Final Up to date on February 11, 2026 by Eve Dawes
San Pedro de Atacama: The Greatest Issues to See & Do
Atacama Desert Chile journey guides will all point out star gazing and the park however there’s additionally a number of different issues to do you must try. It was our final cease in Chile and a advice from one among my nieces. San Pedro de Atacama is a small city set on an arid excessive plateau within the Andes mountains of North Jap Chile. It’s actually distant, a visit again in time, genuine and the place you possibly can e-book probably the most great Atacama Desert stargazing tour. The Atacama Desert Chile dramatic surrounding desert-scape consists of salt flats, volcanoes, geysers and sizzling springs. The exact opposite of the Lake District we’d simply come from. Chile is such a protracted, slim nation, with mountains on one aspect and the ocean on the opposite which makes for a extremely numerous panorama. Whereas nearly all of guests are backpackers, it’s doable to do a luxurious trip within the Atacama desert too. Right here’s a few of my prime recommendations on the place to remain and what to do.
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Is the Atacama Desert value visiting
Whether or not the Atacama Desert is value visiting or not is dependent upon so many elements. In case you’re backpacking in all probability, for those who’re searching for a luxurious trip within the Atacama Desert in all probability not. In case you’ve by no means been to the desert possibly, for those who’re from Vegas or the desert in all probability not.
I feel my expectations had been too excessive for the Atacama Desert and we’ve additionally been spoiled by Dubai, the Grand Canyon and residing in Vegas (Pink Rock and the spectacular sunsets). I used to be anticipating stunning and colourful rock formations, numerous flamingoes, a relaxed breeze, few individuals and primary lodging.
In actuality there have been numerous individuals all over the place. You’ll get severely sandblasted even simply strolling down the street however on the prime of the sand dunes it’s full on microdermabrasion and slaps within the face. On the plus aspect, the city was very distinctive and enjoyable to discover and the resort and meals was a lot better than we had been anticipating.
I’m nonetheless glad we went to the Atacama Desert because it gave us a extra full expertise of genuine Chile and we’d at all times have been questioning what it was like if we’d skipped it. Nonetheless, we undoubtedly most well-liked the Lake District which was so stunning. There was a lot to see and do each there and in Colchagua Valley studying all about Chilean wines.
The one factor we’d have executed in a different way with the Atacama Desert would have been to spend a day much less there. For nature-loving vacationers to South America or for those who haven’t ever been to a desert, I feel you’ll benefit from the San Pedro de Atacama space and exploring it’s lagoons, rock formations and seeing the flamingoes and starry skies.
The right way to get to Atacama Desert?
We got here from the Lake District (9:07 am LATAM flight Puerto Montt to Santiago, approx $54) which meant getting a connecting flight from Santiago (11:44am Santiago to Calama on LATAM approx $58) which took one other 1h 56 minutes.
We’d booked a rental automotive at Calama airport with Funds/Avis and from Calama to San Pedro de Atacama is about an hour drive. The strains had been lengthy and the service painfully sluggish at Funds so go together with one other rental automotive firm if doable.
Lunch en route from Calama to San Pedro De Atacama
If you wish to seize lunch earlier than you drive, the choices are restricted particularly at the moment of day. We went to Braseros Del Castillo (which serves lunch till 16:45/4.45pm) which was clear and new however don’t order the ceviche!
We must always’ve recognized higher than to order uncooked fish within the desert to be truthful. It’s down a mud street, don’t fear, your sat nav is correct, until you’re utilizing Waze which was the worst map to try to use in Chile. Persist with Google or Apple maps as a substitute.
The place to remain in San Pedro De Atacama Desert?
We determined to remain at Lodge Altiplanico Atacama (from $204 per evening) in San Pedro de Atacama (Domingo Atienza 282, San Pedro de Atacama) because it regarded one of many nicer ones in San Pedro de Atacama. Many inns could be very primary right here as its massively fashionable with backpackers.
Altiplanico Atacama is minimalistic fashionable meets rustic desert design utilizing pure materials (see the video for a greater concept). There’s free gated personal parking, an out of doors swimming pool, and free WiFi. The wifi is weak in your resort room however higher in public areas. Nonetheless, don’t count on to have the ability to stream.
