Copiapó is a town of 150,000 people (2017) in Northern Chile. It's a pleasant stop if passing by bus, overlooked by beautiful hills and surrounded by vineyards. Although it's in the southern end of the Atacama desert, the area was once more lush oasis than now, reflected in the town's first name in 1744: San Francisco de la Selva, Saint Francis of the Jungle. In 1854 the first railway line in South America was built here.
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The town is surrounded by the Atacama Desert and receives very little rain. Copiapó is in a rich silver and copper mining district. The Copiapó-Caldera railway line, built in 1850, was the first one in South America. The original wooden railway station is now a National Monument. Tourism in Copiapó has been developing since the early 21st century. Some come to see the desert and indigenous monuments, such as the Inca cemetery in the city, which was investigated in the 1930s. In addition, a new casino has attracted domestic and foreign tourists, and hotels have invested in new amenities and structures to satisfy demand.
Mineralogical Museum (Museo Mineralógico) (at the intersection of Colipi and Rodríguez streets), ☏ +56 52 206606. Daily until 17:45. Close to the centre and an interesting collection of minerals. 600 pesos. Wooden railway station, Juan Martínez street. Built in 1854 and today a National Monument, it is part of the first railway line in South America, linking Copiapó with the port of Caldera. It is a museum. It is an adaptation of the neoclassical style, a vestige of the splendid past of mining in Copiapó. Plaza de Armas.
The Plaza A. Pratt is a very pleasant park in the centre of town, great for reading or just spending a few hours relaxing in the shade. It has a lot of interesting trees and comfortable benches. Tres Cruces National Park in the Andes La Candelaria Festival During the first days of February of each year the Festival of the Virgen de la Candelaria is celebrated, in homage to the patron saint of the miners, the festival includes typical dances from the north of Chile with costumes and groups, thousands of people arrive people from all over Chile and neighboring countries. In addition, a trade fair is held.
A large Lider supermarket on Chacabuco 120 is very close to the centre and the bus terminals. Great for self-caterers or if stocking up before a bus ride. Maspizza, Atacama 671, +56 52 232856. Good pizzas at reasonable prices. Wide variety of toppings, popular. Pizza for two from 3000 pesos.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Aug, Copiapo typically sees ~22°C daytime highs and 3 rainy days.
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