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San Pedro de Atacama

Desert oasis for salt flats, geysers and stars

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Plan your trip to San Pedro de Atacama See the top 10

9,843Population

SpanishLanguage

CLPCurrency

4 daysIdeal stay

$120-200Typical day

San Pedro de Atacama is an adobe village in the world's driest desert. Tours reach salt flats, geysers, lagoons and moon-like valleys. Stargazing is world class. Altitude is about 2,400 meters.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

A valley of salt and clay formations shaped by wind and water, a few km from town. Sunset from the ridges is popular. It is managed by local communities.
Half dayTime needed
recommendedBook ahead
Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.
Tip. Go for the sunset slot; timed tickets may be needed.
See on the map
A field of geysers at about 4,300 meters, best seen at dawn when the steam is strongest. Tours leave before 5 am. Temperatures can drop below freezing.
Half dayTime needed
recommendedBook ahead
Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.
Tip. Dawn tour about 1.5 hours.
See on the map
The dry, high skies make this one of the best places to stargaze. Tours use telescopes to show planets and galaxies. Book ahead and avoid full moon.
2 hoursTime needed
yesBook ahead
Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.
Tip. Book on moon free nights; dress very warmly.
See on the map
A white adobe church with a ceiling made of cactus wood. It faces the main square. It is one of the oldest in the region.
20 minutesTime needed
FreeCost
noBook ahead
See on the map
High altitude lakes ringed by volcanoes, at over 4,000 meters. Flamingos sometimes feed here. Tours take a full day.
Full dayTime needed
recommendedBook ahead
Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.
Tip. About 1.5 to 2 hours each way; bring warm clothes.
See on the map
A huge salt flat with a lagoon where flamingos feed. It is part of a national reserve. Tours often combine it with sunset.
Half dayTime needed
noBook ahead
Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.
See on the map
A valley of dunes and rock ridges near town. Sandboarding tours run here. It is good by bike.
2 hoursTime needed
noBook ahead
Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.
Tip. Reachable by bike; go late afternoon.
See on the map
A ruined pre Inca fortress on a hill above the river. It gives views over the oasis. It is a short bike ride away.
1.5 hoursTime needed
noBook ahead
Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.
Tip. About 3 km from town by bike or car.
See on the map
Red rocks beside a bright blue lagoon far south of town. It is a long day tour. The altitude is high.
Full dayTime needed
noBook ahead
Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.
Tip. Often combined with the lagoons; about 2.5 hours each way.
See on the map
Natural hot pools in a canyon north of town. A trail links the pools. Book ahead.
Half dayTime needed
yesBook ahead
Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.
See on the map

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.

Not on this map: El Tatio Geysers, Iglesia de San Pedro, Salar de Atacama and Laguna Chaxa, Piedras Rojas. We could not find a position for these.

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Short on time?

Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

San Pedro in three days

Day one valleys, day two geysers, day three altiplanic lagoons.

Valle de la LunaHalf day
El Tatio GeysersHalf day
Stargazing Tour2 hours
Iglesia de San Pedro20 minutes · Free
Altiplanic LagoonsFull day
Salar de Atacama and Laguna ChaxaHalf day
Valle de la Muerte2 hours
Pukara de Quitor1.5 hours
Piedras RojasFull day
Puritama Hot SpringsHalf day

Beyond the city

Day trips

Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia)

Salt flats.

186 mi · 3 day tour

Laguna Cejar

Floating lagoon.

12 mi · Tour

Toconao village

A traditional stone village known for its small church and gorge.

24 mi · Tour or rental car, about 40 minutes

Salar de Tara

A remote highland salt flat with flamingos.

68 mi · Tour, about 2 hours each way

Machuca village

A tiny herder hamlet with llamas.

62 mi · Part of the El Tatio tour

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: March to May and September to November. Mild days.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

Rain

Typical inches per month

January

80°F

Typical daily high

Average65°F

Rain0.4 in

About1 rainy days

Sun strength8.9 kWh/m²

Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Jun

Fiesta de San Pedro y San Pablo

June 29

Village festival.

Mar

Semana Santa

March or April

Religious celebrations in the old church.

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Know before you go

At a glance

4/5

Safety

Chile is at US State Department Level 2 (exercise increased caution); but the village is calm; altitude and sun are main risks.

4/5

Walkability

Village is small.

1/5

Public transport

No public transport; tours.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

1. Village center

$$$

Best for: first-timers

Central.

2. Ayllus outskirts

$$$$

Best for: luxury

Lodges.

3. Near Caracoles

Best for: budget

Hostels.

4. Town center (Caracoles Street area)

Best for: first-timers, budget travelers

Walk to restaurants and tour agencies.

5. Ayllu de Solor and Quitor

$$$

Best for: couples

Quiet lodges with desert views.

6. Hostels near the center

Best for: budget travelers

Basic rooms and social areas.

Getting there and around

Main airport	El Loa Airport (Calama) (CJC), 62 mi from the center
To the center	Shuttle about 1h15.
Around town	Walk the village; tours or car.
Ride apps	Uber, Cabify

Taste it

What to eat

Empanadas de queso

Cheese pastries.

Rica rica sour

Local pisco sour.

Quinoa dishes

Andean grain used in soups and salads.

Llama meat

Served in some restaurants.

Rica rica tea

A herbal tea used for altitude.

Good to know

Plugs	Type C and L, 220 V
Tap water	Safe to drink
Tipping	About 10 percent in restaurants is common; check if service is included.
Payments	Cards in cities; cash for small towns.
Etiquette	Greet with a friendly hello; dress modestly in churches.

Drink plenty of water.
Tap water is not recommended.
Altitude sickness is possible, especially at El Tatio and the lagoons which reach over 4,000 m.
Carry cash, since ATMs can run out.
Book tours with a registered operator and check what the entry fees include.
Sun protection is essential; nights are cold.
Water and supplies cost more here.

A short history

The Atacameno people, also called Lickanantay, have farmed this oasis for thousands of years. It was a stop on trade routes across the Andes and later fell under Inca rule. Spanish conquerors arrived in the 1500s and built a church, rebuilt in its current adobe form in the 1700s. The region was part of Bolivia until the War of the Pacific in 1879 to 1884. Today it is the main base for exploring the Atacama Desert.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan San Pedro de Atacama