{"id":234527,"date":"2025-06-16T21:54:18","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T19:54:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/under-chiles-stars-coquimbo-a-certified-starlight-destination\/"},"modified":"2025-06-16T21:54:58","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T19:54:58","slug":"under-chiles-stars-coquimbo-a-certified-starlight-destination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/under-chiles-stars-coquimbo-a-certified-starlight-destination\/","title":{"rendered":"Under Chile\u2019s Stars: Coquimbo, a Certified Starlight Destination"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>At a time when stargazing has become a rare luxury in urban areas, the Coquimbo Region in northern Chile stands out as a model for preserving the quality of the night sky. The observatories <strong>Cruz del Sur<\/strong>, <strong>Mamalluca<\/strong>, and <strong>Collowara <\/strong>have recently been awarded the prestigious Starlight Certification\u2014an international distinction that highlights not only the exceptional quality of their skies but also their commitment to educational and sustainable tourism. <\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Protected Sky, a Heritage to Value<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.fundacionstarlight.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Starlight Certification<\/a>, granted by the foundation of the same name, recognizes areas with exceptionally high-quality night skies that are actively engaged in their preservation. It confirms compliance with rigorous standards regarding darkness, atmospheric transparency, and minimal light pollution\u2014ideal conditions for astronomical observation. <\/p>\n\n<p>Supported by organizations such as <a href=\"https:\/\/whc.unesco.org\/en\/astronomy\/#news\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">UNESCO<\/mark><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unwto.org\/fr\/affiliate-member-organization\/39986\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">UN Tourism<\/mark><\/a>, and the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iau.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"> International Astronomical Union<\/mark><\/a>, this recognition also celebrates the role of local communities in protecting celestial heritage and promoting responsible tourism. Beyond its tourist appeal, these observatories also contribute to scientific research through partnerships and outreach programs. <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:67px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Fundaci\u00f3n Starlight - Preserving the Night Sky ( English Version )\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/su-FEdRtjJw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/obscruzdelsur.cl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cruz del Sur<\/a>: Innovation and Education in Combarbal\u00e1<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"654\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Cruz_del_Sur_Observatorio_Cruz_del_Sur.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-234518\" style=\"width:168px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Cruz_del_Sur_Observatorio_Cruz_del_Sur.webp 654w, https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Cruz_del_Sur_Observatorio_Cruz_del_Sur-245x300.webp 245w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 654px) 100vw, 654px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Located in Combarbal\u00e1, the <strong>Cruz del Sur Observatory<\/strong> is one of the largest in the southern hemisphere. It features four observation domes equipped with high-precision telescopes, a multimedia room, an outdoor amphitheater, and thematic trails that bridge modern astronomy with Andean cosmology, showcasing how pre-Columbian civilizations interpreted the stars.  <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/reservas.observatoriomamalluca.cl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mamalluca<\/a>: A Pioneer of Astrotourism in Vicu\u00f1a<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Mullac_Observatorio_Mamalluc.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-234520\" style=\"width:241px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Mullac_Observatorio_Mamalluc.webp 720w, https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Mullac_Observatorio_Mamalluc-300x200.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Situated in the <strong>Elqui Valley<\/strong>, <strong>Mamalluca <\/strong>was the first Chilean observatory designed specifically to welcome the general public. Its name, from the Quechua language, means \u201cmother who protects\u201d\u2014a fitting metaphor for this space that invites visitors to contemplate the universe under a pristine sky. The observatory offers guided tours and educational activities that combine scientific outreach with an engaging approach to astronomy.  <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.collowara.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Collowara<\/a>: Inclusion and Science in Andacollo<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p>As the first inclusive observatory in the region, <strong>Collowara<\/strong> has adapted its facilities for people with mobility, visual, or hearing impairments. Its mission is twofold: to raise awareness of science and to highlight the deep connections between astronomy and ancestral cultures, especially the <em>Diaguita<\/em>. Located more than 1,300 meters above sea level, it offers breathtaking views of one of the clearest skies in the continent.  <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:52px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p><strong><em>Our article: <a href=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/discover-astrotourism-in-chile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Discover Astrotourism in Chile<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:53px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p>With over 300 clear nights per year and a rapidly expanding tourism infrastructure, the Coquimbo Region is emerging as a leading destination for astrotourism in Latin America. It offers an experience that blends scientific observation, cultural transmission, and a strong commitment to preserving the night sky. <\/p>\n\n<p>Because here, looking up at the stars is more than a leisure activity\u2014it\u2019s an invitation to rediscover our connection to the universe through knowledge, wonder, and shared responsibility.<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><em>Photos: Collowara, Cruz del Sur &amp; Mamalluca Astronomical Observatories<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Coquimbo, in northern Chile, has become a top astrotourism hub with its Starlight-certified observatories and some of the clearest skies on Earth\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":234523,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16783,1],"tags":[22016,17460,22019,22014,22024,17475,22022,22021,22003,22010,22009,22007,22025,22020,22002,22001,22013,22017,22004,22015,22023,22018,22006,22012,22011,22000,17346,22005,22008],"class_list":["post-234527","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-non-classifiee","tag-andacollo","tag-astronomical-tourism","tag-astronomy-travel","tag-celestial-heritage","tag-chile-clear-skies","tag-chile-observatories","tag-collowara","tag-combarbala","tag-coquimbo-region","tag-coquimbo-starry-sky","tag-cruz-del-sur","tag-dark-skies","tag-dark-sky-destinations","tag-educational-tourism","tag-inclusive-observatory-chile","tag-keywords-chile-astrotourism","tag-latin-america-dark-skies","tag-light-pollution-free-sky","tag-mamalluca","tag-public-astronomy","tag-responsible-tourism-chile","tag-science-and-tourism","tag-scientific-tourism-chile","tag-scientific-travel","tag-stargazing","tag-starlight-certification","tag-sustainable-tourism-chile-2","tag-unesco-astrotourism","tag-vicuna-elqui"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/234527","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=234527"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/234527\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":234528,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/234527\/revisions\/234528"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/234523"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=234527"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=234527"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=234527"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}