Mejillones

Mejillones is a coastal port city of roughly 12,000 inhabitants in the Antofagasta Region, 60 km north of Antofagasta. The name means "mussels" in Spanish, a reference to the abundant shellfish in its bay. Founded in the 19th century as a nitrate port, Mejillones later became a key fishing and industrial centre, home to a major thermoelectric plant and the largest industrial port in northern Chile, shipping copper and lithium from the interior mines.

Despite its industrial character, Mejillones has a pleasant seaside atmosphere with a long, sheltered bay that makes it one of the few safe swimming beaches on the otherwise wild northern coast. The climate is the Atacama Desert's coastal variant — virtually zero rainfall, temperatures between 14–22°C year-round, and frequent coastal fog (camanchaca) in the early morning.

By Plane

Cerro Moreno International Airport (ANF) in Antofagasta is 60 km south (50 min by car). A taxi from the airport to Mejillones costs approximately CLP 25,000–35,000.

By Car / Road

Mejillones is on Route 1, 60 km north of Antofagasta (50 min) and 90 km south of Tocopilla (1 hr 15 min). The road is paved and in excellent condition. Buses from Antofagasta's terminal run to Mejillones every 30–60 minutes (CLP 2,000–3,000, 1 hr).

The town is small and walkable. The main street, Arturo Prat, runs parallel to the beach and contains most shops, restaurants, and services. Colectivos connect the town centre with the port area and the Mirador.

• Playa Mejillones: a calm, sheltered bay with dark sand and gentle waves — one of the safest swimming beaches in the region.

• Muelle Fiscal: the historic iron pier extending into the bay, built in the 1880s for the nitrate trade. Popular for fishing and sunset walks.

• Mirador Cerro Gordo: a hilltop viewpoint overlooking the entire bay and the industrial port. Accessible by a steep staircase from the town centre.

• Museo del Ferrocarril: a small railway museum housed in the old Mejillones station, with steam locomotives and mining-era artefacts. Free entry.

• Swimming and kayaking: the calm bay is ideal for a morning swim or a kayak paddle. Kayak rental on the beach (CLP 10,000 per hour).

• Scuba diving: the cold, nutrient-rich waters support abundant marine life. Local dive operators offer guided dives (CLP 50,000–80,000 per dive including equipment).

• Birdwatching: the Mejillones salt marsh (Salar de Mejillones), 15 km north, is a Ramsar site frequented by Andean flamingos and Chilean flamingos, especially in the summer months.

• Fishing: the muelle is a popular fishing spot; bring your own tackle.

• Restaurante El Muelle (mid-range): known for its caldillo de congrio (conger eel stew) and mariscal (cold seafood platter). Mains CLP 8,000–15,000.
• Donde Juanito (budget): simple fish-and-chips, mixed fried seafood, and empanadas de mariscos. Mains CLP 4,000–7,000.
• Cevichería La Perla (mid-range): fresh ceviche and pulpo al olivo, served with a view of the bay. Mains CLP 7,000–12,000.
• Helados Mejillones: a local ice cream shop on the main plaza, selling lucuma and chirimoya flavours. CLP 1,500 per scoop.

Tap water is desalinated and safe to drink. For craft beer, visit Antofagasta. Mejillones has a few simple bars near the main square serving pisco, rum, and Chilean lager. Mate is common among fishermen on the pier.

• Budget: Hostal Mejillones (basic rooms with shared bathroom, CLP 12,000–15,000 per person, breakfast included).
• Mid-range: Hotel Puerto del Sol (private rooms with sea view and air conditioning, CLP 45,000–60,000, restaurant on site).
• Mid-range: Cabañas El Mirador (self-contained units on the hill overlooking the town, CLP 55,000–75,000).

• Feria del Mar: a covered fish market near the pier selling freshly caught corvina, albacore, and shellfish. A kilo of mussels costs around CLP 1,500.
• Almacenes on Arturo Prat: general stores and a small supermarket for basic supplies.

• Antofagasta (60 km south, 50 min): regional capital with the La Portada natural arch, Huanchaca Ruins, and the Museum of Natural History.
• Tocopilla (90 km north, 1.25 hr): port city with beaches, a nitrate museum, and sunset viewpoints.
• Morro Moreno National Park (70 km south, 1 hr): the dramatic headland and peninsula south of Antofagasta with hiking and sea lion colonies.
• Calama (200 km southeast, 2.5 hr): gateway to Chuquicamata, the world's largest open-pit copper mine, and onward to San Pedro de Atacama.
• Reserva Nacional La Chimba (50 km south): coastal desert reserve with endemic flora and short hiking trails.