La Serena Traveler Essentials
- Safety rating
- 7.2/10
- Best time to visit
- December to March is peak beach season with warm, sunny days. The clear skies make any time good for astronomy tours.
- Population
- 0.2M
Overview
Chile's second-oldest city charms with neocolonial architecture, long sandy beaches, and clear skies ideal for stargazing. It's the gateway to the lush Elqui Valley, famed for pisco and observatories.
Getting around
The compact historic centre is walkable, and buses or taxis reach the beachfront and Coquimbo. A car helps for the Elqui Valley.
Local etiquette
Enjoy the relaxed pace and respect the clear-sky observatories by minimizing light pollution. Locals are warm and easygoing.
Safety
La Serena is fairly safe, with petty theft the main concern on crowded summer beaches. Take normal precautions at night.