Copiapo, Caldera and Bahia Inglesa

I got into Copiapo on Monday 24th January about 12:30. After trying a few places and not able to get a room I eventually found a place to stay for the night for 10,00 Chp (16 Euro). Had a private room so it wasn´t that bad. Basic enough accomodation in a ´Copiapo Residencial´ on Manuel Rodriquez St. about 2 minutes from the main plaza in Copiapo.

I took a walk around the town (which didnt take too long)

... and then took a minibus to Caldera (2,600 Chp return) to see if I could get some cheap accomodation. I really wanted to go to Bahia Inglesa but heard it was really expensive so figured I would stay in Caldera for a few days and just get a collectivo down to Bahia Inglesa each day (5km trip, 800Chp). Had a chat to the tourist office on the plaza when I arrived and they made a call to a local guy (Juan) who had a residencial (´Taica Residencial´). He arrived a few minutes later in his car and took me to the residencial. It seemed fine so I booked myself in for 3 nights (25,000 Chp private room). Went back downtown and hung out in Caldera centre for a while and took a bus back to Copiapo later in the evening.

Some pictures of Caldera:

Tuesday 25th January

Checked out of ´Copiapo Residencial´, had breakfast in a restuarant on the plaza. Scorching day today and the place was packed with people. Caught an afternoon minibus to Caldera and then met Juan who brought me back to the ´residencial´. The place was a bit outside the center but Juan said he would drive me anywhere I wanted to go. Later that afternoon he drove me down to Bahia Inglesa. I had read in the Lonely Planet that this was the place to go if you were in the area. Wasn´t too impressed at first. Was expecting a big beach with loads of nightlife etc .. but it was a really small place with only a few restaurants and very overpriced accommodation. I was paying about 8,300 Chp per night in Caldera but in Bahia Inglesa (10mins by car) the cost was over 25,000 Chp per night. Another really hot day today so relaxed on the beach for the evening, had dinner and then got a collectivo back home about 21:00. It gets really cold in Bahia Inglesa after the sun goes down.

Some pictures of Bahia Inglesa:

Wednesday 26th & Thursday 27th January

Can´t really say much about these two days except they were very relaxing and I got lots of sun. I spent both days in Bahia Inglesa. When I was in Coquimbo a few days back I pulled a muscle in my leg and I was still limping around when I arrived in Copiapo and Caldera, so I figured a few relaxing days were needed.

Friday 28th January

Last day in Caldera. Will miss this place and Juan, the ´Residencial´ owner who was absolutely sound. Had a good 3 days at the residencial. Juan didnt speak a word of English and my Spanish is pretty lousy, but despite his hospitality was super.