# Caldera Commune, Copiapó Province, Atacama Region – Population

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/chile/atacama/copiapo/caldera/

Commune · Copiapó Province 

# Caldera

Caldera is a commune of Chile in Copiapó Province, Atacama Region. It had an estimated **19,746 people** in 2022 on 3,699 km² (about 5.3 per km²). 31 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 163 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 19,746people (2022)
- 3,699km²
- 163mapped services
- 44 mtypical elevation

## How many people live in Caldera?

Caldera had an estimated **19,746 people** in 2022 — 9.5% of Copiapó Province, 175th of 345 communes. There are 968 women for every 1,000 men (below the Copiapó Province figure of 983). Spread over 3,699 km², that is about **5.3 people per km²**, 290th of 345 communes.

21.6% of people are children under 15 and 12.0% are 65 or older; the median age is about 35 years (it is 34 across Copiapó Province). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 51 children and older people.

0–4 ****1,201**

5–9 ****1,504**

10–14 ****1,562**

15–19 ****1,241**

20–24 ****1,212**

25–29 ****1,408**

30–34 ****1,641**

35–39 ****1,443**

40–44 ****1,283**

45–49 ****1,153**

50–54 ****1,229**

55–59 ****1,325**

60–64 ****1,182**

65–69 ****929**

70–74 ****611**

75–79 ****371**

80+ ****451**

Source: [UNFPA and Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas de Chile (INE) via OCHA HDX, population 2022 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-chl).

## Where is Caldera?

Caldera lies in [Copiapó Province](https://wherepedia.org/chile/atacama/copiapo/), [Atacama Region](https://wherepedia.org/chile/atacama/), [Chile](https://wherepedia.org/chile/). It borders 2 other communes: [Chañaral](https://wherepedia.org/chile/atacama/chanaral/chanaral/) and [Copiapó](https://wherepedia.org/chile/atacama/copiapo/copiapo/). By area it is the 48th largest of 345 communes in Chile. It covers 11.3% of [Copiapó Province](https://wherepedia.org/chile/atacama/copiapo/). The centre of Caldera is about 691 km in a straight line from Santiago, the capital. It is about 49 km from Copiapó, the main town of Copiapó Province. The centre point is at 27.2401° S, 70.8078° W.

Source: [La Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile (BCN) via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-chl).

## Things to see in and around Caldera

OpenStreetMap lists 46 named sights in Caldera: 14 viewpoints; 10 attractions; 8 nature reserves; 7 beachs; 2 museums; 2 memorials; 2 archaeological sites; 1 castle or fort.

- Museo Casa Tornini · museum
- Museo Paleontológico de Caldera · museum
- Choza Changa · archaeological site
- Petroglifos Las Lisas · archaeological site
- Fortaleza Esmeralda · castle or fort
- Bien Nacional Protegido Isla Grande · nature reserve
- Bien Nacional Protegido Punta Morro - Desembocadura Río Copiapó · nature reserve
- Bien Nacional Protegido Quebrada Leones · nature reserve
- Bien Nacional Protegido Yacimiento Paleontológico Cerro Ballena · nature reserve
- Parque Paleontológico Los Dedos · nature reserve
- Reserva Natural Municipal Granito Orbicular · nature reserve
- Santuario de la Naturaleza Desembocadura Río Copiapó · nature reserve
- Santuario de la Naturaleza Granito Orbicular · nature reserve
- Chorrillos · beach
- Playa Blanca · beach
- Playa Blanca · beach
- Playa La Virgen · beach
- Playa Las Agatas · beach
- Playa Los Bolones · beach
- Playa de Bolones · beach
- Bahía de Caldera · viewpoint
- Estuario Río Copiapó · viewpoint
- La Montura · viewpoint
- Mirador · viewpoint
- Mirador Aguada de Chorrillos · viewpoint
- Mirador Bahía Cisne · viewpoint
- Mirador Bellavista · viewpoint
- Mirador Cruz de Mayo · viewpoint
- Pircas del Morro · viewpoint
- Playa Bahia Inglesa · viewpoint

…and 16 more.

