Getting Here and Around

By Air. There are no international airports in El Norte Chico, but LAN flies from Santiago to La Serena and Copiapó, and Sky flies from Santiago to Copiapó. Round-trip flights from Santiago to El Norte Chico can be as cheap as 50,000 pesos if booked in advance, but can be much more expensive in high season and for late availability.

By Bus. Every major city in El Norte Chico has a bus terminal, and there are frequent departures to OTHER=cities as well as smaller towns in the area. Keep in mind that there may be no bus service to the smallest villages or the more remote national parks.

By Car and Taxi. Because of the distances between cities, a car is the best way to truly see El Norte Chico. Many national parks can be visited only by car, preferably a four-wheel-drive vehicle. If you don't have a car, taxis are the most efficient way to get around any city. Taxis often function as colectivos, meaning they will pick up anybody going in the same direction. The driver will adjust the price accordingly. Few taxis have meters, but prices range from 700 to 3,500 pesos per trip, depending on the distance traveled and whether the taxi is a colectivo.