Things to Do in the Atacama Desert: 13 Highlights & Tips

Where is the Atacama Desert?

The Atacama Desert is one of the top attractions in Chile and should be on every South America itinerary. Its exact boundaries aren’t clearly defined — the desert stretches across the entire northern part of Chile and into the southern part of Peru.

The southern boundary lies near the Chilean city of Copiapó, and in Peru near Arequipa. To the west, it borders Argentina and Bolivia.

When people talk about the Atacama Desert as a travel destination, they almost always mean San Pedro de Atacama — a small town in the heart of the desert, near which you’ll find the most stunning things to do in the Atacama Desert.

The Base: San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama is the ideal base for your visit to the Atacama Desert. Almost every traveler heading into the desert books their accommodation in San Pedro.

The town has countless tour operators offering excursions to the local attractions. You can also rent bikes or simply wander around San Pedro itself — it’s absolutely worth exploring.

Our Hotel Recommendations in San Pedro de Atacama

Atacama Desert Attractions on a Map

We’ll now take a closer look at the best highlights in the Atacama Desert. To help you get a sense of where everything is, we’ve marked them all on a map.

Top 3 Things to Do in the Atacama Desert

If you only have very little time in the Atacama Desert, make sure you don’t miss these three highlights. The whole itinerary is very manageable if you have two full days.

Valle de la Luna

The Moon Valley, Valle de la Luna, is a stunning landscape made up of sand dunes, extraordinary rock formations, and red stone.

A main road runs through the valley, with several small hiking trails branching off along the way. These lead you to viewpoints with breathtaking panoramas over the desert landscape.

The Valle de la Luna is only about 10 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama. The best way to visit is by car — you’ll be flexible and can take as much time as you need.

If you haven’t rented a car, guided tours are a great option too. These usually depart in the afternoon and take you to a viewpoint in the evening for a spectacular sunset.

A bicycle is another way to get there — but fair warning, it’s seriously exhausting! Don’t forget you’re in the driest place on earth. If you’re cycling, you need to arrive between 9:00 and 11:00 AM.

Tickets: Admission to the Valle de la Luna costs 10,800 CLP (about $10). Buy your tickets online on the official website — purchasing on-site isn’t always possible. Make sure to buy in CLP rather than USD (the USD price is more expensive). Otherwise, you can purchase your ticket at the entrance.

Guided tour to the Moon Valley with sunset

Stargazing

In the Atacama Desert, you’ll be treated to one of the clearest night skies in the world. Don’t miss the chance to do some stargazing — it’s honestly one of the most memorable experiences the desert has to offer.

A variety of astronomy tours depart from San Pedro. You’ll typically be driven to an observatory in the evening, where you’ll observe the impressive night sky both with the naked eye and through telescopes.

The best way to book a stargazing tour is through a local agency. They cost around 40,000 to 50,000 CLP (roughly $40–$50).

By the way: if you’re really into astronomy, you can also tour the Paranal Observatory. Located south of Antofagasta, it’s one of the most important and advanced observatories in the world.

Heads up: When planning your trip, keep in mind that the days around a full moon aren’t ideal for stargazing — the moon is simply too bright at that time.

El Tatio Geysers

The El Tatio geysers form one of the largest geyser fields in the world, sitting on the El Tatio volcano at an elevation of about 4,300 meters.

A geyser field is a vent where water shoots up from the ground like a fountain. This natural spectacle is especially impressive in the morning — and that means an early start.

If you join a tour, you’ll usually be picked up from your hotel around 4 AM. If you’re driving yourself, plan on waking up at a similar time.

Important: Dress warmly for this excursion. Up on the volcano, temperatures hover around 32–41°F even in summer. In winter, they can drop to -4°F.

Guided tours cost between $30 and $50 — depending on what’s included and whether you book online or on-site. The El Tatio Geyser tour from GetYourGuide is definitely a solid choice.

Tickets: Admission to El Tatio costs 15,000 CLP (about $15) if you’re visiting independently. Tickets are purchased on-site by card.

