. The massive front doors are amazing. The Cathedral is named after San Bartolome who is the patron saint of La Serena. MY RATING: 8/10

8. Valle del Elqui

el Valle se extiende durante toda la carretera, La Serena Chile +56 9 9127 9095
Excellent
77%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 180 reviews

Valle del Elqui

9. Plaza de Armas

La Serena Chile http://www.laserena.cl
Excellent
30%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 413 reviews

Plaza de Armas

This 450 year old, tree-shaded park is known locally as the Parque de Potos (Park of Bare Behinds), for its many nude greek statues.

Reviewed By midwaytoheaven - Midway, United States

We took a nice stroll thru this beautiful city plaza. In the center of the plaza is quite a nice fountain and pool with several statues. We were here on a Sunday and it was very quiet considering the unrest the area around it has experienced over the past few months with governmental protests. You can see splattered protest paint on most of the civic buildings, statues, banks and businesses around the square. Very said to see. BOTTOM LINE: I the plaza we say families enjoying time together. Some local vendors were selling items there also. The plaza is directly across from the La Serena Cathedral. Overall the square was nicely landscaped and was quietly patrolled by police officers. We thought is was very nice city park. MY RATING: 8/10.

10. Iglesia Santo Domingo

Plaza de Armas, La Serena Chile
Excellent
33%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 58 reviews

Iglesia Santo Domingo

This church in the southwest corner of the city dates back to the 1700's.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.