Is Iquique expensive to visit?
In Iquique, budget travelers spend $53 (CL$51,007) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $120 (CL$115,498) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $230 (CL$222,163) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Iquique.
Iquique is a smaller spot that entices a mix of tourists, showcasing various travel styles, financial habits, and budget considerations. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.
If you choose to make it so, Iquique can be very pricey, but you can reduce your expenses by looking for discounts and coupons.
Within South America, Iquique is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in South America for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Iquique is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Iquique Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Iquique?
The average Iquique trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Iquique travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Iquique cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to be realistic about your travel budget when visiting Iquique. Although some travelers believe they can get by on a shoestring budget, most people aren't comfortable with that type of travel. Consider what you enjoy on vacation and how you've traveled in the past. Do you like staying in resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, or hostels? Are dining out and visiting attractions a priority? Your preferences will affect your overall budget and itinerary.
What is a budget traveler, anyway?
You might consider yourself a budget traveler, but if you're not ready to give up some comforts, prepare to spend a lot more than the $53 per day that younger budget travelers manage.
Backpackers will usually stick to this shoestring budget by staying in hostel dorms, dining at the cheapest spots such as fast food places, using public transit, and mostly visiting free attractions.
Luckily, Iquique has plenty of hostels like Aotea Hostel Iquique. At these hostels, you can find affordable dorm beds and a vibrant social scene, but amenities tend to be quite limited.
Are You Considered an Average Traveler?
If you're a couple or family taking a fun trip, you'll probably prefer a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at favorite restaurants, and visit the main museums and attractions that require entry fees. Exploring the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks is a must for most visitors to Iquique. Most activities have costs involved. Thus, it's realistic to expect your daily budget to be closer to $120 per person, per day.
There are a wide range of hotels and vacation rentals in Iquique. If you're traveling with others, you'll share your hotel with a partner, friend, or your children, so costs will be split accordingly, saving money. When traveling as a family, you'll want to find hotels and restaurants that cater to kids. Hotel Spark Suites Iquique is a good kid-friendly option, and NH Iquique is also terrific. You'll find more hotels that cater to families and couples in our hotel guide for Iquique here.
Want to Experience a Luxurious Trip?
If you're looking for a higher-end vacation filled with high-end amenities and exceptional service, plan for a daily expense of approximately $230. Staying at nicer hotels, savoring meals at top-rated restaurants, splurging on lavish outings, and utilizing taxis or private drivers in the destination means you'll need a more luxurious budget.
Accommodation Budget in Iquique
Iquique offers a broad range of hotel prices, from budget to luxury. Higher-end hotels come with more amenities and higher prices, particularly during peak season. Off-season, you'll find average rates around $80, but during peak season, they can average $149. Prices range from $46 to $269, and hostels tend to be much cheaper. Save money by visiting during the low season or by taking advantage of early booking and special promotions.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Iquique for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $86 (CL$81,760). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $43 (CL$40,880) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Iquique? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Iquique include:
- Hotel Diego de Almagro Iquique starting at $85
By traveling in the off-peak times like the low or shoulder season, and steering clear of , you'll find cheaper lodging and smaller crowds.
Transportation Budget in Iquique
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $23 (CL$22,001) per person, per day, on local transportation in Iquique. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Iquique is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$23
CL$22,001
Many flights from Iquique's Diego Aracena International Airport connect daily with Santiago and other main cities in the country. International flights are offered to Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. Iquique is also well deserved by bus companies with several daily arrivals from Arica, Antofagasta, Calama and Santiago. The 'main terminal' north of the centre serves most destinations, but quite a few buses from Arica pull in close to the central mercado at the intersection between Calle Barros Arana and Thomson. 'Tur-bus' have their own terminal on Calle Esmeralda. There are also buses arriving from La Paz, Oruro and Cochabamba in Bolivia. When travelling around the city, collective buses (micros) run along the major streets in the center and will bring you to the Zofri very quickly. Walking is the most convenient mode of transport for getting to and from the beaches. You can also share a taxi for around USD$1, depending on the trip's length or get a private taxi for around USD$4, which is faster than taking the bus (USD$75). You can of course access Iquique with your car by the Pan American highway going north or south. Arica, on the border with Peru, is 307 km north. Calama is 389 km southeast and Santiago is 1843 km south. By sea, Iquique is also a port where number of cruise lines drop passengers who want to enjoy the duty free shopping, local restaurants and great sights!
