La Portada, Antofagasta

A reminder of what early seafarers faced upon reaching the South American coastline, La Portada is one of fifteen protected natural monuments in Chile. The rock arch is just over 40 m (140 ft) high and 70 m (230 ft) long, featuring a black andesite base and layers of shell fossils dating back several million years. Dramatic coastal cliffs surround the arch and act as a significant observation site for indigenous birds including Peruvian booby, kelp gulls, pelicans, cormorants, and Inca terns. Occasionally, visitors also spot dolphins and South American fur seals. Use our Antofagasta trip planner to visit La Portada on your trip to Antofagasta, and learn what else travelers and our writers recommend seeing nearby.