San Pedro de Atacama, Chile: things to do, when to go & how long to stay

Overview

The base for the Atacama, the driest non-polar desert on Earth. Excursions run to the El Tatio geysers, Valle de la Luna, high-altitude lagoons and the Salar de Atacama, plus astronomy tours in exceptionally clear skies.

Plan & book

Stays, activities and transport for San Pedro de Atacama will be bookable here soon.

Where to stayComing soon

Curated stays by area and budget will appear here once hotel partners are connected.

Tours & activitiesComing soon

Bookable experiences will appear here once activity partners are connected.

Car rentalComing soon

Rental pickup options will appear here once car partners are connected.

Why go to San Pedro de Atacama

El Tatio geyser field at sunrise
Valle de la Luna
Altiplanic lagoons and flamingos
Some of the best stargazing anywhere

Budget

San Pedro de Atacama is mid-range by Chile standards. Across Chile, mid-range travellers typically spend about $95–$160 per person per day.

Country-level planning estimate, excluding flights. See the full Chile budget breakdown.

Practical information

Altitude is real — acclimatise before high-altitude tours
Huge day-to-night temperature swings; bring layers

When to go to San Pedro de Atacama

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Plan 3–4 days here. Highlighted months are the best fit for most travellers.

Getting around

Domestic flights are essential — Santiago to Punta Arenas is over 3,000km
Long-distance buses are comfortable, frequent and much cheaper than flying

Suggested itineraries

Desert and Patagonia
14 days
The two headline landscapes, linked by flights via Santiago.
Route: Santiago → San Pedro de Atacama → Torres del Paine
Central Chile short trip
7 days
Capital, coast and wine valleys without long flights.
Route: Santiago → Valparaíso & Viña del Mar → Elqui Valley
Lakes and the deep south
16 days
Volcanoes, Chiloé and Patagonian trekking.
Route: Santiago → Lake District & Pucón → Chiloé → Torres del Paine