Hotel Apacheta

The seagulls are noisy during the day, but they leave around sunset, so nights are peaceful. I liked the hotel enough that I would gladly have stayed another day or two. The rooms are a little rustic, but they've been done with taste. Being weathered a bit by the sea seems to add to their appeal. It's outside town, so there's not much nearby, though the walk along the beachfront is lovely. We had a very good dinner and breakfast, and there's also bar service. The outdoor restaurant area is a great place for breakfast.

Breakfast was good, with yogurt, a couple of pieces of fruit, olives, eggs, bread, butter and jam, plus a choice of French press coffee or tea. They also accommodated my gluten-free friend. The hotel sits right by the ocean between two popular swimming beaches, and has a small beach of its own where you can wade. It seemed like a safe place for little kids to play. The bed was very comfortable, with a fluffy duvet, and the shower came with shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Staff were friendly. I'd gladly return. Book directly through the hotel website for the best deal.

From here, the center of Arica is about a 15-minute walk along the shore. The hotel is clean, with nice rooms and a great view. Staff are very friendly and helpful, and the taxi service is reliable. You can book a Lauca national park tour for a good price. Breakfast was good, and the à la carte dinner was very good too. The mojito was really tasty. Highly recommended.

It's a 15-20 minute walk into town, but this felt like a lovely escape by the ocean. Every room has an ocean view and a private balcony where you can watch the sunset. The rooms are clean and modern, and fit beautifully with the sea setting. Staff were friendly and attentive, and the food and drinks tasted good. I'd highly recommend it and will definitely come back.