La Serena: The Jewel of the Chilean Coastline

• HelloHola
  [oh-la]
• GoodbyeAdiós
  [ah-dee-ohs]
• YesSí
  [see]
• NoNo
  [noh]
• Please/You're welcomePor favor/De nada
  [pohr fah-vohr/de nah-dah]
• Thank youGracias
  [grah-see-ahs]
• Excuse me/SorryPerdón/Lo siento
  [pehr-dohn/loh see-ehn-toh]
• How are you?¿Cómo estás?
  [koh-moh ehs-tahs]
• Fine. And you?Bien. ¿Y tú?
  [byehn. ee too]
• Do you speak English?¿Hablas inglés?
  [ah-blahs een-glays]
• I don't understandNo entiendo
  [noh ehn-tee-ehn-doh]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMe gustaría ver el menú, por favor
  [meh goos-tah-ree-ah behr ehl meh-noo, pohr fah-vohr]
• I don't eat meatNo como carne
  [noh koh-moh kahr-neh]
• Cheers!¡Salud!
  [sah-lood]
• I would like to pay, pleaseMe gustaría pagar, por favor
  [meh goos-tah-ree-ah pah-gahr, pohr fah-vohr]

• Help!¡Ayuda!
  [ah-yoo-dah]
• Go away!¡Vete!
  [veh-teh]
• Call the Police!¡Llama a la policía!
  [yah-mah ah lah poh-lee-see-ah]
• Call a doctor!¡Llama a un doctor!
  [yah-mah ah oon dohk-tohr]
• I'm lostEstoy perdido/a
  [ehs-toy pehr-dee-doh/dah]
• I'm illEstoy enfermo/a
  [ehs-toy ehn-fehr-moh/ah]

• I'd like to buy...Me gustaría comprar...
  [meh goos-tah-ree-ah kohm-prahr...]
• I'm just lookingSolo estoy mirando
  [soh-loh ehs-toy meer-ahn-doh]
• How much is it?¿Cuánto cuesta?
  [kwan-toh kwehs-tah]
• That's too expensiveEsto es demasiado caro
  [ehs-toh ehs deh-mah-syah-doh kah-roh]
• Can you lower the price?¿Puede bajar el precio?
  [pweh-deh bah-hahr ehl pree-syoh]

• What time is it?¿Qué hora es?
  [keh oh-rah ehs]
• It's one o'clockEs la una
  [ehs lah oo-nah]
• Half past (10)Son las diez y media
  [sohn lahs dyehs ee meh-dee-ah]
• MorningMañana
  [mah-nyah-nah]
• AfternoonTarde
  [tahr-deh]
• EveningNoche
  [noh-cheh]
• YesterdayAyer
  [ah-yehr]
• TodayHoy
  [oy]
• TomorrowMañana
  [mah-nyah-nah]
• 1Uno
  [oo-noh]
• 2Dos
  [dohs]
• 3Tres
  [trehs]
• 4Cuatro
  [kwah-troh]
• 5Cinco
  [seen-koh]
• 6Seis
  [says]
• 7Siete
  [syeh-teh]
• 8Ocho
  [oh-choh]
• 9Nueve
  [nweh-veh]
• 10Diez
  [dyehs]

• Where's a/the...?¿Dónde está el/la...?
  [dohn-deh ehs-tah ehl/lah]
• What's the address?¿Cuál es la dirección?
  [kwahl ehs lah dee-rehk-syohn]
• Can you show me (on the map)?¿Puedes mostrarme (en el mapa)?
  [pweh-dehs mohs-trahr-meh (ehn ehl mah-pah)]
• When's the next (bus)?¿Cuándo es el próximo (autobús)?
  [kwan-doh ehs ehl proh-see-moh (ow-toh-boos)]
• A ticket (to ....)Un boleto (a ...)
  [oon boh-leh-toh (ah ...)]

