San Pedro de Atacama - your travel guide to the driest place on earth 🦙🇨🇱
Lena Kristin Müller
Welcome to San Pedro de Atacama, a mesmerizing oasis in the heart of the Atacama Desert. This enchanting destination in northern Chile offers rugged landscapes, celestial wonders, and ancient cultures. Explore salt flats, canyons, and volcanoes, hike through arid valleys, and witness flamingos in high-altitude lagoons. Discover the region's rich history at archaeological sites, engage with indigenous communities, and admire vibrant textiles. At night, gaze at the stars in world-class observatories. Sample traditional cuisine and embark on adrenaline-fueled adventures like sandboarding. Find tranquility in this extraordinary desert oasis where nature, culture, and wonder converge.
14 Places • 1 Save • ago
Free

How to get to and around San Pedro de Atacama

The closest airport to San Pedro is Calama with service from cities around Chile and South America. Some travelers also make their way to San Pedro with tours from Bolivia through the Uyuni desert to the Atacama desert. 

Aeropuerto El Loa Calama
@thegoodlandbeyond
The best way to get from Calama to San Pedro is a bus, you can buy tickets at the airport or in advance.
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There are two ways of exploring the Atacama desert. You can book the tours or you can rent a car and go see it yourself. If you are a solo traveler, I would recommend the tours. If you travel with a group of friends or can spend a little bit more, rent a car.

The pros of taking a tour are that you won't have to worry about the bad conditions of the streets, you'll meet new people and your tour guide can tell you everything about all the places.

The cons are the crowds since most of the tours take their groups to the locations at the same time of day. I took the tours but regretted it a bit. I could not afford to rent a car at the time but visiting all the beautiful places in the desert, I felt as though the crowds of people took away a bit of the experience. If you are traveling alone or with just one friend, I suggest making friends at the hostels and renting a car with a couple of other people. 

What to see 

In the town of San Pedro, you can book tours to go see the different highlights around the desert. The following tours are the ones I took and loved. One tour I did not take e

El Tatio
@thegoodlandbeyond
Prepare for really low temperatures as this excursion takes you to high altitudes. Be careful to stay on the designated footpaths and make sure to take some photos, because this place is truly breathtaking.
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Los Flamencos National Reserve
@thegoodlandbeyond
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Valle de la Luna
@thegoodlandbeyond
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Piedras Rojas
@thegoodlandbeyond
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Valle del Arcoiris
@thegoodlandbeyond
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Another must-do is the Astronomical Tour at Night to see the incredible desert night sky. Unfortunately, I visited Atacama during the full moon so all night tours were canceled. One day, I would love to return just for this experience alone.

If you have more than just 3 days, I highly recommend taking the tour from the Atacama desert to the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia (or vice versa). I did not have the time but we talked to people who had the best time. You can book tours and go with a group, it is usually a three-day tour incl. food and accommodation.

Cafés & Restaurants 

San Pedro de Atacama is a small town yet there is a good amount of food options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Here are my recommendations:

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Las Delicias de Carmen
@thegoodlandbeyond
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Franchuteria
@thegoodlandbeyond
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Estrella Negra
@thegoodlandbeyond
Vegetarian restaurant 🌱 Fair prices, good vegan empanadas. Coffee with vegan milk alternatives (not very common in Chile)
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Salon De Té O2
@thegoodlandbeyond
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Heladería Babalú
@thegoodlandbeyond
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Where to stay

As the town is bustling with backpackers from around the world, I recommend booking a hostel. It's a fun way to meet fellow travelers and maybe even find some travel buddies to rent a car with. 

Check out Hostelworld or Booking.com for good hostel options. 

Have fun exploring Atacama, it's truly a magical place. ✨

Love, 

Lena

* * *
CURATED BY
Lena Kristin Müller
Welcome to my travel shop! 👋🏻 As a true lover of foreign cultures and a passionate traveler, I can't wait to share my insights and experiences with you. My adventure began in 2010 when I left Europe to become a foreign exchange student in Los Angeles, California. Since then, I have called Mallorca, Spain, and Chile temporary homes that have left big footprints on my heart. I want to bring value to your future trips by sharing my carefully curated maps, expert tips, and, most importantly, the locals' perspective on destinations. By delving into the heart and soul of each place, we can unlock unforgettable adventures and meaningful connections. Let my travel guides be your passport to inspiration. Together, let's break free from the confines of our comfort zones and embrace the thrill of exploring the unknown. So pack your bags, open your mind, and get ready for a world of exciting possibilities. Love, Lena ✨ P.S. To check out my travel and landscape photography, feel free to take a peek at my blog thegoodlandbeyond.com 📷⛰️
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San Pedro de Atacama - your travel guide to the driest place on earth 🦙🇨🇱
Lena Kristin Müller
Welcome to San Pedro de Atacama, a mesmerizing oasis in the heart of the Atacama Desert. This enchanting destination in northern Chile offers rugged landscapes, celestial wonders, and ancient cultures. Explore salt flats, canyons, and volcanoes, hike through arid valleys, and witness flamingos in high-altitude lagoons. Discover the region's rich history at archaeological sites, engage with indigenous communities, and admire vibrant textiles. At night, gaze at the stars in world-class observatories. Sample traditional cuisine and embark on adrenaline-fueled adventures like sandboarding. Find tranquility in this extraordinary desert oasis where nature, culture, and wonder converge.
14 Places • 1 Save • ago
Free

How to get to and around San Pedro de Atacama

The closest airport to San Pedro is Calama with service from cities around Chile and South America. Some travelers also make their way to San Pedro with tours from Bolivia through the Uyuni desert to the Atacama desert. 

