Pica combines religious architectural history with hot springs and activities centred on the night sky. In the town centre stands the Iglesia de San Andrés; outside town, Parque Nacional Salar del Huasco adds a high-altitude landscape to the picture. For trip planning, it is also helpful to distinguish between a recurring festival date and astrotourism activities whose availability may vary.
Church, local history and festival tradition
Opposite the Plaza de Armas stands the Iglesia de San Andrés, Pica’s most important urban landmark for heritage and architecture. Its significance is reflected both in its monumental structure and in the religious depictions it preserves, including a life-size representation of the Last Supper and the Holy Sepulchre. Architecture and specific religious imagery thus stand side by side.
Construction of the monumental building began around 1880 and was completed in 1888. Another historical point of interest in the central urban area is the Ex Casa del Socorro, also known as the former hospital of Pica. The monument is regarded as a testament to the oasis’s social development and political change. The church and the former hospital therefore offer different ways to explore the town’s history, without confusing their respective functions.
In Pica, the Destape de la Chicha opens the festival in honour of Saint Andrew and takes place every year on November 28. Participants share glasses of chicha with neighbours and visitors. This recurring festival date offers a specific point of reference for trip planning; however, the annual programme may vary.
Hot springs and practical information
Cocha Resbaladero is a hot spring between two natural hollows in volcanic rock. The water temperature is 27 to 30 °C. Its geological setting and stated water temperature make Cocha a distinct point of interest alongside Pica’s historical sights.
The Municipality of Pica manages Cocha Resbaladero; the site is fully equipped and offers tourist services. Since operating details may change, check the current conditions before visiting. You can reach Cocha via Avenida General Ibáñez, heading southwest. Road conditions and access arrangements should also be checked locally.
Stargazing and dinosaur figures
In 2022, San Andrés de Pica was recognised as the world’s fourth Pueblo Starlight and the first in Chile and South America. Astrotourism in Pica includes guided sky observations, night photography and stories about Andean astronomy. Since operator availability may change, check in advance which activities are offered on your travel dates.
At the entrance to Pica, Valle de los Dinosaurios displays six life-size dinosaur species. Signs provide the scientific name, height, weight, diet and bone discovery site for each figure. This makes the figures useful for comparison: visitors can compare not only the size and weight of the species depicted, but also their diets and discovery sites.
High-altitude landscapes outside town
Parque Nacional Salar del Huasco is in the highlands of the Municipality of Pica, but outside the town. The area is both a Ramsar site and a natural monument. It serves as a refuge and nesting area for numerous Andean bird species, including Chilean, Andean and James’s flamingos. This landscape differs from the attractions in town: the national park is known for its highlands and birdlife, while the church and Cocha Resbaladero are in Pica itself.
If you are considering Pica when looking for a holiday rental, you can plan your trip around two different occasions: the recurring festival on November 28, or a date when your preferred astrotourism activity is available. Check the event dates and the tours on offer before setting your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Pozo Almonte, Colchane, Huara, La Tirana
Go to the main travel overview: Tamarugal.
