Terminal and berths
Ships normally dock at Terminal Puerto Coquimbo, a working cargo port with passenger facilities next to central Coquimbo. Passengers should follow the marked route and the instructions of staff at the terminal. The port also handles copper and regional wine exports, so keep to the marked route and avoid working areas. The archived WhatsInPort page says the centre is less than one mile from the pier, and that taxis are generally available at the pier. Agree the fare with the driver before you leave the port, as the archive advises.
Getting to La Serena
Coquimbo lies about 10 km south of La Serena, and the two form one metro area of more than 400,000 people. A taxi or arranged transfer takes about 30 to 45 minutes each way, and longer in traffic. Shuttles to La Serena depend on the cruise line, so check the destination, the cost and the last return time before you book. Buses and shared colectivos are possible, but they need more planning. The archive gives the distance as about 10 miles, which is a conflict with the wiki’s 10 km figure. The wiki figure is used here.
Coquimbo waterfront and old town
The Coquimbo loop is about 2 to 3 km and takes 35 to 50 minutes of walking, or 2 to 3 hours with stops. It runs from Plaza Vicuña Mackenna through Calle Aldunate, Plaza de Armas and Avenida Costanera, then to the fishing terminal and back to the port exit. Barrio Inglés has older facades on Calle Aldunate, and the fishing market is on the route. Some businesses may be closed during the day, so check before you plan a meal stop. The archive also lists the Museum and the House of Culture and Tourism.
La Serena historic centre
The La Serena centre takes 4 to 5 hours with transfers, and covers the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral, stone churches and the La Recova craft market. The La Serena loop is about 2 km and takes 30 to 40 minutes of walking, or 2 to 3 hours in total, excluding transfers. It passes the cathedral, La Merced Church, La Recova, San Agustín Church, the Archaeological Museum and Calle Cordovez. Pair the centre with a taxi that has an agreed return time.
Cross, beaches and coast
The Cruz del Tercer Milenio is a large cross above Coquimbo with city and bay views, and takes 1 to 2 hours. Reaching it on foot is a steep climb, so a taxi is the sensible option. The archive lists beaches to the south at La Herradura and to the north at Los Hornos, Totoralillo Norte and El Temblador. The Pacific water is cold, so swim only where permitted and follow the flags and lifeguard advice. Guanaqueros and Tongoy, further south, are described as beach towns reached from Coquimbo.
Elqui Valley
An organised trip toward Vicuña takes about 1.5 hours each way and suits a longer call. The Cruisemapper wiki says it includes a pre-arranged visit to a pisco producer. Plan a conservative return, because the drive is long, and check the all-aboard time before you leave for the valley. Confirm the departure and return times with the operator, and check that the visit fits the all-aboard time with a clear margin. The wiki frames it as a trip for a longer call, so skip it on a short stop.
Food & shopping
In Coquimbo, Calle Aldunate is the main shopping street, according to the archive. La Serena adds the La Recova market and Plaza Mall. The archive gives store hours of 9:30 to 13:30 and 16:00 to 20:00, but those hours date from 2024 and conflict with other opening-hours information in the same archive, so check them on the day. The fishing market on the Coquimbo loop is the best place to see the local catch. Calle Aldunate and the La Recova market both give a good sense of local trade.
Money & connectivity
The currency is the Chilean peso, shown as CLP in this guide. The archive advises taking cash in pesos, because card acceptance is lower in small towns. A US dollar rate is given in the archive, but it is dated and is not used here. The archive says that hotels often offer internet access to guests, and that internet access costs vary from town to town. Spanish is the official language. The archive lists emergency numbers: 131 for ambulance, 132 for fire, 133 for Carabineros, and 137 for sea rescue.
Practical tips
Agree taxi fares, pickup points and whether the driver will wait. Bring Chilean pesos, sunscreen, water and a light layer. Check museum and monument opening hours. Allow at least an hour to return from La Serena, plus a buffer before all-aboard, and more in heavy traffic. The archive notes that La Pampilla, Chile’s largest popular festival, is held in Coquimbo during Independence Day from 18 to 20 September, so check whether it coincides with your call. Keep the taxi company’s number and the pickup point written down before you leave the port.
Accessibility & mobility
The Cruz del Tercer Milenio is a steep climb on foot, so use a taxi, according to the Cruisemapper wiki. The Coquimbo and La Serena centres are walkable, but the sources read do not describe step-free routes or accessible transport. Ask the ship and the driver about pavements and vehicle access before booking.