Antofagasta Region, northern Chile · Chile
An adobe desert oasis beside salt flats, geysers, volcanoes and the clearest night skies on Earth.
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
San Pedro de Atacama is a small oasis of adobe buildings and dusty streets on the edge of the driest non-polar desert in the world. At 2,400 metres, it serves as the base for exploring a landscape of salt flats, volcanoes, lagoons and geysers, all within a few hours of town.
Tours leave at all hours, from sunrise trips to the El Tatio geysers, where steam rises at 4,300 metres, to afternoon excursions to the Valle de la Luna, where sunset turns the rocks red. The Salar de Atacama has flamingo lagoons, and Laguna Cejar and other salt lakes allow floating like in the Dead Sea. At night, the skies are famously clear and local operators run astronomy tours.
The altitude and dryness are real factors, so plan an easy first day, drink water and wear sun protection. Tours are the main way to see the area, though bicycles can reach nearby sights.
Why visit
San Pedro is one of the most dramatic natural destinations in South America.
Dunes, salt flats and volcanoes.
Some of the clearest skies in the world.
El Tatio at sunrise.
Swim in salt water.
Birds in high lagoons.
Main attractions
Most sights are an excursion away from town.
Sand dunes and eroded rock formations, best at sunset.
Tip Book a sunset tour.
A high-altitude geyser field, best at dawn.
Tip Dress warmly.
A salt lagoon where you float.
Tip Shower afterwards.
The largest salt flat in Chile, with flamingos.
Tip Visit Laguna Chaxa.
Turquoise lakes at high altitude.
Tip Take it slowly.
Adobe church and craft shops.
Tip Walk in the cool evening.
Things to do
Book excursions the day before.
At El Tatio.
Tip Wear layers.
At Cejar or Tebinquinche.
Tip Avoid cuts.
Look through telescopes.
Tip Book ahead.
On foot at sunset.
Tip Carry water.
A ruined fortress.
Tip Go early.
At Termas de Puritama.
Tip Book a transfer.
Local food
Food is simple and adapted to high altitude.
Cheese or meat pastries.
Where to try it Bakeries.
Local grain.
Where to try it Restaurants.
A local meat.
Where to try it Restaurants.
Cocktail.
Where to try it Bars.
For altitude.
Where to try it Cafes.
Accommodation
Stay in town or in nearby ayllus.
Transport
San Pedro is reached via Calama.
Tours and bikes.
When to go
Shoulder seasons offer warm days and clear nights.
Warm days and clear skies.
Mild and dry.
Hot with altiplanic rain.
Cold nights, perfect stars.
Worth planning around: January and February, when altiplanic storms can close roads.
Itinerary
Acclimatise and explore.
Rest
Sunset
Salt flats
Sunrise
Travel tips
Prepare for altitude.
FAQ
It can be, rest first.
Three to five days.
Yes, tours add up.
March to May.
Yes in designated ones.
Among the best.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with San Pedro de Atacama, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile
Chile's capital and gateway: Plaza de Armas, La Moneda, Mercado Central, bohemian barrios, hill-top parks and Maipo Valley wineries within an hour.
Don't miss Looking out from Cerro San Cristobal as the Andes glow pink at dusk.
Explore Destination — SantiagoMagallanes Region, Chilean Patagonia, Chile
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in southern Patagonia, famous for the W Trek, the O Circuit, Grey Glacier, guanacos and pumas.
Don't miss Hiking to the base of the three granite towers at sunrise, when they glow red.
Explore Destination — Torres del PaineCoquimbo Region, northern Chile, Chile
A green valley in the Andean foothills with pisco distilleries, observatories, the village of Pisco Elqui, Gabriela Mistral's home and stargazing.
Don't miss Sipping pisco in a village under one of the clearest night skies in the world.
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