Places to visit in La Serena

THE 30 BEST Things to Do in La Serena, Chile

Places to Visit in La Serena

Check out must-see sights and activities:
Isla Damas, Avenida del Mar, Beaches, Cultural Tours. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Book these experiences for a close-up look at La Serena.

Top Attractions in La Serena

These rankings are informed by Tripadvisor data—we consider traveller reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.

What travellers are saying

  • Renato M
    Santiago, Chile54 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    After a short sail you can visit this island. A walk on the trails end to end takes about one hour. Beautiful views of white sand beaches and rocks. After this visit, they took us to Isla Choros, where we saw penguins, sea wolves and several different birds from the boat. The whole trip was about 2 hours, bring warm clothes. Price was about 15 US dollars, a real bargain.
    Written 18 May 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Heidi H
    Twin Falls, ID21 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    And you can use the fun exercise equipment all along the path. As with most of Chile, you are never alone, a friendly perro will tag along. ;)
    Written 28 June 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Javiera M
    Alexandria, VA8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I wanted to do something different for my birthday, so my boyfriend and I decided to visit Punta de Choros as we were staying in La Serena for a couple of days.

    It was a 1 hour and 45 minutes drive from La Serena. The landscape during the roadtrip was beautiful, we were lucky enough to see some wild foxes and guanacos. There are signs that indicate that “people are not allowed to feed wild animals.” So, if you see some animals, do not feed them, please; and, if you see people feeding them, ask them nicely not to do it.

    When we got to Punta de Choros, we had lunch at a place near the bay. Food was very affordable and delicious. I ordered a crab cake and a crab empanada, as a crab lover I would rank this place as one of the most generous in crab cake making, as my crab cake was full of crab and cheese (they also added carrot and onions; if I had known, I would’ve asked to take those ingredients out, but it was delicious anyway).

    There are only a few places that accept credit or debit card, so I strongly suggest to carry some money to pay for your spendings (food, water, etc).

    Unfortunately, we couldn’t get to the trip to Isla Damas, as we got late for the last boat. Instead, we went to the beach. The sand was white, the ocean was refreshing, and the beach wasn’t as crowded as in La Serena.

    I strongly recommend this place for friends, family, and couples.
    Written 22 February 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rudi Rudi
    Washington DC, DC2,086 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I was staying Las Serena following suggestions from the LONELY PLANET guide. Yes, I know I could Google such things, but I enjoy a hand held book.
    Just a quick warning. There are two entrances. No Uber driver could find me. And very few Uber driver's speak English. This lead to a great deal of frustration and gave me the opportunity to explore on foot.
    There is a grand earthy staircase on the hillside of the garden. This is easy access to and from town.
    There was parking and an entrance fee.
    I was delightfully surprise to find a Japanese garden in the middle of a town in Chile.
    There was many local residents a.k.a. ducks. It was a great place to collect my thoughts and enjoy a chilly day in Chile.
    Look for signs to stay on the walk way and off the grass.
    My favorite part was the green house.
    I would return here again.
    Written 28 March 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Nathan Dove
    64 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Valle del Equi is worth the 2 1/2 hour bus ride from La Serena, however, ensure you travel on a Friday or Saturday as the towns in the Valle are much more lively. Mon to Thur, a lot of shops and restaurants close early or are not even open. I recommend hiring bikes and riding around the Valle; there is a tourist info shop that hires bikes for approx. 40,000Cl and drops you off at the top of the Valle and allows you to ride down. It's a nice bike ride back, takes approx. 2 hours and that includes stops at a winery and two distilleries. If you want to stay local, there are other places that hire bikes for cheaper and multiple hostels to choose from.
    Written 10 September 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • southern o
    San Vicente de Tagua Tagua, Chile43 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It is quite bizarre to come across a small rainforest on the edge of semi arid desert! From the dry heat to instantly walking into clouded forest seems completely surreal. I think I liked it! Worth the trip anyway, although I wouldn't travel more than a couple of hours to see it.
    Written 7 March 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Andy keen
    Birmingham, UK1,703 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What a lovely walk along the front.
    We did 6 miles each way with stops for coffee and cake and some coloured water .!
    Lots to see on an interesting walk
    Written 17 April 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Andy keen
    Birmingham, UK1,703 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We arrived via ship and had a lovely walk from Coquimbo along the coast
    into La Serena passing some brilliant ethnic markets and stopping for coffee and cake at a beach side bar.
    The markets we walked thru were more interesting than this very touristic
    market.
    If you are in La Serena walk down to Coquimbo....if you are in Coquimbo walk up to this market.............
    We were told all sorts of distances by T I and locals,......it is actually there and back a very easy 12 miles with plenty to see and bars to take refreshment.....or walk up...6 miles then taxi back...around $6
    Written 17 April 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • RandyRoss
    Ridgetown, Canada12,803 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We stopped here to do a bit of shopping on the way back from our tour of the Elqui Valley. It was a nice peaceful stop to do a bit of tourist shopping but 20 minutes would have been enough here.
    Written 1 April 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Luan strattmann
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    please i need assistence to go to la silla, no have car, from la serena in jully 1 st 2023

    any help ? i
    Written 17 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Cris H
    Pittsburgh, PA902 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    beautiful structure from the outside but it's very similar to other churches in teh area, the difference is when you get inside. It is really well lighted and the ceiling is stunning. The alcoves are interesting and unique and it's a quiet haven from the bustle outside. I loved the time spent in here taking a moment to be thankful for all we have. The history of the area is also super interesting to learn here.
    Written 20 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Aimee S
    Bourne, UK440 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Your opportunity to see an Easter island statue up close and it's free! There's a few interesting bits, but no English commentary
    Written 17 November 2015
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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