The resort is clear, quiet and protected, with gates and cameras. We didn’t wish to be proper by the primary road to keep away from any late evening occasion noise. Bah humbug, I’m like a granny that wants her sleep and excursions usually begin early earlier than it will get too sizzling. The resort’s effectively located and it’s solely a 10-15 minute stroll to the primary road.
The breakfast is primary and options regional merchandise together with oat cookies/biscuits my Mum appreciated a lot so obtained the recipe from the chef.
In addition they serve Mate de Coca tea, each the tea baggage and free leaves (which you’ll be able to chew)! Now, right here’s an fascinating tea!
Don’t attempt bringing this tea house, it won’t work out so effectively at customs for you. Nonetheless, you probably have any digestive points or altitude illness (San Pedro de Atacama is at 7,900 ft) it’s speculated to be a remedy.
The right way to Get Again to Calama Airport from San Pedro De Atacama
You’ll wish to depart about an hour to get again to Calama Airport which is 62 miles from the resort. The airport’s actually small so it doesn’t take lengthy to clear customs, it simply takes some time to return the automotive for those who used Funds/Avis.
If Lodge Altiplanico Atacama is absolutely booked, these are the opposite inns we’d narrowed it all the way down to. Costs might fluctuate relying on if you go.
- Lodge Pascual Andino, San Pedro de Atacama $210 per evening. The closest to the primary road.
- Lodge La Casa de Don Tomas, San Pedro de Atacama $188
- Lodge Discover Atacama All-Inclusive $1568. The one 5* resort in San Pedro de Atacama. This affords a lot extra than simply all-inclusive meals! The value features a alternative of over 40 unique expedition choices on horseback, bicycle or foot. In addition they have an in-house steady with specifically educated horses, in-house observatory for stargazing, spa space, 4 swimming swimming pools, 4 open-air sizzling tubs, saunas and transports even included.
What are one of the best issues to see and do within the Atacama Desert Chile? Atacama Desert stargazing tour and highlights
After going to the Atacama Desert, there have been undoubtedly some issues we felt we may’ve skipped and others we’re glad we did. 2 days and nights is lots, we didn’t want the third day however for those who wished to do sand boarding or extra excursions you possibly can nonetheless do every little thing in 3 days.
Attempt to e-book excursions if you arrive with one of many many tour operators on the primary road in San Pedro de Atacama or by way of your concierge. We had points attempting to contact and ensure with the tour corporations we’d booked with because the numbers and addresses that they had listed had been all incorrect! They did each present up however each had been operating late and you are able to do with out the stress of questioning whether or not or not they’re going to indicate.
These are the Atacama Desert excursions we did however I wouldn’t suggest the Valley of the Moon tour we did because it took too lengthy to do little or no. The stargazing tour was worthwhile and also you discovered and noticed quite a bit within the 2 hours.
Prime issues to do in San Pedro de Atacama
These are my suggestions for the highest issues to do in Atacama:
- Go to Atacama Desert nationwide park
- On the park see 3 Marys / Tres Marias
- Hike to the highest of the sand dunes
- Watch sundown
- Go stargazing (not throughout a full moon)
- Go to the flamingoes at Laguna Chaxa
- Discover San Pedro De Atacama Important Road
- El Tatio Geysers
- Go sandboarding
- Get a therapeutic massage
Extra on every of those under.
Prime issues to see and do within the Atacama Desert
These are a few of the prime rated issues to do within the Atacama Desert:
1. Atacama Desert Chile day tour: Valley of the Moon/Valle De La Luna, Atacama
We had been underwhelmed with the desert panorama and weren’t anticipating the crowds. Nevada/Arizona’s desert and nationwide parks are extra colourful and numerous and Dubai has higher sand dunes which you can go on, but it surely was nonetheless fascinating to do. You might simply tour the park by yourselves in a SUV for those who’re not a tour particular person. We didn’t be taught way more by doing the Viator tour.
Our Valle de La Luna Tour description was slightly complicated because it says 4-12 hours! It ended up being about 6 hours with a gaggle of 13 of us. The quantity and deal with is inaccurate on the itemizing. So I’d suggest reserving one thing if you get there somewhat than reserving prematurely. Because it ended up being irritating worrying they weren’t going to select us up and never with the ability to contact them.
The tour began on the Nationwide Reserve “Los Flamencos” sector of Valle De La Luna/Moon Valley and stopped within the central crater for a photograph opp, Tres Marias rock formations, after which the choice to climb the Dune Maggiore.
