Museo Arqueologico: An excellent museum, located in the Azapa Valley, is "one of Chile's best" (Rough Guide). Offers a superbly presented collection of exhibits on local culture from the 7th century BC to the Spanish invasion. The highlight, however, is the display of four Chinchorro mummies, of a man, a woman, and two children, buried over 4,000 years ago. The Azapa Valley also features several geoglyphs, large, stylized human figures.

Museo Historico y de Armas: Located at the top of El Morro, likely Arica's most prominent feature: a 110-meter-high cliff which marks the end of the coastal cordillera. Steps leading to the top start at the southern end of Calle Colon, and once at the summit, you'll find spectacular panoramic views (especially beautiful at night). The Museo (daily: March-Nov. 8am-8pm; Dec-Feb 8am-10pm; 254-091; US$0.80) commemorates a notable Chilean-Peruvian battle during the War of the Pacific.

Iglesia San Marcos: An lovely white church located in the Plaza Colon. An intriguing church, preconstructed in France by Gustave Eiffel before being erected in Arica in 1876. In San Miguel de Azapa , a nearby village, has one key point of interest: a wonderfully colorful desert cemetary, which crawls upwards towards a dune-like cliff.

Luckily, in Arica, the Pacific is warm enough for bathing, making it one of Chile's best beach resorts.
Watch out for the strong ocean currents, however. Most beaches are found south of town, along Av Comandante San Martin.
Playa El Laucho is closest, a rounded and sandy cove. For attractive an uncrowded beaches, try Playa La Lisera and Playa Brava. At Playa Chinchorro, two km north of the center, you can rent jet skiis in high season (Dec-March). This beach is also suitable for swimming and diving. Here, you will also find Arica's Olympic-size swimming pool (Tues-Sun: Jan and Feb 3-6:30pm, March-Dec 9am-2pm).
Playa las Machas, several km north, offers ideal opportunities for surfing and fishing, though it is too rough for swimming. For fishing permits, contact the Servicio Nacional de Pesca (Serano 1856).

Parque Nacional Lauca: To experience in miniature the altiplano, the high, arid plateau in Norte Grande, visit this park, located at the foot of a paved highway, just four hours from the city. Parque Nacional Lauca features snow-capped volcanoes, unspoiled lakes, sun-baked villages and wild vicuna.

In Parque Nacional Lauca: Situated in a dark lava field, the Lagunas de Cotacotani are a group of small, interconnected lakes which make for an excellent day hike. Their emerald green color is eye-catching, and the surrounding volcanic dust adds to the site's lunar appearance. These lakes are home to wildlife such as Andean geese, and alpaca flocks enjoy the wet marshland grasses. While Lauca doesn't offer a much in the way of hiking, there are a multitude of walks and climbs available.
Cerro Choquelimpie: 5288m, no experience necessary, about a four hour climb. Cerro Guane Guane: 5096m, gradual climb, offers panoramic views at summit.

Three or four companies offer tours up to Parque Nacional Lauca. Most offer day trips, which can make for a sometimes unpleasantly rushed visit, given the rapid altitude changes. An alternative is to take a tour which includes an overnight stop in Putre. Geotours: Bolognesi 421. Professionals offering primarily one-day tours. Latinorizons: Bolognesi 449 and Thompson 236. A very dependable, friendly Belgian-run company offering various altiplano tours for the more adventuros. Parinacota Expediciones: Prat 430. An experienced tour company offering trips to Parque Nacional Lauca, including day trips, a overnight trip stopping in Putre, and a two-night tour of Salar de Surire.