Top Things to do in Vicuna
Top 10 Things to do in Vicuna, Coquimbo Region
Discover the best top things to do in Vicuna, Chile including Planetario Natural Alfa Aldea, Observatorio del Pangue, Embalse Puclaro, Pisquera Aba Oficial, Centro Turistico Cooperativa Capel, Museo Entomologico de Vicuna, Mamalluca Observatory, Plaza de Armas, Guayacan Craft Brewery, Museo Gabriela Mistral de Vicuna.
Restaurants in Vicuna
1. Planetario Natural Alfa Aldea
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 255 reviews
Located two kilometres from the city of Vicuna and overlooking nine hectares of beautiful and prolific vineyards you can find the 'Alfa Aldea' Natural Planetarium. In this splendid place you can enjoy an unforgettable stellar experience, a different concept of astronomical observation. Our intention is to be always in touch with nature, mirroring the way the first, ancient astronomers watched the skies. The modern astronomical facilities are located in the middle of the vineyards; in order to provide superior service and ensure a wonderful astronomical experience to our visitors a ground-level amphitheatre has been built with a seating capacity of 50 people. The design of the aforementioned building allows the installation of our last-generation telescopes of 10", 12" and 16" inches. All extra accessories (ocular lens suitcases and filters) are included and are available for the tour guide. Personalized tours are available in English and Spanish languages.
Reviewed By MLL1592 - Innsbruck, Austria
Very nice Tour in a familiar and relaxed atmosphere in beautiful vineyard. Group size Maximum of 12. Excellent explanations in spanish and english. Everyone gets the time to watch through the telescope several times. You can ask all that comes to your mind. I even got picked up and brought back to my hostel with no charge. Wine from their vineyard and tomato soup are served. My first ever astronomy tour. Very impressive. Thank you!
2. Observatorio del Pangue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Astronomical Observatory offering guided Tours, as well as telescope renting programmes for advanced astronomers. Several large telescopes offered, ranging from 16 inches to 28 inches of aperture, and away from city lights. Groups strictly limited to 10 people per night, so booking in advance is requested. Transfert to the observatory (17km) included. Open every night except around Full Moon dates, all year long. Programmes performed in english, french, and spanish.
Reviewed By stork90 - Mount Juliet, United States
We greatly enjoyed our 2 hour tour of the night sky, and had all our questions answered completely by the two astronomers. There was a group of 4 French speaking tourists, and the 2 of us for English. We were picked up promptly at 2045 by the minivan, and driven 30 minutes into the mountains outside town. We saw a binary star, nebulae, "space gas" (forgive my ignorance of correct terms), a dying star and other gorgeous sights and constellations.The sky was clear and we had nearly 2 hours of great viewing of the Milky Way before the sky started to lighten with the rising moon behind the mountains. Fantastic tour and definitely worth every CLP!
3. Embalse Puclaro
4. Pisquera Aba Oficial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 329 reviews
Boutique company that produces pisco since 1921 in the Elqui Valley. Crafted from hand harvested muscat grapes of great aromatic quality. Each end of summer, the fruit is first turned into wine to be distilled in ancient copper still pots in a double distillation process. After 12 to 24 months of maturation, the spirit is blended with ultra pure water to adjust alcoholic strength to 40% in a step
Reviewed By stork90 - Mount Juliet, United States
We only had to wait a few minutes for an English speaking guide, who was funny and informative. I too, enjoy a smaller operation vs the large commercial ones, and we quickly learned the steps in making pisco. He answered all our questions easily. The tasting at the end surprised us that we liked the lowest end pisco for its smoothness, vs the barrel aged Fuegos. We really enjoyed the cocktails with mango and ?macai berry, so much so, that we bought a small bottle of each pre-made cocktail.
5. Centro Turistico Cooperativa Capel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
Porque queremos cuidarte, y por motivos de la contingencia sanitaria cerramos nuestro Centro Turístico hasta nuevo aviso, estaremos preparándonos para volver con el cariño y cordialidad de siempre. Apertura y más información será comunicada por nuestras redes sociales.
Reviewed By Andypose - Buenos Aires, Argentina
We walked from Vicuña and were offered a tour within 30 minutes in English or Spanish. We paid for the Capel tour (4000 pesos) and were really surprised by its great value. It included a 45 minute tour, 2 piscos to taste and a free glass. We really enjoyed our tour with Rafaela. She was very informed and taught us a lot about Pisco. We definitely recommend a visit.