It’s extremely windy, to the purpose the fellows had been complaining the sand damage, however the views from the highest are stunning. You may’t stroll on the highest of the dune however that’s what retains it trying so untouched and pristine. The salt caves had been closed, so we went straight to the Ckari Mirador to see the spectacular desert sundown. Together with tons of of different vacationers who’d additionally come on excursions so far!
TIP: Put on sunscreen and sneakers. Don’t put on a skirt/costume and maintain onto your hat!
2. Sundown within the Atacama Desert Chile
Except you get actually unfortunate with the climate, most evenings you’ll be capable of see the Earth’s driest non-polar desert erupt into 1 of its most colourful expanses. The most effective place to look at sundown in Atacama is at Ckari Mirador/Mirador de Kari – Piedra del Coyote. Get right here earlier than 7:30pm because the park closes at the moment so you must enter earlier than then and to beat the crowds that come right here to look at sundown. Wrap up heat because the temperature plummets at evening at it’s actually windy up on the mountain prime.
3. Salar de Atacama/Salt Plains: Atacama Desert
You don’t have to take a tour to see the salt plains in Atacama, however that’s an possibility or you possibly can even take a tour from San Pedro de Atacama Desert to the Salt flats in Bolivia that are larger than Chiles. We drove to Salar de Atacama on the best way to Laguna Chaxa. We had been all upset within the salt flats, they’re not as salty/white as we’d anticipated and there’s actually not a lot to see although there’s 3000 sq meters of them. Fortunately we hadn’t made a journey particularly to see them however noticed them however en path to the flamingoes at Lake Chaxa/Laguna Chaxa.
4. Visiting the Flamingoes at Laguna Chaxa
The nationwide reserve of flamingoes is NOT the place you go to see Flamingoes, it’s only a title. To see the flamingoes you possibly can both take a tour or drive to Laguna Chaxa. You’ll wish to both go early within the morning or at sundown when the flamingoes are nearer to the shore. The tour buses had been right here by 9am and folks are inclined to trigger the flamingoes transfer farther from shore. So if you would like a better glimpse get there earlier than 9 am.
It’s a couple of 45 minute drive to Laguna Chaxa from San Pedro de Atacama. January is meant to be one of the best time to see the resident Andean flamingos take flight throughout sundown. You in all probability received’t want or wish to spend greater than 45 minutes to see all 3 varieties of flamingoes right here and stroll across the brief path. I’d suggest both doing this to begin or finish your day and see the Valley of the Moon/Valle De La Luna on the identical day.
PS: it at all times smells right here as a result of sulphur gases which are constantly emitted from the Lascar volcano however you don’t discover it after some time.
5. San Pedro De Atacama Important Road
It is a cute little hippy city that appears just like the land time forgot. The streets are sandy and unpaved and crimson washed stone buildings entrance the primary road. Behind these partitions, they speak in confidence to a wide range of eating places and cafes from the genuine to the extra fashionable to some which are truly fairly elegant, tour operators, and retailers.
Discovering good espresso isn’t the best in Atacama however we discovered nice espresso and lunch at Roots which has a extra fashionable vibe than most of San Pedro. The most effective dinner we had was at La Casona which had reside music, conventional meals and fantastically introduced salads. Both go early or make a reservation as this spot’s actually fashionable and for good motive.
Like many areas of Chile, the world has a variety of poverty so costume tremendous informal. Go away your heels and wedges at house and be ready to get very sandy and wind swept.
6. Atacama Desert stargazing tour San Pedro De Atacama
There’s 2 trains of thought as to when one of the best time to do a Atacama Desert stargazing tour. In case you go when it’s a brand new moon and the skies the darkest you’re going to have the ability to get one of the best view of the celebs. Nonetheless, if you wish to see the moon and the celebs by means of the telescope, going halfway by means of the moon cycle like we did is a good time to go stargazing. That is the Atacama Desert stargazing tour we booked by way of Viator:
Astronomical tour with information and choose up – San Pedro de Atacama by Astrotour
This tour picked us up from the resort (about half-hour late, so don’t stress, they’ll present up) and drove us about 10 minutes outdoors of city to their location. At completely different occasions of the yr you’ll be capable of see various things: planets, open and closed clusters, galaxies and stars by way of their high-end, computerized and guide telescopes and their laser pointer.