Aeropuerto El Loa Calama
@thegoodlandbeyond
The best way to get from Calama to San Pedro is a bus, you can buy tickets at the airport or in advance.
Add to
Details

There are two ways of exploring the Atacama desert. You can book the tours or you can rent a car and go see it yourself. If you are a solo traveler, I would recommend the tours. If you travel with a group of friends or can spend a little bit more, rent a car.

The pros of taking a tour are that you won't have to worry about the bad conditions of the streets, you'll meet new people and your tour guide can tell you everything about all the places.

The cons are the crowds since most of the tours take their groups to the locations at the same time of day. I took the tours but regretted it a bit. I could not afford to rent a car at the time but visiting all the beautiful places in the desert, I felt as though the crowds of people took away a bit of the experience. If you are traveling alone or with just one friend, I suggest making friends at the hostels and renting a car with a couple of other people. 

What to see 

In the town of San Pedro, you can book tours to go see the different highlights around the desert. The following tours are the ones I took and loved. One tour I did not take e

El Tatio
@thegoodlandbeyond
Prepare for really low temperatures as this excursion takes you to high altitudes. Be careful to stay on the designated footpaths and make sure to take some photos, because this place is truly breathtaking.
Add to
Details
Los Flamencos National Reserve
@thegoodlandbeyond
Add to
Details
Valle de la Luna
@thegoodlandbeyond
Add to
Details
Piedras Rojas
@thegoodlandbeyond
Add to
Details
Valle del Arcoiris
@thegoodlandbeyond
Add to
Details

Another must-do is the Astronomical Tour at Night to see the incredible desert night sky. Unfortunately, I visited Atacama during the full moon so all night tours were canceled. One day, I would love to return just for this experience alone.

If you have more than just 3 days, I highly recommend taking the tour from the Atacama desert to the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia (or vice versa). I did not have the time but we talked to people who had the best time. You can book tours and go with a group, it is usually a three-day tour incl. food and accommodation.

Cafés & Restaurants 

San Pedro de Atacama is a small town yet there is a good amount of food options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Here are my recommendations:

Add to
Details
Las Delicias de Carmen
@thegoodlandbeyond
Add to
Details
Franchuteria
@thegoodlandbeyond
Add to
Details
Estrella Negra
@thegoodlandbeyond
Vegetarian restaurant 🌱 Fair prices, good vegan empanadas. Coffee with vegan milk alternatives (not very common in Chile)
Add to
Details
Salon De Té O2
@thegoodlandbeyond
Add to
Details
Add to
Details
Heladería Babalú
@thegoodlandbeyond
Add to
Details
Add to
Details

Where to stay

As the town is bustling with backpackers from around the world, I recommend booking a hostel. It's a fun way to meet fellow travelers and maybe even find some travel buddies to rent a car with. 

Check out Hostelworld or Booking.com for good hostel options. 

Have fun exploring Atacama, it's truly a magical place. ✨

Love, 

Lena

* * *
CURATED BY
Lena Kristin Müller
Welcome to my travel shop! 👋🏻 As a true lover of foreign cultures and a passionate traveler, I can't wait to share my insights and experiences with you. My adventure began in 2010 when I left Europe to become a foreign exchange student in Los Angeles, California. Since then, I have called Mallorca, Spain, and Chile temporary homes that have left big footprints on my heart. I want to bring value to your future trips by sharing my carefully curated maps, expert tips, and, most importantly, the locals' perspective on destinations. By delving into the heart and soul of each place, we can unlock unforgettable adventures and meaningful connections. Let my travel guides be your passport to inspiration. Together, let's break free from the confines of our comfort zones and embrace the thrill of exploring the unknown. So pack your bags, open your mind, and get ready for a world of exciting possibilities. Love, Lena ✨ P.S. To check out my travel and landscape photography, feel free to take a peek at my blog thegoodlandbeyond.com 📷⛰️
Send A Tip
Support Lena Kristin Müller’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Feeling overwhelmed?
Thatch can help.
Send a request and we'll handpick a list of Thatch-verified travel creators who would love to help with your trip.
No request is too big or small...
"Research places for beach trips this winter."
"Help me plan a romantic getaway to Milan."
"Find and book kid-friendly activities in Paris."
"Curate a walking tour of historic Berlin."
"Suggest wineries worth visiting in Napa."
You can relax now :)
Person laying on a bed relaxing
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Lena Kristin Müller Privacy Terms