How to make friends in La Serena and Coquimbo if you're new
· Callumbra
La Serena and Coquimbo form a single urban area that welcomes newcomers all year round: students, people moving for work and those looking for a calmer life by the sea. Arriving is exciting, but building a group of friends from scratch is hard. These ideas work whether you come from another part of Chile or from another country.
Many people are new too
With universities and institutes in the area, lots of people are in the same situation as you: just arrived and keen to meet others. If you're studying, go to welcome activities, workshops and sports teams even if you don't feel like it at first. If you're not, there are still plenty of activities open to anyone.
Activities where it's easy to meet people
- Outdoor sports: running, cycling or walking along the coastal promenade between La Serena and Coquimbo.
- Hiking groups or weekend trips to the surroundings, such as the Elqui Valley.
- Beach or water sports, if you like them: many clubs run beginner groups.
- Art, music, dance or photography workshops at cultural centers.
- Volunteering: besides helping, you meet people with similar values.
Repeat so friendship can grow
Friendship comes from seeing the same people again and again. Pick one or two weekly activities and stick with them instead of trying something different each week. By the third or fourth time, suggesting a coffee or a walk afterwards no longer feels forced.
Use the internet to take the first step
Look for groups for your neighborhood, university or favorite activity on social media and see what they organize.
A short video call before meeting in person helps you see whether you get along, without arranging a meetup with a total stranger.
If you meet someone you met online
- Talk several times first, ideally on video.
- Choose a busy public place for the first meetup and tell someone where you'll be.
- Get there and back on your own.
A way to start today
On Callumbra you can talk to real people on video from your browser, with nothing to install. There's no city filter, but there is a country filter, so you can choose to talk with people from Chile. It's 18+ only.
Frequently asked questions
Is it hard to make friends in La Serena as a newcomer?
It takes time at first, as in any city. What helps most is repeating one or two activities every week: seeing the same people often is what turns acquaintances into friends.