The view
City and ocean.
Heretiq — CC BY-SA 2.5 · Jowyto — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Alejandroven — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Capablazab — CC BY-SA 3.0
A towering rock headland rising about 139 metres above the city of Arica and its port, with a near-vertical face dropping to the Pacific, the emblem of Chile's northernmost city near the Peruvian border. It saw a famous battle of the War of the Pacific in 1880 and is now a national historic monument. Visitors climb a zigzag stepped path from the edge of town in about half an hour, or drive to the top. On the summit is a broad terrace with old cannons and a giant flag, plus a small history and arms museum telling the story of the battle. The summit's best feature is the view: the flat city grid, the port and its ships, ocean beaches stretching south, and the green Azapa valley inland between desert hills. Sunset over the ocean is beautiful here. Arica is called the «city of eternal spring» for its mild climate all year. The northern desert sun is very strong even on hazy days, so carry water, a hat and sunscreen.
City and ocean.
The battle's story.
Over the Pacific.
Southern edge of central Arica, above the port
On foot by a zigzag stepped path from the centre in about half an hour, or by car or taxi to the top.