A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:
- Sandboard activity in Iquique with transfer for $75 details
How much does it cost to go to Iquique? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Iquique will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Iquique
Food is a major attraction for travelers, so make sure you don't miss out on the local culinary delights.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Iquique can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Iquique is $59 (CL$55,943) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$59
CL$55,943
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Iquique is around $58 (CL$55943) per person, with previous travelers spending from $25 to $115. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Iquique are as follows:
- Breakfast: $6 to $17
- Lunch: $9 to $23
- Dinner: $17 to $41
- Coffee: $5
- Fast Food or Street Food: $9
Enjoy amazing food in Iquique's restaurants with ocean views. Try the traditional mango sour, a drink based on the creamy tropical fruit which is abundant in the region together with the guayaba, grapefruit and lemons which grow in its oasis. Taste some delicious ceviche, and other fish dishes. Or fall or a Chumbeque, a traditional sweet of Iquique which has been around since 1920 and is as much a part of the city as the beach is. It has three layers of a type of biscuit originally filled with Limón de Pica, a type of small lemon from Pica.
A lot of hotels include breakfast in their price, but some may add it as an extra charge. The price and quality can differ from one hotel to the next. Being aware of this ahead of time can help you figure out if you'll need to shell out more money. The hotel buffet could be delicious, or you might opt for a more affordable treat at a nearby bakery or cafe.
Bring a water bottle along to avoid the need to buy drinks. It's also good for Mother Earth.
Before embarking on a tour, ensure you know which meals are included. You might have to pay for some food yourself, and that can add to your travel expenses.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Iquique
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Iquique typically cost an average of $27 (CL$26,072) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$27
CL$26,072
Head to Playa Cavancha, the most popular beach in Iquique. Running along the Pacific Ocean, Cavancha is a great place to join in on a game of beach soccer, paddle ball, volleyball, workout on its exercise bars, take a dip in the beautiful ocean or just slowly wander along its boardwalk away from the town center. You must see the Corbeta Esmeralda, a life-size replica of the ship that was sunk by the Peruvians in 1879 during the War of the Pacific, a very important part of the history of Chile. The Battle of Iquique lasted over three hours with the Esmeralda eventually succumbing to a Peruvian ship. You can take a 40-minute tour to see all the quarters of the ship and learn about the battle. Right in the centre of town, directly across from the Clock Tower, you will see the Teatro Municipal de Iquique. Discover how theatrical entertainment operated over a century ago and how special effect where put in place with the pulley systems used to lift the actors from the rafters to the stage into the spotlight. Then walk down the wide, pedestrian-only Calle Baquedano, a great street to wander on for a bite to eat, a drink in the sun or simply to get to the centre of town. The train tracks running down the street's centre and the faded, wooden, saloon-style architecture is reflective of Iquique's mining history. Visit the sea lions waiting at the Caleta Riquelme's wharf edge, to whom the fisherman throw their fish scraps. Or for a get away from town, make the journey north to get the best view of the sunset in the city from the Marinero Desconocido or "Unknown Sailor" statue.
Other than visiting Iquique's famous Duty Free area, a true paradise for shoppers, where you'll find anything from electronics to high-end perfumes, Iquique has a lot of fun activities to offer. The Museo Regional de Iquique is a very diverse and informative museum and it's free!. The museum explains the progression of the Earth from its creation 4.6 billion years ago to the existence and disappearance of the dinosaurs, then to the more specific history of the Chinchorro people and the foundation of Iquique. Located nearby the replica of the ancient ship is the Naval Museum of Iquique, which goes into more detail about the War of the Pacific, as well as other battles fought on Chilean seas. For a spectacular view, head to the Cerro Dragon and perhaps even surf down the gigantic mountain of sand. The view itself from the Cerro Dragon is worth the journey, and a tour that lets you glide down its sand makes this one of the most special sunset experiences you will ever have. Finally, take a bus from the centre of town for a 45-minute journey inland to check out the well-preserved yet completely deserted town of Humberstone, which was declared a UNESCO heritage site in 2005. Named after James Thomas Humberstone, a British chemical engineer who founded the Peru Nitrate Company, the town was developed during the saltpeter rush in the late 1800s, which was also responsible for founding the city of Iquique.
A nice way to explore destinations in Iquique is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- City tour of Iquique with navigation to the Esmeralda buoy for $55 details
- Pintados Geoglyphs, Humberstone and Salar Crespo tour for $145 details
- City Tour in Iquique for $89 details
Iquique, Chile
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.