Known for its vineyards, cheese and succulent fruits and vegetables, the Limarí Valley is an agricultural oasis in the middle of the Atacama Desert. This rich valley first was first cultivated thousands of years ago by ancient indigenous desert tribes, and to this day remains a hub for traditional celebrations and an excellent place to visit archeological sites.
 

Limarí is located in Chile’s Coquimbo Region and is divided into five sectors. The capital of the province is Ovalle, which is well known for its cuisine and festivals.

Ovalle is also one of the best places in the region to sample its delicious produce. Feria Modelo, which is one of the largest fresh markets in the country, has over 300 vendors and offers a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, dried fruits and cheeses. It’s housed in the town’s old train yard, is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 

The Museo Arqueológico de Limarí (Limarí Archeological Museum) can also be found in Ovalle. Accodring to Daniela Serani, the museum’s director, the Limarí province “is important archeologically due to its large number of relics and sites from the Molle, Anima and Diaguita indigenous people.”
 

The museum has a large collection of more than 700 pre-Hispanic pieces, including a significant display of ceramics pottery. “Most of this pottery is from the Diaguita people, and shows a vast array of unique designs, and abstract and symmetrical patterns that are of high value to archeologists, and is a major attraction to the area for travelers interested in indigenous culture,” Serani added.
 

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, and entry is around 1 dollar or 600 Chilean pesos.
 

Just twenty kilometers southeast from Ovalle – via Ruta D-45 Socos-Ovalle – one can find the Valle del Encanto National Monument. This fascinating archeological site is the remnants of a 4000-year old indigenous settlement of hunters and gatherers. Located along a narrow ravine, visitors will be amazed by its petroglyphs, cave art and ‘piedras tacitas’ (sculpted stone cups).
 

Fray Jorge National Park, which is an UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, is located in the coastal area of Limarí. It’s an ideal place to see the region’s unique flora and fauna and enjoy activities such as hiking, backpacking and horseback riding. The park has also recently been recognized as a Starlight Reserve for the unsurpassed clarity of its nighttime sky.

 Within the park, you can also visit the Termas de Socos hot springs, and after a long day exploring the par, there is little else more enjoyable than relaxing in these warm thermal waters. The park is located 90 kilometers west from Ovalle via Ruta D-505
 

Finally, no visit to Limarí would be complete without a trip into wine country via Ruta del Vino Limarí (Limarí Wine Route). The valley’s climate is ideal for vineyards and consistently produces top quality wines, both from boutique wineries and large-scale international producers. It’s a great way to cap off any trip to this culturally and agriculturally rich region of Chile.