Around 40 kilometres from the border with Chile the frontier town of Tacna, which belonged to Chile for almost 50 years before it was returned to Peru in 1929, is an important commercial centre and a free trade zone (zona franca) surrounded by desert and, where irrigation permits, vineyards and olive groves. The town has plenty of restaurants and accommodation if you should wish to stop over here as well as some interesting museums to while away the time. It also boasts a Teatro Municipal, which is well worth a gander especially if you combine it with a performance, and a cathedral designed by Gustave Eiffel. During the last week of August the city hosts the Semana de Tacna (Tacna Week) when its inhabitants celebrate the city’s return to Peruvian rule.

Just over 20 kilometres from town are the San Francisco De Miculla petroglyphs, which depict hunting and fighting scenes, and nearby are the thermal springs of Calientes, which become crowded with locals on weekends, and a handful of wineries. Some 50 kiometres west of Tacna is the popular beach resort of Boca del Rio.