Arica y Parinacota Region, Chile
Arica
Arica is a city in Arica y Parinacota Region, Chile, close to the sea. It has a population of about 202,131 (2017). The climate is classified as hot desert (Köppen BWh), with very little rain and intense sun.
Now20°C
Best timeApr · Oct–Nov
Population202,131
Local time10:27
18.48° S, 70.30° WElevation 80 mUTC−3 · Chile Summer Time
October: high / low20° / 14°
Rain this month2mm
Sea this month18°
Best timeApr · Oct–Nov
Best: Apr · Oct–Nov. Warmth, sunshine and dry days, month by month.
Arica at a glance
Sunrise · sunset07:06 · 19:4512 h 39 min of daylightThe moon tonightFull moon97% · Moonrise 18:29Next holiday31 OctoberReformation DayNext eclipse6 Feb 2027Annular solar eclipse
Best time to visitApr · Oct–Nov
The months with the highest weather score
Warmest month28°C
Average high in February
Coolest month13°C
Average low in July
Wettest monthJanuary
4 mm of rain
Driest monthMarch
2 mm of rain
Warmest sea23°C
February
Monuments nearby7+
1 of them World Heritage
How Arica has grown
People living in the built-up area (35 km² today), every five years since 1975; 2030 is the projection.
+27%96k in 1975 → 122k in 2025Weather in Arica
Now and the next ten days. The 14 and 30-day outlooks are one click away.
20°C
Today hour by hourCloudy · wind 4 km/h · humidity 74%
Today24 Oct23°19°
Sun25 Oct24°19°
Mon26 Oct23°19°
Tue27 Oct23°18°
Wed28 Oct24°19°
Thu29 Oct25°18°
Fri30 Oct25°19°
Sat31 Oct25°19°
Sun1 Nov25°20°
Mon2 Nov25°21°
When to go to Arica
Each month's weather score (warmth, sun, dry days) with its temperatures and rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 75 | 74 | 82 | 93 | 88 | 83 | 77 | 79 | 86 | 89 | 92 | 89 |
| High | 27° | 28° | 27° | 24° | 20° | 18° | 17° | 17° | 18° | 20° | 23° | 25° |
| Low | 21° | 21° | 21° | 18° | 16° | 14° | 13° | 12° | 13° | 14° | 16° | 19° |
| Rain (mm) | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Wet days | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Sea | 22° | 23° | 22° | 20° | 20° | 19° | 17° | 17° | 17° | 18° | 20° | 21° |
What's on in Arica
Concerts, football matches, the public holidays ahead and the town's festivals through the year.
Monuments and museums in Arica
2.2 km
St. Mark's Cathedral
2.5 km
Morro de Arica
2.2 km
Arica House of Culture
1.1 km
Conjunto Habitacional Lastarria
2.1 km
Estación de Pasajeros y Administración de AricaUNESCO2.2 km
Chinchorro mummies
Museum2.6 km
Museo Histórico y de Armas del Morro de AricaBuilt 1974Museum2 km
Museo del Mar de AricaBuilt 2006More museums: Museo de Arica · Museo de Bomberos de Arica · Museo del Ferrocarril
Outdoors around Arica
Hiking routes from the town, and what there is to do within 15 km: huts, viewpoints, climbing, camping, ski areas and dive sites.
Mirador Cerro la CruzViewpoints
1.7 kmCerro de La CruzViewpoints
1.7 kmEmelariCamp sites
2.6 kmCamping AmarulaCamp sites
3.6 kmRío Lluta Golf ClubGolf courses
7.5 kmNature around Arica
Wildlife in October
The birds and mammals of Chile seen most this month, compared with the rest of their year.
The sky over Arica
Earthquakes around Arica
The last 30 days within 300 km, and the record since 1950.
