Tel: 55, Pop: 25,000

Tocopilla is a port town on a platform and exports fish, flour and ores, among other products. There is also an ugly thermoelectric plant scarringthe town, and overall there aren't many reasons to go out of your way for a visit. The trip on Ruta 1 from Iquique to Tocopilla actually does offer some great scenery, though traffic can be a bit heavy along the narrow highway. In town, the Torre Reloj located on the corner of Prat and Baquedano is moderately interesting, as is the Playa El Salitre - a great beach to relax and get a tan but the contaminated water prevents swimming.

Hotel Atenas located at 21 de Mayo 1448 is a nice place and its 20 rooms are equipped with a refrigerator and cable TV. A single room costs approximately $30, a double $35. (Tel: 55-813650.) Hotel Croacia (Bolívar 1332, Tel: 55-810332) is a cheaper option with clean bathrooms at approximately $20 per night. Club de la Unión located at Prat 1354 (Tel: 55-813198) without a doubt serves the best traditional lunch and dinners in Tocopilla for a decent price ($4-8). Lucciano’s Pizza located four blocks north of the plaza on 21 de Mayo has a good slice of pie.

Getting to and away

There are numerous daily departures from Antofagasta and Calama - buses that run between Antofagasta and Iquique stop in Tocopilla. For those in rental cars, remember this is the last stop for gas until Iquique.