San Pedro de Atacama Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

San Pedro de Atacama as well as a small group of people
San Pedro de Atacama
Cejar Lagoon showing desert views and tranquil scenes
El Tatio Geyser Field featuring landscape views and tranquil scenes
San Pedro de Atacama

View some of the most fascinating natural elements you will ever see in this salty desert landscape reminiscent of a sci-fi film.

San Pedro de Atacama is a small town in the centre of one of the world’s most spectacular geological landscapes. In the arid Atacama Desert, where rain has not touched much of the terrain for centuries, find all sorts of otherworldly features, from gurgling geysers and hot springs to moon-like valleys and salty lagoons full of flamingos.

Make the town a stopping point on the way to the National Flamingo Reserve. Here, find the remarkable Chaxa Lagoon and take photographs of flamingos and other colourful birds around the salty water.

Take a short trip to a terrain that looks like the harsh environment of space at the Valle de la Luna. Hike through its eerie lands full of natural statues, caves and white dry lakes. For a more colourful walk with fewer crowds, head to the Arco Iris Valley, which takes its name from the Spanish for “rainbow.”

Perhaps the most memorable experience is at sunrise in El Tatio Geyser Field, where jets of steam rise from volcanic openings in the crust. Enjoy a hot bath in a spring with a dreamlike backdrop of volcanoes forming a ring around the field.

Learn about humankind’s presence in the region at the elegant San Pedro Church and the Petroglifos de Hierbas Buenas. See the artistic imprints from Atacameño people.

The climate varies with the elevation of the attractions around the town, although the weather is always extremely dry. Prepare for mild altitude sickness, as the town rests at 7,900 feet (2,400 metres) above sea level.

This area is in northeastern Chile near the borders with Bolivia and Argentina. Fly to the small airport of Calama from Santiago, Antofagasta or Iquique. The airport is about 1 hour west of the town by bus. Many buses also travel here from cities across Argentina and Chile.

Viewing the sights of San Pedro de Atacama is like seeing the world through a kaleidoscope.

Diego de Almagro San Pedro de Atacama
Diego de Almagro San Pedro de Atacama
3 out of 5
Toconao 460, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta
Stay at this 3-star hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8/10 Very Good! (290 reviews)
"Felt like we were at a resort. Food and facilities were great and close walk to town yet distance enough for a quiet and safe space."

Reviewed on 18 May 2025

Diego de Almagro San Pedro de Atacama
Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama
Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama
4 out of 5
Avenida Las Chilcas S/N, Lote 10 Parcela 2, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta
The price is £183 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
£183
7 Jul - 8 Jul
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Plaza de San Pedro de Atacama ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (432 reviews)
"This is a great hotel with very authentic layout. Rooms are very nice."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama
Nayara Alto Atacama
Nayara Alto Atacama
5 out of 5
Camino Pukará s/n Sector Suchor, Ayllu de Quitor, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta
The price is £588 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
£588
7 Jul - 8 Jul
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Pukara de Quitor Archaeological ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (72 reviews)
Nice but VERY Overpriced!
"Overall nice stay, however very overpriced for the experience. Restaurant staff is very inexperienced and English is difficult for most to understand for correct meal orders. If you’re there for the “bar-b-que” night, be warned it’s somewhat chaos and orders may not come out correct or at all. Never ..."

Reviewed on 14 Apr 2025

Nayara Alto Atacama
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
casa turis
casa turis
3 out of 5
50 Laguna Lejia, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta Region
Stay at this 3-star holiday home in San Pedro de Atacama. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Artisans Town and Inca House are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Best for budget
"If you have a car, you cannot get it cheaper for the quality in San Pedro, which is notoriously expensive for the mediocre quality of accommodations. It is quiet, spacious and clean, abd has a reasonably well equipped kitchen. The two rooms, bathroom, and kitchen all lead outside to rhe porch, which ..."

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2024

casa turis
Hermoso Loft con Vista al Volcán Construido con Técnicas Tradicionales , 50 M2
Hermoso Loft con Vista al Volcán Construido con Técnicas Tradicionales , 50 M2
San Pedro de Atacama
Stay at this chalet in San Pedro de Atacama. Popular attractions Plaza de San Pedro de Atacama and San Pedro Church are located nearby.
Hermoso Loft con Vista al Volcán Construido con Técnicas Tradicionales , 50 M2
Hermosa Cabaña con Vista al Volcán, Construida en Técnicas Locales , 58m2
Hermosa Cabaña con Vista al Volcán, Construida en Técnicas Locales , 58m2
San Pedro de Atacama
Stay at this cabin in San Pedro de Atacama. Popular attractions Plaza de San Pedro de Atacama and San Pedro Church are located nearby.
We were told property wasn’t available day of check-in
"Property manager does not check messages or communicate through VRBO portal. We had to reach out via WhatsApp on day of check-in to be told the manager never received the reservation through VRBO and the property wasn’t available. We were told by VRBO customer service we had to ask the property manager ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jan 2025

Hermosa Cabaña con Vista al Volcán, Construida en Técnicas Locales , 58m2
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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