Did you know that in North Chile you can find the best mangos in the world?
After having developed an open pleasure and love for the most delicious fruit: Mangos, and after trying them in many destinations, I thought I had eaten the best mangos of my life in Thailand, but then India’s overachieved.
I had no idea what I was on about to discover in a small town in northern Chile
What I like most about touring Chile are the small villages as they always bring surprises.
One of them is Pica, located 114 km from Iquique, an oasis that includes the towns of Pica, Matilla, Lirima, and Cancosa.
Its original name means “Flower in the Sand” and in pre-Columbian times was inhabited by diverse cultures and who were part of the Inca Trail and was resting area and relaxation zone of the Andean world.
Currently, the town of Pica is recognized for its climate that allows fruits production with exceptional quality. Formerly the most recognized were the vineyards, with a production of Oporto wine that was exported outside the region. Grapes gave way to other fruits as oranges, lemons -better known as Limón de Pica-, guavas, and handles to have the sweetest mangos I’ve ever eaten in my life!
Huge mango and orange trees in the streets surrounding the village houses of traditional construction make this place a must-see in the area.
In addition to agriculture, the area has historic interest and nearby you can visit geoglyphs dating from pre-Hispanic times and the remains of the Saltpeter Works of Humberstone and Santa Laura.
What to do in Pica
- Enjoy a natural ice cream
- Take a mango juice
- Bathe in the hot springs
- Eat some Guayaba cake
- Try the typical homemade cakes called alfajores
How to get there
From Iquique, you can arrive by private car or buses that run daily between those cities.
Buses are located just in front of the Market Centenario, they cost $ 2500
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