Province · Coquimbo Region
# Choapa Province

Choapa Province is a province of Chile in Coquimbo Region. It had an estimated 95,970 people in 2022 on 10,126 km² (about 9.5 per km²). Its main town is Illapel. It is divided into 4 communes. 301 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 554 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.
- 95,970 people (2022)
- 10,126 km²
- 4 communes
- 554 mapped services

## How many people live in Choapa Province?

Choapa Province had an estimated 95,970 people in 2022 — 11.2% of Coquimbo Region, 38th of 56 provinces. There are 1,019 women for every 1,000 men (below the Coquimbo Region figure of 1,042). Spread over 10,126 km², that is about 9.5 people per km², 39th of 56 provinces.

19.4% of people are children under 15 and 16.4% are 65 or older; the median age is about 39 years (it is 36 across Coquimbo Region). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 56 children and older people.
- 0–4 5,284
- 5–9 6,445
- 10–14 6,854
- 15–19 5,182
- 20–24 4,863
- 25–29 6,489
- 30–34 7,522
- 35–39 6,595
- 40–44 6,345
- 45–49 6,442
- 50–54 6,332
- 55–59 6,338
- 60–64 5,499
- 65–69 5,076
- 70–74 3,822
- 75–79 2,900
- 80+ 3,982

Source: UNFPA and Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas de Chile (INE) via OCHA HDX, population 2022 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO).

## Where is Choapa Province?

Choapa Province lies in Coquimbo Region, Chile. It borders 3 other provinces: Limarí Province, Petorca Province and San Felipe Province. By area it is the 23rd largest of 56 provinces in Chile. It covers 25.0% of Coquimbo Region. The centre of Choapa Province is about 197 km in a straight line from Santiago, the capital. It is about 202 km from La Serena, the main town of Coquimbo Region. The centre point is at 31.7119° S, 71.0038° W.

Source: La Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile (BCN) via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO).

## Things to see in and around Choapa Province

OpenStreetMap lists 55 named sights in Choapa Province: 15 viewpoints; 9 nature reserves; 9 beachs; 6 archaeological sites; 5 museums; 5 attractions; 3 monuments; 1 waterfall; 1 cave; 1 aquarium.
- Bodegón Cultural Los Vilos · museum
- Casa de la Cultura de Illapel · museum
- Museo Arte Rupestre Monte Aranda · museum
- Museo Salamanca · museum
- Museo del Cobre Andrónico Luksic Abaroa · museum
- Conchales · archaeological site
- Petroglifos El Bato · archaeological site
- Petroglifos Los Perales · archaeological site
- Petroglifos de Tilama · archaeological site
- Sendero Arqueológico El Coligüe · archaeological site
- Zona Paleontológica Sitio Paleoindio de Quereo · archaeological site
- Cascada quebrada de Cárcamo · waterfall
- Hacienda El Durazno · nature reserve
- Humedal Urbano de Pichidangui · nature reserve
- Parque Los Penitentes · nature reserve
- Reserva Nacional Las Chinchillas · nature reserve
- Santuario de la Naturaleza Quebrada Llau Llau · nature reserve
- Santuario de la Naturaleza Raja de Manquehua y Poza Azul · nature reserve
- Santuario de la Naturaleza y Sitio Ramsar Laguna Conchalí · nature reserve
- Santuario de la Naturaleza Área de Palma Chilena de Monte Aranda · nature reserve
- Sitio Ramsar-RHRAP Sector Semiárido Costero y Humedal Las Salinas de Huentelauquén · nature reserve
- Playa Agua Dulce · beach
- Playa Agua de la Zorra · beach
- Playa Costa Dorada · beach
- Playa Costa Dorada Sur · beach
- Playa El Negro · beach
- Playa El Peñón (Las Cardas) · beach
- Playa La Cachina · beach
- Playa Maitencillo · beach
- Playa Quilicura · beach

…and 25 more.

Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements.

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

## Know before you go: Choapa Province
- Time zone UTC−3 (summer UTC−4) · America/Santiago
- Currency Peso (CLP)
- Country calling code +56
- Languages Spanish
- Plug types Type C, L · 220 V
- Driving side Right
- Postcode format 7 digits (#######)

### Nearest airports
- Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) · Santiago 188 km
- La Florida Airport (LSC) · La Serena-Coquimbo 201 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 14.2 hours, sunrise around 06:33) and shortest in Jun (about 10.1 hours, sunrise around 08:41, sunset around 18:46).

