Arica Cruise Port
Arica, Chile · South America
Cruise ships dock at Puerto de Arica — Cruise Berths (TPA), Arica.
Plan my port daysCompact commercial port right next to downtown. Plaza Colón, El Morro and the Chinchorro mummy site are walkable; the Azapa Valley museum, the southern beaches and the Lluta Valley need a taxi, colectivo or tour.
At a glance
Port summary
Cruise ships berth inside the Puerto de Arica, a working cargo port run by Terminal Puerto Arica (TPA) that also handles much of Bolivia's trade. You can't walk across the quay, so a free shuttle runs from the gangway to the port gate and the Centro Turístico Integral, a welcome centre renovated in 2026 with Wi-Fi, toilets and a regional craft fair. From the gate it's 10–15 minutes on flat streets to Plaza Colón, where the iron Catedral de San Marcos (prefabricated by Gustave Eiffel's workshops) and the former customs house stand. El Morro, the 139-metre headland that towers over the city, rises right behind: a stepped path from the end of Calle Colón climbs to the top in 20–30 minutes, with a free War of the Pacific museum and sweeping views. At its foot the Museo de Sitio Colón 10 shows Chinchorro burials left where they were found, part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the world's oldest artificially mummified bodies. The pedestrian Paseo 21 de Mayo and the Mercado Central are a few blocks inland. Further out, the Museo Arqueológico San Miguel de Azapa, with the finest Chinchorro collection, is 12 km inland (20–25 minutes by taxi, or a colectivo from Chacabuco and Patricio Lynch); the calm southern beaches of El Laucho and La Lisera are a 20–25 minute walk; the sea caves of Cuevas de Anzota are 15 minutes south by taxi. Lauca National Park and Lago Chungará lie at 4,500 m, about three hours' drive away: only go on the ship's tour, and take altitude sickness seriously. Arica almost never sees rain and stays at 18–26 °C all year, but the desert sun is fierce. Chile uses the peso (CLP): get pesos from an ATM in town, as US dollars are rarely accepted.
Cruise dock
Puerto de Arica — Cruise Berths (TPA)
Cruise ships berth alongside the quays of the Puerto de Arica, a working cargo port operated by Terminal Puerto Arica (TPA). A free shuttle runs to the port gate on Avenida Máximo Lira, 10–15 minutes' walk from Plaza Colón.
Latitude: -18.473949, Longitude: -70.323553
See dock on port map →Getting to Arica
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Withdraw a modest amount of pesos ($20,000–40,000 CLP) for museums, colectivos, taxis and markets; use cards for meals and shopping.
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Inside the South America collection
Here's a peek at everything waiting for your Arica cruise day.
Typical weather
Emergency & contacts
Excursions compared
4 comparedArica highlights: El Morro, Eiffel's cathedral and the Chinchorro site
≈ 3.5 h · sold by 3 cruise lines
Cruise line
€80$90
Do it yourself
€10$11
Save ≈ €70Save ≈ $78 (88% off)
Take the free port shuttle to the gate on Avenida Máximo Lira, then walk 10–15 minutes on flat streets to Plaza Colón. Museo de Sitio Colón 10 (Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00, $2,000 CLP ≈ €2) is at the foot of El Morro; the stepped path from the end of Calle Colón climbs to the summit in 20–30 minutes, and the Museo Histórico y de Armas at the top is free (Tue–Sun 10:00–20:00). A taxi up the paved road (~$3,000–4,000 CLP) replaces the climb for anyone who can't manage the steps.
See the DIY plan →
Chinchorro culture: Azapa Valley mummy museum and geoglyphs
≈ 4 h · sold by 3 cruise lines
Cruise line
€90$101
Do it yourself
€13$15
Save ≈ €77Save ≈ $86 (86% off)
Shuttle to the port gate, then walk 10 minutes to the corner of Chacabuco and Patricio Lynch, where Azapa Valley colectivos (shared taxis, cash) leave for the museum for about $2,000 CLP (≈ €2) each way; tell the driver 'Museo'. The museum is open Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00, entry $2,000 CLP; the Cerro Sagrado geoglyphs are visible on the hillside from the valley road. Uber or a taxi (~$12,000–15,000 CLP one way) is the fallback if a colectivo doesn't come.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
9 plansEiffel, El Morro and the Old Port — for Free
Eiffel's iron cathedral, the 1880 battle headland and a sea-lion-watching causeway — without spending a peso.
The Oldest Mummies on Earth: Colón 10 and Azapa
Burials left where they were found, then the world's oldest artificial mummies in an olive-grove museum — for under €10.
Desert Meets Ocean: El Morro to the Cuevas de Anzota
Climb the Morro, walk the southern beaches and finish on a cliff trail through wind-carved sea caves.
Flavours of Arica: Olives, Markets and Pisco Sours
Taste Azapa olives and desert-grown mangoes at the big farmers' market, meet the weavers of the craft village, finish with seafood and a pisco sour.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Arica?
- Your ship docks directly at the Arica cruise terminal in Chile.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Arica?
- Yes. Arica is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Arica centre?
- Typical options include Shuttle bus, On foot, Taxi, Other transport, Ride-hail (Uber/Bolt), Local bus. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Arica?
- Plan for at least 3 hours ashore to see Arica independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Arica and are cards accepted?
- Arica uses the Chilean peso. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the Arica cruise terminal.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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