---
title: "Arica Cruise Port"
url: https://cruisello.com/destinations/south-america/arica
description: "Chile's northernmost port, gateway to the Atacama"
---

# Arica

🇨🇱 · Chile · South America

> "Chile's northernmost port, gateway to the Atacama"

## At a Glance

- **Avg. Ships/Day:** 1
- **Avg. Time in Port:** 9.5h
- **Visiting Sailings:** 8
- **Cruise Lines:** 2

## Peak Season

Busiest months: Jan (4 sailings), Oct (4 sailings)

## About Arica

Arica sits on Chile's northern coast where the Pacific meets the Atacama Desert, and locals call it the City of Eternal Spring for its year-round mild weather. El Morro de Arica, a dramatic cliff with a military monument on top, is the city's most visible landmark and offers wide views of the coastline from the summit. The waterfront and nearby beaches have a relaxed coastal feel, and the port is close to the centre.

The San Marcos Cathedral, an iron structure designed by Gustave Eiffel's workshop and shipped from France in pieces, is a short walk from the port. The old customs house, also by Eiffel, now hosts a cultural centre. The Chinchorro mummies at the Museo de Sitio Colón 10 predate Egyptian mummies by thousands of years. Local markets sell olives, fresh fish, and Peruvian-influenced street food. Colectivos (shared taxis) are the cheapest way to get around town.

## Quick Facts

- **Currency:** CLP (Chilean Peso)
- **Language:** Spanish
- **Timezone:** America/Santiago (UTC-3)
- **Tipping:** 10% at restaurants

## Location

Coordinates: -18.4705, -70.3230

- [Open in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/cruise+terminal+Arica/@-18.47055,-70.32295,13z)
- [Open in Apple Maps](https://maps.apple.com/?q=cruise%20terminal%20Arica&ll=-18.47055,-70.32295&z=13)

## Things to Do in Arica

Top-rated shore excursions that fit a typical ~10h port call. Prices are starting prices per person.

| Tour | Rating | Duration | Fits Port Day | From | Provider |
|------|------|------|------|------|------|
| [Arica 10000 Years of History](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/08fd2d5d-5da2-4514-af62-41a694f75d6e.md?via=markdown) | 4.8★ (13) | 4h | ✓ | €53 | Viator |
| [Arica: Half day Panoramic City Tour](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/dfd124bd-151c-493a-aa2c-11f37e4386f2.md?via=markdown) | 5★ (2) | 4h | ✓ | €44 | Viator |
| [Arica Private Sightseeing Tour](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/008c989b-6d00-49a4-a04b-d6995ba1e7a8.md?via=markdown) | 5★ (1) | 3h | ✓ | €135 | Viator |
| [Archeological Sightseeing tour in Arica](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/69d10fb3-1b8a-4e4a-8c96-635b13e7d4da.md?via=markdown) | – | 3h | ✓ | €138 | Viator |
| [Arica Beaches & Sea Caves Tour](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/17bf3a3b-f1e4-4eac-8d49-a51beeaffeb0.md?via=markdown) | – | 3h | ✓ | €169 | Viator |
| [Codpa Oasis Heritage Tour from Arica](https://cruisello.com/gogogo/excursion/d372be18-a443-4541-b287-5976e32241aa.md?via=markdown) | – | 8h | – | €424 | Viator |

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews.

## Nearby Ports

- [Pisco](https://cruisello.com/destinations/south-america/pisco.md): 441 nm
- [Callao (Lima)](https://cruisello.com/destinations/south-america/callao-lima.md): 552 nm
- [Coquimbo](https://cruisello.com/destinations/south-america/coquimbo.md): 691 nm

## Cruise Lines Serving This Port

- [Holland America Line](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/holland-america-line.md)
- [MSC Cruises](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/msc-cruises.md)

## Cheapest Available Sailing

**[View this cruise →](https://cruisello.com/cruises/humboldt-passage-lima-arica-manta~HAL-NIEUW_AMSTERDAM-20271012-21.md)**

- **Price:** €2,699 per person (€5,398 total for 2 guests)
- **Cruise Line:** [Holland America Line](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/holland-america-line.md)
- **Ship:** [Nieuw Amsterdam](https://cruisello.com/cruise-lines/holland-america-line/nieuw-amsterdam.md)
- **Duration:** 21 nights
- **Departure:** 2027-10-12
- **Itinerary:** Humboldt Passage – Lima, Arica & Manta

## Browse Cruises

- [All cruises visiting Arica](https://cruisello.com/cruises.md?stopoverPorts=arica) (8 sailings)

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