Cuevas de Anzota
A 12-kilometre coastal path south of the city leads to a series of dramatic sea caves carved by the Pacific into black volcanic rock — and there is no entrance fee, no gate, and no crowds. The Cuevas de Anzota are Arica's most naturally beautiful attraction, and most visitors walk straight past them.
The Walk There Is Half the Point
The paved coastal road narrows into a walking path that hugs the cliff edge, keeping the ocean within arm's reach the entire way. Sea lions loll on ledges below, pelicans cruise at eye level, and the Atacama Desert rises sharply to your left — a collision of ecosystems that feels almost unreal.
A few informational plaques along the route explain the marine life you'll encounter, and stone steps have been chiselled directly into the rock face to make the caves accessible. Rent bikes in the city for a faster, breezier approach.
Inside the Caves
The caves themselves are wide, cathedral-like chambers where the ocean surges in through natural arches, filling the air with spray and a deep, rhythmic boom. At low tide, rock pools reveal sea urchins, starfish and small crabs. Archaeological remains found here suggest the caves were used by pre-Columbian coastal peoples thousands of years ago.
The best light for photography is mid-morning, when the sun angles into the cave mouths and turns the water an electric turquoise. Wear shoes with grip — the rocks are wet and uneven.
Cuevas de Anzota on video
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