The Ferrocarril Tacna–Arica tourist train is a cross-border railway connection between Tacna in Peru and Arica in Chile; the route is 62 kilometers long. Built in 1856, it is Peru’s second-oldest railway still in operation and the country’s only international railway connection. The route passes through desert areas, crosses bridges over gorges, and offers views of the Pacific Ocean.
Railways and the city’s history
The Museo Ferroviario Nacional de Tacna is located in the Estación de Ferrocarril Tacna–Arica. Its three galleries are devoted to historical documentation, Peru, and the Tacna–Arica route. Visitors interested in the railway’s history will find a complement to the journey here: the station houses a museum whose galleries explore different aspects of railway history.
The Centro Cultural Casa Basadre has a different focus. Its permanent exhibitions include the history of Tacna and the life of Jorge Basadre. The cultural center also offers workshops and discussions about literature and heritage. A screening room and an outdoor space for community events round out its offerings. The building has been protected as a Historical and Artistic Monument since April 5, 1978.
Protected landscapes and hiking
The Área de Conservación Regional Vilacota Maure, or ACR Vilacota Maure for short, is a state-protected area in the Tacna Region. It was established on August 27, 2009, by Decreto Supremo N° 015-2009-MINAM and is managed by the Regional Government of Tacna. Its main objective is to protect natural resources, biodiversity, and cultural heritage in the region’s Andean ecosystem. The Valle de los Géiseres is in the Tacna Region, in the Candarave District, and within this protected area.
A separate hiking option is Garganta Del Diablo: access from Cotapampa involves a one-hour hike of low to moderate difficulty. Interpretive hiking, birdwatching, and photography are possible on site. The stated duration and difficulty provide specific guidance for planning this outing; the activities listed also make it appealing to travelers who want to combine nature watching with a hike.
Cultural sites in Tarata and other districts
Tarata preserves cobbled streets, colonial stone houses, and historic temples. The Iglesia San Benedicto in Tarata’s main square can be reached from Tacna by public or tourist minibuses. The listed routes from Tacna to Tarata and the church follow paved roads. This makes it a practical option for anyone who wants to include Tarata’s cultural sites in their travel plans.
Other attractions fall under different administrative areas within the region: the Museo Histórico Regional de Tacna is a tourist attraction in the Province and District of Tacna. The Complejo Arqueológico de Miculla is in the Province of Tacna and the Pachía District. The Iglesia San Juan Bautista is a tourist attraction in the Province and District of Candarave. These location details help distinguish the destinations by their respective areas, rather than treating them as a single collection of city visits.
Plan your trip around your interests
When choosing a hotel in Tacna, you can start by deciding which themes are a priority for your trip: railways and city history, heritage sites in Tarata or Pachía, or protected landscapes and hiking in the Candarave area. The options described differ considerably in both content and format—from an international railway route to cultural sites and a hike with a stated duration and difficulty. This lets you tailor the rest of your plans to the visits you actually want to make.
Discover more destinations: Tacna, Pachía District, Puno, San Martín, Ayacucho, Cajatambo, Piura, Junín.
Go to the main travel overview: Peru.
