The Atacama Desert, located in Chile, is one of the most fascinating destinations in South America. Here you will find one of the driest deserts in the world, along with natural wonders that include salt flats, geysers, volcanoes, and high-altitude lagoons.
In this guide, based on our travel experience, we will tell you where the Atacama Desert is located, how to get there from Santiago de Chile and other countries. Additionally, we will highlight what to see and recommend the best available tours.
Let’s get started:
Location of the Atacama Desert, South America
The Atacama Desert is located in northern Chile, mainly in the Antofagasta region. It stretches from the Pacific Ocean coast to the Andes Mountains. Although it covers approximately 1,000 kilometers in length, the town of San Pedro de Atacama is the ideal place to explore it.
This Chilean desert borders Argentina and Bolivia to the east, making it an excellent starting point for further exploring the Salar de Uyuni, another major natural attraction in South America.
Recommended: Salar de Uyuni: Everything you need to know
How to get to the Atacama Desert
To get to the Atacama Desert, the first step is to fly to the city of Calama. You can fly from several Chilean cities, such as Santiago, Concepción, and La Serena. The flight from Santiago, Chile to Calama takes about 2 and a half hours.
Once you arrive at Calama Airport, you will need to take a bus or a transfer service to reach San Pedro de Atacama, the closest town to the desert. The journey takes about an hour and a half. You can book the airport shuttle to Calama here.
If you plan to travel to the Atacama Desert from the United States or another country, you will likely need to make a stopover in Santiago, Chile, or a nearby city. If you haven’t purchased your flights yet, don’t worry! Here are some links to help you find the best deals:
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How to Find Last-Minute Cheap Flights? While it is important to plan your trip in advance, we understand that it’s not always possible. So, if you are looking for affordable tickets to travel soon and save some money, we recommend using Skyscanner.
Skyscanner.com is a tool that allows you to compare flights from different airlines to find the best rates. To use it, click here, enter the departure and destination cities, and the travel date. With this information, it will search for the most affordable options, and you can choose based on price or layovers.
Is it safe to buy flights on Skyscanner? It depends. After selecting a flight, you’ll see a list of links from various airlines and agencies. The safest way is to purchase your tickets through the airline´s link. If you decide to buy from an agency, you should be a bit more cautious.
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Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama
Now that you know how to get to the desert of South America, you should know that staying in San Pedro de Atacama is an excellent option for those who want to explore the desert and the natural wonders of the Chilean altiplano.
San Pedro de Atacama offers a wide variety of accommodation options to suit different budgets, from hostels with shared kitchens to luxury hotels and resorts. We recommend booking in advance, especially during the high season (October to March).
Recommended accommodations in San Pedro de Atacama: Hotel Casa Algarrobo, San Pedro Domos, Hotel Kimal, Rey Lagarto Hostel, Hostal Las Kañas, Hostal Montepardo, Hostal Sonchek, and Hostal Sumaj.
Tips for booking good, affordable accommodation: The first recommendation is to book your accommodation in advance. If you wait until the last minute, it’s very likely that the best or most affordable places will be fully booked, and you’ll have to settle for the remaining options.
Our favorite website for finding accommodation is Booking.com. If you click here, you can save up to 15% on your stay. By entering your destination and travel dates, you can filter by price and location, and read reviews from other travelers. In many cases, you can also book without a credit card and enjoy free cancellation.
If you frequently book on Booking.com, you can access exclusive discounts, enjoy free breakfasts, and receive better rooms at no extra cost. This will allow you to get more affordable rates and enjoy additional benefits to save on your trip.
Click here to get up to 15% off your accommodation with Late Escape Deals! This promotion is valid until December 4th for travel until the end of 2025.
Top places to visit in the Atacama Desert, Chile:
1. Valle de la Luna
The Valle de la Luna is one of the best places to visit in the Atacama Desert in Chile. This iconic destination will surprise you with enormous sand dunes, salt mountains, and rock formations that have been sculpted by wind and rain over thousands of years, creating surreal landscapes.
In Valle de la Luna, you can walk several natural trails to appreciate the contrasts of the Salinas Mountains. Additionally, you can visit impressive places like Duna Mayor, the Amphitheater, and Las Tres Marías, and finish the day enjoying the sunset from the Licanantay viewpoint or the Coyote Stone.
Recommended tour: Excursion to the Moon Valley. This tour starts at 3 p.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m. It includes round-trip transportation from your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama, a bilingual guide, a tour of the main attractions of the valley, and the opportunity to watch the sunset from the Licarantay viewpoint.
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Why book a tour to explore the Atacama Desert? While it’s possible to explore the desert on your own by renting a vehicle, booking a tour provides you with the safety of a guide and a vehicle suitable for the terrain conditions. Moreover, the guide can provide you with valuable information about the places you visit.
Additionally, in the desert, there are many remote and isolated sites where internet signal is scarce or nonexistent, with no gas stations. This can make accessing various points of interest difficult if you are unfamiliar with the area, so it’s advisable to leave navigation in the hands of experts.
