Ever dreamed of what it’d be like to beam yourself up to a nearby planet?
Chile’s Atacama Desert may be the next best option, featuring desiccated salt flats, inhospitable wildlands, and vast lifeless landscapes that NASA uses to test instruments for outer space. One of the harshest places on earth, the Atacama may at first sound dull, empty, or even devoid of water; however, it’s none of those things.
This thin coastal desert, squeezed between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains, is riddled with oases where it bursts to life, both in fertile river valleys and on the semi-arid Altiplano thousands of feet above. Moreover, with the planet’s tallest volcano, highest geysers, oldest mummies, and clearest skies, you’ve got a recipe for an epic adventure. Below, we detail how to make the most out of your visit.
Oases, Volcanoes, and Moonscapes: Best Places to Visit in Atacama
For most international tourists, San Pedro de Atacama may as well represent the entire desert. This quaint little oasis town near the regional mining hub of Calama draws the vast majority of foreign visitors. It’s easy to see why; San Pedro is surrounded by puffing volcanoes, ethereal moonscapes, steamy hot springs, and elegant desert-chic hotels. The downtown area is also walkable and filled with Andean restaurants, craft vendors, and adventure outfitters, all tucked behind humble adobe facades.
Atacama’s World-Class Surfing and Archaeological Treasures
The Atacama’s major cities line the Pacific Coast and attract far fewer international tourists. Iquique and Arica are both world-class surfing hubs. Arica also attracts archaeology buffs seeking glimpses of Incan ruins or the world’s oldest mummies, which can be found in the nearby Azapa Valley. Antofagasta, further south, is the most cosmopolitan city in the Atacama, featuring a string of high-rise buildings that lend it a bit of a Miami-in-the-desert vibe. Bahia Inglesa, even further south, is the most picturesque coastal resort, boasting sugary white beaches that lead to clear turquoise waters.
Best Things to Do Beyond San Pedro
Many iconic images of the Atacama Desert originate from the Altiplano, which is approximately 4,000 meters (13,125ft) above sea level. This high-altitude plateau is filled with turquoise lagoons, llama-filled plains, and sizzling salt flats.
While San Pedro is the most common departure point for trips to the Altiplano, to explore less-visited areas, consider the parklands above Copiapó or Arica. The former serves as a base for adventures to Parque Nacional Nevado Tres Cruces, where flamingo-filled lagoons, multi-hued hot springs, and a panorama of 6,000-meter-plus peaks await. Mountaineers from around the world flock here to climb Ojos del Salado, the tallest active volcano in the world.
The Altiplano above Arica is dotted with numerous Indigenous Aymara hamlets such as Putre, the best place to acclimatize for journeys into wildlife-rich parklands nearby, including Parque Nacional Lauca and Reserva Nacional Las Vicuñas.
Adventure Activities in Chile’s Atacama Desert
In addition to hiking and mountaineering, other popular activities include sandboarding, fat-biking, off-roading, and paragliding (particularly in Iquique). However, stargazing ranks among the Atacama’s greatest appeals. San Pedro de Atacama and the Elqui Valley are premier hubs, thanks to the presence of major international observatories.
Fans of ancient rock art should explore the Geoglifos de Pintados near Iquique, where khaki mountains are blanketed in geoglyphs that rival those found in Nazca, Peru. Nearby, you’ll also find the Gigante de Atacama, the largest prehistoric anthropomorphic figure in the world. For those interested in more recent history, the dozens of ghost towns on the pampa, including the UNESCO-listed Humberstone, provide a telling snapshot of how the Nitrate Boom (1880s to 1920s) transformed Chile into the nation it is today.
From Backpackers to Jet Setters: Where to Stay Near the Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama is, without a doubt, the most common base for visitors to the Atacama, appealing to both dust-covered backpackers and well-heeled jet setters.
The Elqui Valley also rivals as a hub with a week’s worth of attractions, though it lies just south of the Atacama proper. Those in search of sand and sea make a happy home in Bahia Inglesa, while surfers head to Arica or Iquique.
Copiapó is among the more appealing cities in the heart of the desert, featuring a good selection of hotels and day-trip access to both serene beaches and stunning Altiplano landscapes. Tiny towns with big charm include Pica, a desert oasis near Iquique known for lime production used in pisco sours, and Putre, a high-altitude Aymara village near Arica on the overland route to Bolivia.
The Best Time to Visit the Atacama Desert
Unlike other regions of Chile, there’s really no bad time to explore the Atacama Desert. In fact, the coastal northern cities are known as places of “eternal spring,” as temperatures hardly change from month to month. However, because it’s a desert, no matter the season, expect temperatures to drop significantly post-sunset.
If beach activities are your main draw, you might prefer the warmer summer months (December to March) when ocean temperatures are more bearable. Summer is also the best time for mountaineering trips. This season, however, brings sporadic rains on the Altiplano, making some roads impassable. January and February can see destinations like Bahia Inglesa, Iquique, and San Pedro crowded with domestic tourists.
Winter (June to September) offers pleasant midday temperatures at lower altitudes. However, a heavy jacket is necessary for the evenings, particularly when heading up to the Altiplano, where temperatures can dip below zero, and snow is possible. For excellent deals and favorable weather, visiting during the shoulder seasons is recommended.
How to Get to and Around the Atacama Desert
There are no direct flights to the Atacama Desert from abroad. Travelers must first fly into Santiago and then connect onward to La Serena (for the Elqui Valley), Copiapó, Antofagasta, Calama (for San Pedro), Iquique, or Arica. Bus services connect all of these hubs efficiently, but to truly venture into nature, consider organized tours or renting a vehicle.
It’s generally not practical to rent a car in Santiago and drive all the way to the Atacama, as this distance is considerable and fuel can be costly. Consequently, most visitors prefer to rent a car at a northern airport upon arrival. Generally, the roads are good; however, they can become challenging on the Altiplano, where they may transition into sand traps. Many high-altitude roads are prone to potholes and can be difficult to navigate; therefore, carrying an extra jug of gas is advisable.
Backpackers often opt to travel by bus to the Atacama from neighboring countries. Common departure points include Salta (Argentina), Tacna (Peru), La Paz (Bolivia), and Uyuni (Bolivia). If you’re traveling by bus from Santiago, expect a journey of up to 24 hours to reach places like San Pedro.
Safety recommendations and restrictions during a pandemic can change rapidly. It’s essential for travelers to check with local authorities for the most current guidance regarding travel during Covid-19.
