tacna&arica

Tacna and Arica are two neighboring cities located on the Pacific coast, right at the Peru-Chile border. Tacna, Peru’s southernmost major city, is known for its trade and local markets, while Arica is Chile’s northernmost coastal city, famous for its beaches and strategic location. Many travelers cross between these cities by bus or taxi, making them key transit points.

I came to Tacna on my way to the Atacama Desert, with no particular plan, but I had a memorable experience—an early morning soup shared with the locals. It was a simple but deeply satisfying meal, the kind that sticks in your memory. Despite being a small city, Tacna had a warm and welcoming atmosphere that made the short stay enjoyable.

Arica, on the other hand, felt more like a coastal pit stop. I decided to try ceviche, but unfortunately, it was a major disappointment—probably not the freshest or just not what I was expecting. The city is known for the Morro de Arica hill, a historic battle site, and its long, scenic coastline. However, for me, it was just a brief stop before heading deeper into Chile.

While I didn’t spend much time in either place, Tacna’s local charm and that delicious morning soup left a stronger impression than expected.