Source: [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: Caldera

- Time zoneUTC−3 (summer UTC−4) · America/Santiago
- CurrencyPeso (CLP)
- Country calling code+56
- LanguagesSpanish
- Plug typesType C, L · 220 V
- Driving sideRight
- Postcode format7 digits (#######)

### Nearest airports

- Desierto de Atacama Airport (CPO) · Copiapo3.7 km
- Ricardo García Posada Airport (ESR) · El Salvador146 km

### Nearest railway station

EstaciónEstación de Monte Amargo de trenes de copiapó (Copiapó), about 13 km from the centre.

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 13.8 hours, sunrise around 06:43) and shortest in Jun (about 10.4 hours, sunrise around 08:30, sunset around 18:56).

Source: [GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0)](https://www.geonames.org/); [Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03](https://www.wikidata.org/); [OurAirports (public domain)](https://ourairports.com/data/).

Airports with scheduled passenger flights; straight-line distances. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of each month in local standard time. Check entry and visa rules with official government sources before travelling.

## Villages and localities in Caldera

Open gazetteers list **31 villages, towns and localities** in Caldera. The largest with a recorded population: Caldera (16,150). Settlements here lie between about 11 m and 805 m above sea level (median 44 m).

- Agua
- Algarrobo
- Bahía Inglesa
- Bahía Loreto
- Bahía Salada
- Barranquilla
- Burro Muerto
- Caldera
- Calderilla
- Caleta Cisne
- Caleta Los Patos
- Caleta Maldonado
- Caleta Obispito
- Comunidad Amigos del Mar
- Comunidad Inti Wañuy
- Galleguillos
- Las Terrazas de Bahía
- Loteo Alto Bahía
- María Isabel
- Mirador de Charito
- Nueva Caldera
- Playa La Virgen
- Playa Los Patos
- Puerto Viejo
- Pulpito
- Pulpo
- Punta Obispito
- Rocas Negras
- Rodillo
- Villa Las Dunas
- Villa Las Playas

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/); [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

## Landscape and landmarks of Caldera

Named natural and historic features inside Caldera, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

1 river or stream.

- Río Copiapó

### Coast and islands

29 headlands; 4 islands; 2 beaches.

- Isla García
- Isla Grande
- Isla Ruky
- Islote Ramadas
- Playa Blanca
- Playa de Maldonado
- Punta Bandurrias
- Punta Barranquillas
- Punta Cabeza de Vaca
- Punta Caldera
- Punta Caldereta
- Punta Calderilla
- Punta Caleta
- Punta Dallas
- Punta Este
- Punta Ester
- Punta Francisco
- Punta Frödden
- Punta Fuerte
- Punta Hardy
- Punta Hüber
- Punta Lagarto
- Punta Lomas
- Punta Luco

…and 11 more.

### Hills and mountains

19 mountains; 16 hills; 2 mountain passes.

- Cerro Morado · 1,784 m
- Cerro Moradito · 1,772 m
- Cerro Galleguillos · 1,557 m
- Cerro Algarrobo · 1,287 m
- Cerro Negro de Pastenes · 1,137 m
- Cerro Roco · 770 m
- Cerro Negro · 756 m
- Cerro Obispo · 750 m
- Cerro Cuestecillas · 603 m
- Cerro Las Vacas · 583 m
- Cerro Grande de Chascón · 561 m
- Cerro Áspero · 489 m
- Cerro Chascón · 454 m
- Cerro La Diuca · 413 m
- Cerro Las Vacas · 378 m
- Punta Algarrobo · 367 m
- Cerro Campanita · 362 m
- Cerro Lomas Negras · 339 m
- Morro Copiapó · 332 m
- Punta Veta Blanca · 331 m
- Cerro Montevideo · 325 m
- Morro Chasconcito · 306 m
- Cerro Los Bayitos · 303 m
- Portezuelo El Tiuque · 262 m

…and 13 more.

### History

1 ruin.

