Pan de Azúcar National Park, National park in Antofagasta Province, Chile

Pan de Azúcar National Park is a coastal reserve stretching across arid terrain between the Antofagasta and Atacama regions, where desert landscapes meet the Pacific Ocean. The park combines dry interior areas with rocky coastal sections and small fishing settlements.

The park was established in 1985 to protect the natural heritage of the Atacama Desert coastline. Its creation marked an important step in preserving the region's ecosystems.

The fishing community at Pan de Azúcar Cove continues its traditional boat practices and offers trips to watch marine life. You can see how the fishermen work and feel their connection to the ocean as part of daily life here.

The main access is Route C-120, a stabilized dirt road running 29 km from Chañaral past Playa Los Piqueros to Caleta Pan de Azúcar; the control gate sits at km 18. Two other entries leave Route 5 Norte at km 968 and km 1014, the latter via gravel roads C-112 and C-110. Camping is allowed only at Playa Piqueros, Playa Soldado and Caleta; the next fuel north is Agua Verde, 140 km away.

The park's cactarium, in the CONAF environmental office facing Los Piqueros Beach about 8 km from the park entrance, gathers Copiapoa cacti such as Copiapoa cinerascens, C. cinerea and C. budwillii. Of the more than 27 cactus species recorded in the park, 21 are endemic to this stretch of coast.