2. Geysers del Tatio
Any trip to the Atacama Desert would not be complete without visiting the Geysers del Tatio, one of the highest geothermal fields in the world, located over 4,300 meters above sea level in the Andes Mountains, just 80 kilometers from San Pedro.
The Geysers del Tatio, in addition to being one of the main tourist attractions of the Atacama Desert, are a must-see stop. Here you can explore a set of more than 80 geysers and fumaroles that emit steam and high-temperature gases, heated by magma located near the surface.
The best time to visit the geysers is early in the morning, just before sunrise. During this period, the contrast between the morning chill and the hot steam rising from the geysers creates a unique visual spectacle! You can book the tour from San Pedro de Atacama here.
Tip: If you plan to travel to Chile from abroad, with this Holafly eSIM, you’ll have unlimited data and can keep your number for calls and WhatsApp, without worrying about expensive roaming charges. Additionally, don’t forget to purchase international health insurance before your trip for extra peace of mind.
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Suggestion: Tour to the Tatio Geysers from San Pedro de Atacama. In this experience, you will depart at dawn towards the Andean highlands, ascending through the hills and mountains of the Andes. After a 1.5-hour journey, you’ll arrive at the geysers and, with the help of a guide, discover all their secrets.
The geysers tour starts at 4:30 a.m. and ends around noon. It includes pick-up from your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama (urban area), a bilingual guide (Spanish and English), breakfast, and transportation. Be sure to bring warm clothing, comfortable shoes, a winter hat, sunscreen, and hydration.
To book the tour, click here, select the date you’d like to start the activity, indicate the number of people attending, and proceed with payment. If you need to cancel or reschedule, you can do so up to 24 hours before the activity starts.
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3. Monjes de la Pacana and the salars of the Atacama Desert
Another of the best activities in the Atacama Desert is taking the salt flat route, especially if you love nature, wildlife, and photography. On this tour, you’ll visit wonderful places like the Monjes de la Pacana, Laguna Negra, and the salars of Quisquiro and Aguascalientes, enjoying their stunning natural beauty.
During the salt flat route, you’ll visit the viewpoint of the Licancabur and Juriques volcanoes, located in the Andes Mountains. You’ll also have the chance to spot a variety of wildlife, including vicuñas, vizcachas, foxes, and guanacos. This makes it one of the best excursions in the Atacama Desert.
If you don’t want to miss out on the most beautiful salt flats in the Atacama Desert, we recommend booking this tour. Starts at 8 a.m., and ends at 2:30 p.m. The tour includes round-trip transportation, a bilingual guide, and visits to the Monjes de la Pacana, the Quepiaco River wetlands, and the Aguas Calientes and Quisquiro salt flats.
Click here to book your hotel in San Pedro
Are you planning a trip abroad? When organizing an international trip, we often focus on choosing destinations, accommodations, and tours, but we tend to forget about the possibility of falling ill, having an accident, being robbed, or needing to return home earlier than planned due to a family member’s hospitalization.
If you want to travel with peace of mind and avoid worrying about unexpected medical expenses or logistical problems, it is essential to purchase international travel insurance. Additionally, in many countries, presenting travel insurance is a mandatory requirement when going through immigration.
This international insuranceoffers you comprehensive coverage and 24/7 assistance via phone, email, or WhatsApp. To purchase it, click here, select your trip’s start date and duration. It is valid for any destination, and you can buy it even if you are already traveling.
You can buy the insurance here and receive a 5% discount as a Travelgrafía reader!
4. Eyes of the Salt Flat, Cejar, and Tebinquinche Lagoon
The Eyes of the Salt Flat, Cejar Lagoon, and Tebinquinche Lagoon are three spectacular destinations located in the Atacama Desert. Each of them offers unique landscapes and unforgettable experiences. We were fascinated to float in the salt lagoons, and you will undoubtedly enjoy it too.
The Eyes of the Salt Flat are small freshwater wells surrounded by an arid landscape. Their name comes from their circular shape, reminiscent of eyes in the salt flat, which feed the region’s fauna. The best part is that they are on the way to Cejar Lagoon and Tebinquinche.
Cejar Lagoon is famous for the presence of many flamingos that come to its waters to feed. Tebinquinche is another gem of the desert in Chile, known for its stunning views of Volcano Licancabur and for being one of the few places where you can swim and float.
You can book this day trip to the Eyes of the Salt Flat, Cejar, and Tebinquinche Lagoon. Also, if you need accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama, consider staying overnight at: Hotel Casa Algarrobo, San Pedro Domos, Hotel Kimal, Rey Lagarto Hostel, and Hostal Montepardo.
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How to Book the Tour to Cejar Lagoon? Click here to see the detailed itinerary, check the pricing, what’s included, and read reviews from other travelers. Then, choose your desired date, the number of passengers, and add it to your cart to enter your details and proceed with payment.
Please note that the Cejar Lagoon tour lasts approximately 5 hours, making it a half-day adventure. It includes round-trip transportation, pick-up from your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama, a bilingual guide, entry to the lagoon, a swim in Laguna Piedra, and a sunset snack.