6. Museo Entomologico de Vicuna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By good_ants - Santiago, Chile
The "other museum" across town wasn't letting us in (even though it was dead quiet), so we strolled over to see this little one in central Vicuna. We "dropped a dollar" in the cup and gawked, squirmed and giggled at the interesting collection of insects, fossils, and models in this great museum. Definitely worth a visit that won't last an hour, just on the corner of the main square ('plaza de armas') in little, old Vicuna.
7. Mamalluca Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 664 reviews
The Mamalluca Observatory ("mother who shelters" according to Quechua) is located 9 kms northwest of Vicuña, at 1,100 m.s.n.m. Is a must see in the region of Coquimbo, is the first tourist observatory in Chile, has a 12-inch telescope donated by AURA that has CCD detectors for electronic photography, as well as a computer for data transfer This observatory offers one of the most important attractions of the area, the cleanest skies in the world, perfect for watching the night sky and be amazed. Within the Mamalluca Observatory, there is a tour with a duration of approximately 2 hours, where guides specialized in the matter explain in details about the universe and answer the concerns giving a sample of quality and truthfulness to the visitors. There it is possible to observe the stars, the Moon, the planets like Saturn and its rings or Jupiter and its 16 moons, and the different constellations.
Reviewed By Courty1886 - London, United Kingdom
This place is amazing. I did the English version of the tour and the guide was brilliant, so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I really recommend this. The starscape is awesome. They also make a good coffee.
8. Plaza de Armas
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 134 reviews
Reviewed By nutmeg2000 - Pleasanton, United States
When we first got into Vicuna, we were sad that the museum of Gabriela Mistral was closed on Mondays, but then we walked down to the cute Plaza de Armas. There were many vendors with a variety of cute items including things made with various stones and glass and woven bracelets. My favorite area was across the street in a shopping area behind the ice cream store on Chacabuco near Arturo Prat (see pic, not the cannibis place). The 3rd booth or so on the right had a man selling glass pendants with colorful pieces inside (see pic below). They came with a woven chain and pretty bag for only 4,000 pesos (about $6) each. I wish I'd bought more than the 5 I did. 2 more booths up on the right is a man with great prices on carved stone. We is also very knowledgeable and wants to make sure you know what you are buying. He also showed me how to tell counterfeit bills from real ones. At the very back my aunt bought a nice small hand painted plate. They also have bathrooms near the entrance on the left side for 300 pesos. On the corner of the square on Arturo Prat near Chacabuco there is a guy on the sidewalk with many small polished stones. I bought a small lapis lazuli moai from him for 8,000 pesos. He had other stones including rhodochrosite from Argentina. Around the square there were other cute booths including the one with stones of the area on a plaque which I included a picture of, but I was worried I had too many other heavy things to bring home. Also there is a large supermarket on the other corner of Chacabuco.
9. Guayacan Craft Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 217 reviews
Guayacan is the first Brewery in the Elqui valley. It was founded in 2010 a we are located in the town of Diaguitas. We invite you to visit us and learn about the elaboration process of Craft Beer with a guided tour in our plant that also uses solar energy for its functioning. Also you can taste all our beer styles and visit our Beergarden to try our products with hand made pizzas and burguers. We are certified as a B Corporation. We look forward for your visit in Diaguitas!
Reviewed By shoracek - Columbus, United States
The location is a few km outside Vicuña but once you are there it’s very relaxing. They didn’t have the tours going as we arrived for an early lunch but the beers were really good. Especially enjoyed the Stout. Really unique collection of local indigenous art on the walls of the beer garden. Beware the portion sizes, we had to be wheeled out. Also, try the taproom in Vicuña, our favorite of the in town meals we had during our trip. Menu and beer flight explanation were both in English which is nice for us non-fluent Spanish speakers. Staff was diligent and helpful. Recommended stop for a lazy afternoon.
10. Museo Gabriela Mistral de Vicuna
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 330 reviews
Museo ubicado en la ciudad de Vicuña, Valle de Elqui, junto al sitio natal de la poeta e intelectual chilena Gabriela Mistral. Dedicado a la vida y obra de esta autora, galardonada en 1945 con el Premio Nobel de Literatura. Cuenta con dos salas de exhibición permanente (Sala Principal y Atkinson), Sala Lagar de exhibiciones temporales, Biblioteca "Isolina Barraza", Huerta Parque, Plaza de la Memoria y área de servicios.
Reviewed By 161jennia - Kolding, Denmark
Great visit the other day? the entrance is free of charge If you know spanish and what the museum is about definitely recommend to have a look
