The dune
A dragon's back.
Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Paodurang — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Freddy Alexander Bugueño Tolmo — CC BY-SA 3.0
A huge sand dune stretching kilometres right behind the city of Iquique, between the houses and the desert plateau, as if the desert were hugging the city. It is called «Dragon Hill» because its long line of crests looks like a sleeping dragon's back, and it is now a nature sanctuary. Its crests give a unique view: the city's white towers and beaches below, the Pacific stretching to the horizon and golden sand sloping down to the streets. Sunset is magical as the sand turns orange. Visitors come for sandboarding in the permitted areas and for photos. Iquique is one of the world's best-known paragliding spots, so colourful canopies launch from the plateau above the dune and land on the beach. Parts of the dune are protected and closed, so keep to permitted routes, and go with a tour or guide for sandboarding. The northern desert sun is very strong even on hazy days, so carry water, a hat and sunscreen.
A dragon's back.
Permitted areas.
Over the city.
East of Iquique, between the city and the Alto Hospicio plateau
Yes, in permitted parts only, as the dune is a nature sanctuary; going with a tour or guide is best.