Last 30 days7magnitude 2.5+ within 300 kmSince 1950222magnitude 5+ within 150 kmSignificant earthquakes on record65within 300 km
Strongest nearby since 1950
8.2Pisagua 58 km ←2014 · 135 km
7.2Codpa 34 km ↙1987 · 69 km
6.9Putre 15 km ↘1983 · 94 km
6.6Camiña 53 km ↗1999 · 128 km
Tsunamis · Arica
0.9 m29 July 2025earthquake1.4 m15 January 2022volcanic eruption0.2 m4 March 2021earthquake0.1 m8 September 2017earthquake0.6 m16 September 2015earthquake0.1 m16 March 2014earthquake2 m1 April 2014earthquake0.7 m3 April 2014earthquake2.8 m1 April 2014earthquake2.2 m1 April 2014earthquake2.1 m1 April 2014earthquake3.7 m1 April 2014earthquake0.2 m6 February 2013earthquake2.5 m11 March 2011earthquake0.9 m27 February 2010earthquake0.3 m29 September 2009earthquake0.4 m15 August 2007earthquake0.1 m14 November 2007earthquake0.4 m15 November 2006earthquake0.4 m26 December 2004earthquake1.3 m23 June 2001earthquake0.2 m12 November 1996earthquake0.2 m21 February 1996earthquake0.8 m30 July 1995earthquake0.1 m5 March 1987earthquake0.5 m3 March 1985earthquake0.2 m29 November 1975earthquake and landslide0.2 m17 October 1966earthquake0.2 m28 December 1966earthquake1.1 m28 March 1964earthquake and landslide1.1 m22 May 1960earthquake–21 May 1960earthquake0.5 m9 March 1957earthquake0.5 m19 April 1955earthquake1.2 m4 November 1952earthquake–12 August 1923earthquake–11 November 1922earthquake–7 May 1906earthquake–27 March 1892earthquake–13 March 1888volcano and landslide
Fossil sites near this town
Fossil sites: 1 · 3 km
Jurassic · 1
Ammonites · 4Macrocephalites, Kosmoceras
Universities and research institutes
University of TarapacáUniversity or college · founded 1981
Towns and villages around Arica
Each with its own page: weather, climate and the best time to visit.
Arica from above
Around Arica22 places to see, do and reach nearby
Lluta RiverNature7.2 kmQuebrada de AzapaNature3.3 kmPlaya ChinchorroNature1.5 kmCerro Pan de Azúcar (Chile, Arica)Mountain6.0 kmSt. Mark's CathedralMonument2.2 kmMorro de AricaMonument2.5 kmArica House of CultureMonument2.2 kmConjunto Habitacional LastarriaMonument1.1 kmEstación de Pasajeros y Administración de AricaMonument2.1 kmChinchorro mummiesMonument2.2 kmPenínsula del AlacránMonument3.3 kmMuseo Histórico y de Armas del Morro de AricaMuseum2.6 kmMuseo del Mar de AricaMuseum2.0 kmLa Casa Redonda (museo)Museum2.2 kmColón 10Museum2.3 kmMuseo de Sitio Universidad de Tarapacá: Colón 10Museum2.3 kmChinchorroStation1.3 kmArica (FTA)Station1.8 kmArica (FCALP)Station1.9 kmTacnaPlace51 kmAlfónso UgartePlace49 kmPocollayPlace54 km
Getting to Arica
Chacalluta International AirportARI
15 kmCoronel FAP Carlos Ciriani Santa Rosa International AirportTCQ
47 kmGeneral Jorge Fernandez Maldon AirportILQ
140 kmChinchorroRailway station
1.3 kmArica (FTA)Railway station
1.8 kmArica (FCALP)Railway station
1.9 kmPlaces near Arica
Places with a climate like Arica
Matched month by month on temperature, rain and sunshine.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Arica?
Based on 30-year climate normals, April, October and November offer the best balance of comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and sunshine in Arica.
What is the hottest month in Arica?
February is the warmest month, with average highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C.
What is the coldest month in Arica?
July is the coldest month, with average highs of 17°C and lows of 13°C.
What is the rainiest month in Arica?
January is the wettest month with about 4 mm of precipitation on 3 wet days.
How warm is the sea near Arica?
The sea is warmest in February at about 23°C and coolest in August at about 17°C.