There was solely 5 of us in our group which meant numerous time to ask questions and look by means of the telescope. The spotlight for me was seeing the moon by means of the telescope and with the ability to take a photograph of it with my iPhone.
TIP: Wrap up heat on your Atacama Desert stargazing tour, although we went of their Summer time, it will get chilly and windy at evening.
7. El Tatio Geysers
We didn’t go right here because it meant a extremely early begin (after late stargazing) and was a full day tour but it surely’s value trying into for those who’re right here for a few days. My niece mentioned it was well worth the drive out to. You may learn extra about it on Tripadvisor.
8. Sandboarding in San Pedro de Atacama
This regarded actually enjoyable however I’m an excessive amount of of a rooster and we ran out of time because the final day was a write-off as I used to be sick in mattress. I wasn’t hungover, I picked up a chilly someplace alongside the best way. I’d suggest discovering a tour by means of a tour operator on the Caracoles (major road) somewhat than on-line.
Ideas for spending a day within the desert
Coming from Vegas we’re professionals spending time within the desert:
- Keep in mind to put on and take SPF.
- Take water round with you (choose up from an area grocery retailer).
- Pack a Hydroflask or one thing to maintain water chilly.
- Take a hat (a variety of the time it’s too windy to put on however offers you some solar safety when it’s not. Plus it hides wind swept hair and a sandblasted face).
- Excursions don’t embrace entrance charges to the nationwide parks (between 3-15 USD).
The place to eat in San Pedro De Atacama
We ate a few nights on the resort (Altiplanico Atacama) for comfort earlier than night excursions and as soon as on the town on the primary road. Discovering good espresso isn’t the best in Atacama however we discovered nice espresso and lunch at Roots which has a extra fashionable vibe than most of San Pedro.
Dinner at La Casona was an sudden gem of a discover with reside piano music, conventional meals and fantastically introduced salads. Both go early or make a reservation as this spot’s actually fashionable and for good motive.
What to put on within the Atacama Desert?
We visited the Atacama Desert Chile in early January (Summer time) but it surely was nonetheless chilly within the wind and at evening so you possibly can’t beat layers and a windbreaker. At evening I wore a tank prime, full zip sweatshirt, windbreaker, Barbour jacket and scarf!
It’s windy just about all the time so go for shorts as a substitute of skirts or attire. We just about lived in sneakers because it was too dusty for flip flops and too informal for heels, and so forth. Pack a bag to out your soiled sneakers in so you possibly can pack them with out masking every little thing else in sand.
What number of days do you want within the Atacama Desert?
We spent 3 days there however 2 is de facto sufficient to do every little thing. Itinerary concepts:
- Day 1: you possibly can go to see the flamingoes at Laguna Chaxa after which drive to discover Valle de la Luna. Then e-book a stargazing tour for the night.
- Day 2: go to the geysers and discover San Pedro De Atacama (it’s a small city of a few streets so it doesn’t take a lot time to discover).
The right way to discover Atacama
Do you want a rent automotive? If there’s solely 2 of you, the resort you’re staying at affords an airport switch, you’re strolling distance from the primary road and planning on doing excursions then in all probability not. If there’s greater than 2 of you, your resort doesn’t supply airport transfers otherwise you favor to have the ability to go and discover by yourself in addition to doing excursions hiring a automobiles in all probability a great possibility.
Do you want money in Atacama?
Sure. You should use your bank card in most locations however Chilean peso Is beneficial for tipping, the grocery retailer, small purchases, snacks, espresso, and so forth. Change your cash earlier than you go for one of the best charges.
The place else moreover Atacama ought to I go to in Chile?
We beloved the Lake District and exploring Patagonia: seeing the penguins on Chiloe Island, going to Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls. In addition to visiting the completely different wineries in Colchagua Valley. In all places we went the individuals had been so pleasant and the meals was so recent.
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How we did our analysis for visiting Atacama Chile
We do most of our analysis on the place to remain and what to do by way of Tripadvisor, reserving.com and inns.com. In addition to asking family and friends who’ve already been. The Atacama Desert stargazing tour was a advice from my niece who nonetheless says it’s one of many clearest skies she’s seen at evening. My Mum additionally had a Chile Journey Information e-book I’d waded by means of when again in England over the Summer time.