The advantage of booking your tour on denomades.com is that once your payment is completed, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Plus, if you encounter any issues or need to cancel or reschedule your trip, you can request a full refund up to 24 hours before the activity.
To see the price and more details about the tour, click here!
5. Altiplanic Lagoons and Red Rocks
Without a doubt, one of the tours in the Atacama Desert that surprised us the most was the visit to the Altiplanic Lagoons and the natural viewpoint of Red Rocks. This full-day excursion will take you through mountainous landscapes, where you can admire the splendor of the volcanoes and the colors of the highlands.
The Miscanti, Miñiques, and Chaxa Lagoons, also known as the Altiplanic Lagoons, are three turquoise bodies of water surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, snowy peaks, and volcanoes. In this area, you will have the opportunity to observe the desert’s fauna and flora, including flamingos, foxes, and vicuñas.
Red Rocks is a beautiful salt flat surrounded by a set of reddish rocks and is considered one of the most photogenic places, making it a must-stop on any travel itinerary to the Atacama Desert in Chile. By the way, you can book the tour from San Pedro here.
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How to Book the Tour to Red Rocks and the Altiplanic Lagoons? It’s super easy! Just click on this link to check the price of the tour, what’s included, and the experience details. Then, select your desired date, the number of passengers, and confirm availability before making your payment.
Keep in mind that this is a full-day tour that starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. It runs every day, but it’s best to book in advance. The tour includes round-trip transportation from San Pedro de Atacama, pick-up from your accommodation (in the urban area), a guide, breakfast, and a box lunch.
Check the price here and book your adventure today!
Bonus: Astronomical Tour – A Must-Do in Your Atacama Trip
Astronomical tourism in the Atacama Desert is highly acclaimed, as this Chilean destination is considered one of the best places in the world for stargazing and viewing the center of the Milky Way, thanks to its dry climate, high altitudes, and low light pollution.
So, if you’re looking for things to do in the Atacama Desert, one unmissable activity is the astronomical tour. Accompanied by astronomers and equipped with telescopes, you’ll learn about the cosmos and the science behind celestial bodies while taking in one of the starriest skies in the world.
How many days should you spend in the Atacama Desert? In our opinion, while you can see some of the most iconic spots in 3 days, we recommend a 5-day stay. This allows you to enjoy more activities, and if you have extra time, consider adding 4 days to explore the Salar de Uyuni. Check out these plans:
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Book Your Ultimate 5-Day Itinerary
7-Day Expedition through Atacama and Uyuni
Tip: Save time and money by booking on platforms like GuruWalk, Civitatis, or Denomades. We recommend these sites because, in addition to being secure, they allow you to compare prices, read reviews from other travelers, learn about the itineraries in detail, and know exactly what each tour includes.
GuruWalk: Exclusively for free walking tours worldwide. Civitatis: Offers a wide variety of tours, guided visits, and excursions in hundreds of destinations. Denomades: Specializes in nature and adventure activities in Latin America.
On these platforms, you can book at very competitive prices, sometimes even better than at the destination! Plus, they offer a great variety of payment methods and, in many cases, have flexible cancellation policies that allow you to get a refund up to 24 hours before the activity starts.
Discover your next free tour on GuruWalk
Check out available activities on Civitatis
Book the best tours in Latin America on Denomades
What to Do in the Atacama Desert in 3 and 5 Days
If you only have 3 days, we suggest the following itinerary for your trip to the Atacama Desert:
Day 1: Start with a transfer from Calama Airport to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. In the afternoon, visit the Valley of the Moon and enjoy the sunset. You can also take advantage of the night to join an astronomical tour.
Day 2: In the morning, take the tour to the Tatio Geysers. In the afternoon, explore the Ojos del Salar and the Cejar and Tebinquinche Lagoons.
Day 3: Explore the center of San Pedro de Atacama, shop for some handicrafts, and then head back to Calama Airport. If time permits, you can visit the Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache.
If you plan to extend your trip to 5 days, you can dedicate Day 4 to visiting the Altiplanic Lagoons of Miscanti, Miñiques, and Chaxa, as well as the viewpoint at Red Rocks. On Day 5, take the Salt Flats Route.
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Tips for Traveling to the Atacama Desert in Chile
Now that you know about the Atacama Desert’s location, how to get there, and what to do and see, here are some essential tips:
The weather in the Atacama Desert can be quite variable throughout the day, so it’s important to pack warm clothing along with lighter outfits for the intense heat. Also, don’t forget sunscreen and stay hydrated!
No matter what plans or activities you choose to pursue in the Atacama Desert and its surroundings, always remember to respect nature, follow the rules of each location you visit, and support sustainable tourism.
If you plan to travel to the Atacama Desert, it’s highly recommended to book your accommodation and tours in advance. This will ensure availability and allow you to make the most of your time. For now, here are some additional travel guides that will surely help you:
What to Do in Santiago, Chile in 3 Days
Easter Island, Chile: Location, Getting There, and Best Tours
Torres del Paine: Chilean Patagonia
What to Do in Valparaíso in 1 Day
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