Source: GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03; OurAirports (public domain).

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.

## Communes of Choapa Province
| Commune | People | per km² | Area km² | Localities | Services |
| Illapel | 32,949 | 13 | 2,628 | 97 | 156 |
| Salamanca | 29,560 | 8.6 | 3,447 | 65 | 142 |
| Los Vilos | 23,924 | 13 | 1,856 | 64 | 193 |
| Canela | 9,537 | 4.3 | 2,196 | 89 | 63 |

Source: La Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile (BCN) via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO); UNFPA and Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas de Chile (INE) via OCHA HDX, population 2022 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO).

## Villages and localities in Choapa Province

Open gazetteers list 301 villages, towns and localities in Choapa Province. The largest with a recorded population: Illapel (22,816), Los Vilos (18,275), Salamanca (13,265), Canela (9,182) and Huentelauquén (1,290). Settlements here lie between about 10 m and 1,995 m above sea level (median 428 m).
- Agua Amarilla
- Agua Dulce
- Agua Fría
- Agua Fría Alta
- Agua Fría Baja
- Aguada
- Alcaparrosa Alta
- Algarrobo
- Alhuemilla
- Almendrillo
- Altecura
- Angelmó
- Angostura
- Angostura de Gálvez
- Arboleda
- Arboleda Grande
- Areacena Ramos
- Asiento Viejo
- Aucó
- Bahía Azul
- Barraco
- Barranca de la Canela
- Barrio Alto
- Batuco
- Cabra Corral
- Cabrería
- Caimanes
- Caleta Maitencillo
- Caleta Puerto Manso
- Caleta Totoralillo
- Cancha Brava
- Cancha La Unión
- Canela
- Canela Alta
- Canela Baja
- Canela del Medio
- Canelilla
- Canelillo Alto
- Canelillo Bajo
- Carquindaño Alto
- Carquindaño Bajo
- Carén
- Casa de Lata
- Cascabeles Cordillera
- Cascabeles Norte
- Cascabeles Sur
- Casuto
- Cavilolén
- Caviolén
- Cerro Blanco
- Cerros Quemados
- Chacay
- Chalinga
- Chalinguita
- Chigualoco
- Chillepin
- Chillepín
- Chillán
- Chipana
- Choapa
- Chuchini
- Chuchiñí
- Coirón
- Colliguay
- Colonia Alta
- Comunidad y Progreso
- Conchalí
- Condominio Agua Dulce
- Condominio Doña Sofía
- Condominio Los Naranjos
- Coyontagua
- Coyuntagua Norte
- Coyuntagua Sur
- Culimo
- Cuncumén
- Cunlagua
- Cuz Cuz Bajo
- Cuzcuz
- Cárcamo
- De Los Hurtados
- Don Alberto
- Doña Juana
- El Ajial
- El Ajicito
- El Almendrillo
- El Almendro
- El Arrayán
- El Balcón
- El Bato
- El Boldo
- El Bosque
- El Chilcal
- El Chiñe
- El Colihue
- El Césped
- El Durazno
- El Espino
- El Llano
- El Maitén Norte
- El Maitén Sur
- El Manzano
- El Mauro
- El Mirador
- El Pangue
- El Paquial
- El Pedernal
- El Peral
- El Piche
- El Pimiento
- El Potrero
- El Queñe
- El Queñe Norte
- El Queñe Sur
- El Rincón
- El Romero
- El Señor de la Tierra
