On my journey to Santiago, the capital of Chile, I traveled from Tacna in Peru. I took a bus from the Arica terminal to Iquique, staying there for a couple of days before continuing to Santiago.
While you don't need to book bus tickets in advance as there are frequent departures starting from 5:00 AM, booking a day prior is recommended. This ensures you get a seat, especially if you prefer lower-deck seats. Lower-deck seats are generally more spacious and comfortable, hence the slightly higher price of 16,000 pesos (approximately $16) compared to the upper-deck seats at 14,000 pesos (approximately $14).
