Tierra Amarilla

Tierra Amarilla is a town of approximately 13,000 people in the Copiapó Valley, Atacama Region, 15 km south of Copiapó. Founded in 1750 as a mining settlement, its name ("yellow earth") comes from the yellow iron oxide staining the surrounding hills. The town has a strong mining tradition — it is the site of the Candelaria copper mine, one of the largest in the region. The valley floor is also agricultural, producing grapes for pisco.

By Plane

Desierto de Atacama Airport (CPO) in Copiapó is 25 km north. A taxi from the airport costs CLP 15,000–20,000.

By Car / Road

From Copiapó, take Route 5 south for 10 km, then Route C-33 east for 5 km. The road is paved. Local buses from Copiapó run every 30 minutes (CLP 800, 25 min).

The town is walkable. The main street, Avenida Pedro León Gallo, connects the plaza with the mining settlements.

• Plaza de Armas: a small square with a modern church and a monument to the miners.

• Museo Minero: a small mining museum with displays on the Candelaria mine history, mineral samples, and mining equipment. Free entry.

• Iglesia de Tierra Amarilla: a 19th-century adobe church with a wooden bell tower.

• Candelaria mine tour: the open-pit copper mine is visible from viewpoints along the road south of town. Guided tours are rarely available; observe from the public pull-offs.

• Pisco tasting: the Copiapó Valley has several small pisco producers — visit the Fábrica de Pisco Copiapó for a tasting.

• Hiking: the Cerro Imán trail (5 km north) climbs a magnetite-rich hill to a viewpoint over the valley.

• Restaurante Copiapó Valley (mid-range): Chilean home cooking — grilled goat, cazuela, and empanadas. Mains CLP 6,000–11,000.
• Cocinería La Estrella (budget): simple hot lunches. Mains CLP 3,000–5,000.

Tap water is safe. A few simple bars serve Cristal beer and pisco.

• Budget: Hostal Tierra Amarilla (shared rooms CLP 10,000).
• Mid-range: Hotel Candelaria (private rooms CLP 30,000–45,000, basic but clean).

• Feria Libre: a Saturday market on Calle Cousiño selling produce, cheese, and crafts.
• Almacenes centrales: general stores on the main street for basics.

• Copiapó (15 km north, 20 min): regional capital with the Mineralogical Museum and Plaza de Armas.
• Nevado Tres Cruces National Park (150 km east, 3 hr): high-altitude salt flats and the Ojos del Salado volcano.
• Vallenar (160 km south, 1.75 hr): the Huasco Valley pisco route and Llanos de Challe National Park.
• Caldera (80 km west, 1 hr): coastal beach town and port.