Arica is located near the northern border of the country, at the mouth of river Azapa, 19 km from the Peruvian border or Línea de la Concordia and 2,051 km from Santiago. It is known as the City of Eternal Spring due to its weather, enjoying high temperatures all the year round.

Its status as a tax-free zone creates a lot of commercial activity. Because it is a free-port, a wide range of products of every kind can be purchased here at low prices.

Its beaches are attractive all year round, among them Bahía Chinchorro and Las Machas. Another attraction is the Morro de Arica, with its Museo de Armas, which is much frequented by tourists. It contains vivid reminders of the Pacific War, such as uniforms, bullets and other objects used by the soldiers.

Different vestiges of the indian cultures can be appreciated here in the goods which are offered for sale, produced by primitive techniques, particularly those in the Pueblo Artesanal. Here you will find museums with displays of objects used by these pre-Hispanic cultures and others brought by the Spanish settlers.