- El Socavón
- El Talhuén
- El Tambo
- El Tebal
- El Tomé
- El Totoral
- El Zapallar
- El Zapallo
- Ensenada
- Espíritu Santo
- Ex Estación Aucó
- Fasico Bajo
- Gauchal
- Guangualí
- Hacienda El Durazno
- Hermanos Carrera
- Higuerilla
- Horno
- Huanque
- Huentelauquén
- Huentelauquén Norte
- Huentelauquén Sur
- Huinchigualleo
- Huintil
- Huintil Norte
- Illapel
- Ilta
- Infiernillo
- Jabonería
- Jorquera
- La Aguada
- La Angostura
- La Brunina
- La Capilla
- La Colonia
- La Cordillerita
- La Cortadera
- La Garza
- La Higuera
- La Hondura
- La Huiguerilla
- La Mostaza
- La Palma
- La Parrita
- La Posada
- La Quemada
- La Raya
- La Ubilla
- Lanco
- Lanco Alto
- Las Acacias
- Las Astas
- Las Barrancas
- Las Cañas
- Las Cañas Oriente
- Las Cañas de Michío
- Las Jarillas
- Las Lajas
- Las Majadas
- Las Majaditas
- Las Mollacas
- Las Palmas
- Las Paredes
- Las Pircas
- Las Tazas
- Las Trancas
- Las Vacas
- Lautaro
- Limahuida
- Limáhuida
- Linares
- Lindavista
- Llimpo
- Lo Claudio
- Lo Varoli
- Los Azules
- Los Canelos
- Los Cristales
- Los Cóndores
- Los Guindos
- Los Llanos
- Los Loros
- Los Maquis
- Los Pantanos
- Los Perales
- Los Pozos
- Los Ranchos
- Los Rulos
- Los Tomes
- Los Vilos
- Losa Las Luisas
- Loteo Llanos de Canela
- Maitencillo
- Manquehua
- Manuel Rodríguez
- Manuel de Gerotizaga
- Martinillo
- Matancilla
- Millahue
- Mincha
- Mincha Norte
- Mincha Sur
- Mineral Chillán
- Moraleda
- Mundo Nuevo
- Navarro
- Nueva Esperanza
- Ochoquebradas
- Palo Colorado
- Palo Negro
- Pangalillo
- Panguecillo
- Peralillo
- Pichidangui
- Pintacura
- Pintacura Norte
- Pintacura Sur
- Placilla
- Planta Peladeros
- Población Cañahual
- Población Coyhaique
- Población El Molino
- Población La Florida
- Población Lautaro
- Población Nuevo Barrio Alto
- Población del Llano
- Polígono
- Poza Honda
- Puerto Oscuro
- Punta Nueva
- Pupío
- Quebrada Lo Muñoz
- Quebrada de Cárcamo
- Quebrada de Ilta
- Quebrada de Llapín
- Quebrada de Lucumán
- Quebrada de Marcelo
- Quebrada de Michío
- Quebrada de Pérez
- Quebrada de Quilmenco
- Quelén
- Quelén Alto
- Quelén Alto Sur
- Quelén Bajo
- Quelón
- Quilimarí
- Quillaicillo
- Quilmenco
- Rabaluba
- Radicano
- Ramadilla
- Ranque
- Ranqui
- Ribera Norte
- Rinconada
- Rocas de San Andrés
- Río Mar
- Salamanca
- San Agustín
- Santa Inés
- Santa Rosa
- Santa Virginia
- Señor de la Tierra
- Sifón - Lo Muñoz Bajo
- Socavón Alto
- Socavón Bajo
- Socavón Centro
- Subida El Peral
- Tahuinco
- Tilama
- Tipay
- Totoralillo
- Tranquilla
- Tunga Norte
- Tunga Sur
- Tunga de Petorca
- Villa El Bosque
- Villa El Faro
- Villa Los Naranjos
- Villa Nuevo Milenio
- Villa Padre Alberto Hurtado
- Villa San Rafael
- Villa Santa Virginia
- Yerba Loca
- Zapallar

Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features; © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements.

## Landscape and landmarks of Choapa Province

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

### Water

170 rivers and streams; 3 reservoirs and tanks; 1 lake.
- Caballos
- Cajón Infiernillo
- Corrales Dam
- El Bato Dam
- Embalse Culimo
- Estero Aucó
- Estero Barraza
- Estero Burras
- Estero Camisas
- Estero Canaleta
- Estero Canela
- Estero Cavilolén
- Estero Cenicero
- Estero Chañar
- Estero Chigualoco
- Estero Colorado
- Estero Conchali
- Estero Corico
- Estero Cunlagua
- Estero Cuzco del Choapa
- Estero Durazno
- Estero La Canela
- Estero Limáhuida
- Estero Llano Largo

…and 150 more.

### Coast and islands

19 headlands; 2 islands.
- Cabo Tablas
- Isla Huevos
- Isla Lilenes
- Punta Arrayán
- Punta Burro
- Punta Canela
- Punta Huentelauquén
- Punta Huesos
- Punta Lautaro
- Punta Lobería
- Punta Lobos
- Punta Lobos
- Punta Pechoñas
- Punta Penitente
- Punta Peñón
- Punta Pozo
- Punta Quelén
- Punta Salinas
- Punta Tomás
- Punta Ventana
- Punta Ventanas

### Hills and mountains

193 mountains; 23 mountain passes; 7 hills; 3 peaks.
- Cerro Volcán · 4,584 m
- Paso de las Ojotas · 4,352 m
- Cerro de Los Burros · 4,254 m
- Cerro El Horno · 4,148 m
- Cerro Canaleta · 4,106 m
- Cerro Negro · 4,067 m
- Cerro Bayo · 4,036 m
- Cerro Barracita · 4,018 m
- Cerro El Escondido · 4,009 m
- Paso del Mercedario · 3,992 m
- Cerro Los Pitihues · 3,990 m
- Paso Rinconada del Yunque · 3,935 m
- Portezuelo del Alitre · 3,935 m
- Paso Casa de Piedra · 3,860 m
- Cerro Cascajales · 3,833 m
- Morro Morado · 3,823 m
- Divisadero Sur · 3,813 m
- Paso del Cencerro · 3,784 m
- Cerro Fredes · 3,783 m
- Paso de Puentecillas · 3,734 m
- Cerro Piuquenes · 3,726 m
- Portezuelo del Portillo · 3,705 m
- Cerro El Cuzco · 3,698 m
- Paso de Cerro Blanco · 3,695 m

…and 202 more.

### Getting around

11 railway stations; 5 airports; 1 airfield; 1 lighthouse.
- Aeródromo Pichidangui
- Caleta Hornos Airport
- Estación Alcaparrosa
- Estación Aucó
- Estación Cavilolén
- Estación Choapa
- Estación La Vacas
- Estación Las Cañas
- Estación Limáhuida
- Illapel Aucó Airport
- Ingeniero Barriga
- Isla Huevos Lighthouse
- Las Brujas Airport
- Los Loros
- Pichidangui
- Pichidangui Airport
- Salamanca Los Pelmabres Airport
- Tahuinco

Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features.

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

## Weather in Choapa Province and the best time to visit

In Choapa Province, the warmest month is Jan (average 20 °C) and the coolest is Jul (11 °C). About 195 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jun (47 mm) and the driest Jan (3 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 | 20 | 3 |
| Feb | 20 | 3 |
| Mar | 19 | 3 |
| Apr | 17 | 8 |
| May | 14 | 35 |
| Jun | 12 | 47 |
| Jul | 11 | 37 |
| Aug | 12 | 32 |
| Sep | 13 | 10 |
| Oct | 15 | 9 |
| Nov | 17 | 5 |
| Dec | 19 | 3 |

Source: NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29.

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Choapa Province

Places mapped inside Choapa Province in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations.
- Hospitals 16
- Banks 16
- Petrol pumps 20
- Hotels 90
- Shopping malls 9
- Schools 154
- Colleges and universities 3
- Cinemas 2
- Pharmacies 19
- Restaurants 201
- Police stations 9
- Dental clinics 15

Source: Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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

## Quick answers
- Where is Choapa Province? In Coquimbo Region, Chile
- What is the population of Choapa Province? 95,970 (2022 estimate)
- What is the median age in Choapa Province? About 39 years (2022 estimate)
- What is the population density of Choapa Province? About 9.5 people per km²
- What borders Choapa Province? Limarí Province, Petorca Province and San Felipe Province
- What is there to see in Choapa Province? Artesania En Cuarzo, Bodegón Cultural Los Vilos, Caleta Los Vilos, Casa de la Cultura de Illapel
- What time zone is Choapa Province in? UTC−3 (summer UTC−4)
- What currency is used in Choapa Province? Peso (CLP)
- What language is spoken in Choapa Province? Spanish (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Choapa Province? 301 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Choapa Province? Settlements lie between 10 m and 1,995 m
- How many reservoirs and tanks are in Choapa Province? 3 named in GeoNames
- What is the highest point in Choapa Province? Cerro Volcán (4,584 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Choapa Province? January to December
- How many hospitals are in Choapa Province? 16 mapped
- How many banks are in Choapa Province? 16 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Choapa Province? 20 mapped
- What is the P-code of Choapa Province? CL042 (OCHA common operational dataset)

At a glance
- Type: Province
- Area: 10,126.2 km²
- P-code: CL042
- Region: Coquimbo Region
- Main town: Illapel

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Canonical: https://wherepedia.org/chile/coquimbo/choapa/ · Updated 2026-11-03 · Data: national censuses and statistics offices (sources named in each section); © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); Overture Maps; GeoNames; NASA POWER.