- San Bartolo

### Getting around

4 railway stations; 2 ports; 1 airport; 1 lighthouse.

- Alto del Fraile
- Caldera Railway Station (historical)
- Carpa Número Dos
- Carpa Número Uno
- Desierto de Atacama Airport
- Puerto Calderilla
- Puerto de Caldera
- Punta Caldera Lighthouse

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/).

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in Caldera and the best time to visit

Using the climate of Copiapó Province, the warmest month is Jan (average 25 °C) and the coolest is Jul (18 °C), after allowing for this place being about 837 m lower than the climate reference point (about 6.5 °C per 1,000 m). About 41 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jun (7 mm) and the driest Oct (1 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **January to December**.

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 25 3 

Feb 25 3 

Mar 24 3 

Apr 23 2 

May 20 5 

Jun 19 7 

Jul 18 6 

Aug 19 5 

Sep 21 2 

Oct 22 1 

Nov 24 2 

Dec 24 2 

Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/).

## Nearest hospital, bank and fuel from Caldera

Need Nearest mapped Distance 

Hospital Veterinaria municipal, Caldera · Caldera 19 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-27.07056&mlon=-70.81817#map=17/-27.07056/-70.81817) 

Bank Balneario Bahía Inglesa BancoEstado · Caldera 16 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-27.10096&mlon=-70.85626#map=17/-27.10096/-70.85626) 

Petrol pump Copec · Caldera 17 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-27.09028&mlon=-70.80115#map=17/-27.09028/-70.80115) 

Hotel Cabañas Playa Paraíso · Caldera 13 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-27.14335&mlon=-70.88393#map=17/-27.14335/-70.88393) 

Mall Galería Cousiño · Caldera 19 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-27.06853&mlon=-70.82074#map=17/-27.06853/-70.82074) 

School Escuela José Joaquín Vallejos · Caldera 11 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-27.33485&mlon=-70.78053#map=17/-27.33485/-70.78053) 

College Centro y Escuela de Buceo · Caldera 14 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-27.14186&mlon=-70.89855#map=17/-27.14186/-70.89855) 

Police station Subcomisaria IAT y Tenencia Carretera Atacama Norte · Copiapó 17 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-27.34932&mlon=-70.68283#map=17/-27.34932/-70.68283) 

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Straight-line distance from the centre of the division, within 40 km.

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Caldera

Places mapped inside Caldera in open map data, by type.

- Hospitals1
- Banks6
- Petrol pumps4
- Hotels58
- Shopping malls2
- Schools12
- Colleges and universities2
- Pharmacies4
- Restaurants70
- Police stations3
- Dental clinics1

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Other communes in Copiapó Province

- Copiapó
- Tierra Amarilla

## Quick answers

- Where is Caldera?In Copiapó Province, Atacama Region, Chile
- What is the population of Caldera?19,746 (2022 estimate)
- What is the median age in Caldera?About 35 years (2022 estimate)
- What is the population density of Caldera?About 5.3 people per km²
- What borders Caldera?Chañaral and Copiapó
- What is there to see in Caldera?Antiguo Terminal de Hierro, Bahía de Caldera, Bien Nacional Protegido Isla Grande, Bien Nacional Protegido Punta Morro - Desembocadura Río Copiapó
- What time zone is Caldera in?UTC−3 (summer UTC−4)
- What currency is used in Caldera?Peso (CLP)
- What language is spoken in Caldera?Spanish (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Caldera?31 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Caldera?Settlements lie between 11 m and 805 m
- What is the highest point in Caldera?Cerro Morado (1,784 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Caldera?January to December
- Where is the nearest hospital to Caldera?Veterinaria municipal, Caldera, about 19 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest bank to Caldera?Balneario Bahía Inglesa BancoEstado, about 16 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest petrol pump to Caldera?Copec, about 17 km from the centre
- How many hospitals are in Caldera?1 mapped
- How many banks are in Caldera?6 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Caldera?4 mapped
- What is the P-code of Caldera?CL03102 (OCHA common operational dataset)