La Serena was founded on August 26, 1544, by Captain Juan Bohón under the orders of Pedro de Valdivia. It was the second oldest city in Chile after Santiago and was established to facilitate communication and transportation between Santiago and the cities of Peru. The city was named after the Spanish city of La Serena in Extremadura.

In 1549, La Serena was destroyed by an indigenous Diaguita uprising. The city was rebuilt in 1552 by Francisco de Aguirre, and this time, it was fortified to withstand future attacks. This marked the beginning of a more permanent settlement in the region.

During the colonial period, La Serena became known for its unique architectural style, characterized by its stone churches, colonial buildings, and distinctive urban planning. The city was designed with a grid layout, typical of Spanish colonial cities, which remains a prominent feature to this day.

In the 19th century, La Serena experienced significant economic growth due to the mining boom in the region. The discovery of rich silver deposits in nearby areas attracted many settlers and investors, leading to increased trade and prosperity.

In the 1940s, the Chilean government initiated the 'La Serena Plan,' an urban development project aimed at preserving the city's colonial heritage while modernizing its infrastructure. Architect Eduardo Mallea spearheaded the project, which included the restoration of historic buildings and the construction of new public spaces, blending modern and colonial styles.

La Serena is renowned for its cultural heritage, hosting numerous festivals and events that celebrate its history and traditions. The 'La Serena Festival' and 'Semana del Mar' are among the most famous, attracting visitors from all over Chile and beyond. The city is also home to various museums, including the Archaeological Museum of La Serena, which showcases the region's rich pre-Columbian history.

In recent years, La Serena has become a hub for astronomical tourism due to its clear skies and proximity to numerous observatories. The city serves as a gateway to the Elqui Valley, where visitors can explore some of the world's most advanced astronomical facilities, such as the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory and the La Silla Observatory.

La Serena is located in the Coquimbo Region of Chile. The nearest major airport is La Florida Airport (LSC), which is about 7 kilometers southeast of the city center. Direct flights to La Florida Airport are available from Santiago, Chile's capital, and the flight takes about 1 hour. Alternatively, you can take a long-distance bus from Santiago to La Serena, which takes approximately 7 hours. Another option is to rent a car and drive from Santiago, which allows you to enjoy the scenic beauty along Route 5.

La Serena offers a variety of transportation options. Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber are widely available. Public buses and colectivos (shared taxis) are affordable and cover most parts of the city and nearby areas. For exploring the city at your own pace, you can rent a car from local or international rental agencies. Biking is also a popular choice for getting around, especially along the coastal routes.

The official currency in Chile is the Chilean Peso (CLP). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops. However, it is advisable to carry some cash, especially when visiting smaller establishments or markets. ATMs are available throughout La Serena, but make sure to inform your bank about your travel plans to avoid any issues with card usage.

La Serena is generally a safe city for tourists, but it is important to take standard precautions. Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places. Areas such as the city center and tourist hotspots are generally safe, but it is advisable to be cautious in less populated neighborhoods. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid displaying expensive items openly.

In case of an emergency, dial 133 for police, 131 for medical emergencies, and 132 for fire services. La Serena has several hospitals and clinics that provide medical care. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, there are numerous pharmacies across the city where you can purchase over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress in comfortable, casual clothing, but avoid overly revealing outfits. When visiting religious sites, opt for modest attire. Religion: Do respect local religious customs and traditions. Public Transport: Do be respectful and give up your seat to elderly passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a handshake or a kiss on the cheek, which is customary in Chile. Eating & Drinking: Do try local cuisine and drink pisco sour, but don't refuse food or drink offerings from locals as it may be considered impolite.

To experience La Serena like a local, visit the La Recova Market for handcrafts and local delicacies. Engage with the friendly locals who are often willing to share their culture and traditions. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the nearby Elqui Valley, renowned for its pisco distilleries and clear skies for stargazing. Additionally, enjoy a leisurely walk along Avenida del Mar for beautiful coastal views.