Guided tour to the El Tatio Geysers

More Atacama Desert Highlights

Ideally, you should set aside three to five days for the Atacama Desert. Because beyond the top three must-sees, there’s so much more to discover.

Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache

The Lagunas Baltinache are beautiful salt lagoons in the Atacama Desert. They make for a great photo spot and you can also swim in them — floating in the salt water is, for us, the coolest part of the whole excursion.

Just be aware: there are no showers at the Lagunas Baltinache, so you won’t be able to rinse off the salt afterward.

The lagoons are reachable from San Pedro by car or on a guided tour. Admission for adults costs 12,000 CLP ($11). For a tour, add another $25–$50 on top — depending on the operator.

Book a guided tour to the Lagunas Baltinache

Laguna Cejar and Laguna Piedra

This excursion is a great alternative to Baltinache. The two lagoons, Cejar and Piedra, sit right next to each other. At Laguna Cejar you can watch flamingos, and at Laguna Piedra you can swim.

Showers are available here, so you can rinse off the salt right after your swim — a big plus over Baltinache.

The lagoons are reachable by car, guided tour, or bike. Keep in mind that most of the route is gravel, so you’ll get a pretty bumpy ride on a bicycle.

Tickets: Admission to the lagoons is 15,000 pesos ($14) for adults. We’d strongly recommend buying your ticket in advance online on the website. The lagoon is closed on Tuesdays.

Laguna Chaxa and Lagunas Altiplánicas

The Lagunas Altiplánicas — Laguna Miñiques and Laguna Miscanti — are two gorgeous blue lagoons set in the middle of a volcanic landscape. They make for excellent photo subjects. Admission costs 10,000 CLP (about $9.50).

Laguna Chaxa may not wow you with particularly vivid water, but it more than makes up for it with the many flamingos strutting around in it. If you love these adorable pink birds, a trip to Laguna Chaxa in the Los Flamencos National Reserve is an absolute must. Admission costs 13,714 CLP (about $13).

Laguna Chaxa and the Lagunas Altiplánicas can easily be combined into a single day out. They’re situated at an elevation of about 4,000 meters — swimming isn’t permitted in any of the three. A guided tour costs about 30,000 CLP (about $36) — admission fees not included.

Piedras Rojas and Laguna Salar de Talar

Some excursions to the Lagunas Altiplánicas are combined with a visit to the Piedras Rojas and the Laguna Salar de Talar. This is a salt lagoon (also not suitable for swimming) that shimmers in a turquoise-green hue. In front of it lies a rocky plateau of red stones. The whole scene is a pure explosion of color!

If you’re after great photo spots in the Atacama Desert, this outing is perfect. The landscape is simply stunning and looks completely surreal.

Tickets: Admission costs 10,000 CLP (approx. $9.50). You need to book tickets in advance online on the website with a time slot, then pick them up in Socaire. If your time slot is at 1:00 PM, for example, the ticket must be picked up in Socaire by 12:00 PM. This is no problem at all, since the town is right on the way to the Piedras Rojas.
Important: It can get very windy at the Piedras Rojas. Pack a jacket, a hat, and sunglasses.

Ojos del Salar and Laguna Tebinquinche

Ojos del Salar roughly translates to “eyes of the salt” — and refers to two small, round lagoons in the middle of a salt landscape in the Atacama Desert. You can even swim in one of them.

From the Ojos del Salar, you can walk a little further to Laguna Tebinquinche. Swimming isn’t allowed there, but it’s a great spot for a stroll — and with a little luck, you might spot some flamingos.

The best way to get there is by car. Admission for both attractions together costs 6,000 CLP (about $6).

Valle del Arcoiris

Valle del Arcoiris means Rainbow Valley in English — and it’s well named. The rock formations here display countless vivid colors and make for a totally cool photo subject.

It can’t quite compare to the Rainbow Mountains — one of the top highlights in Peru — but you’re guaranteed an unusual and unique landscape that’s unlike anything else.

You can reach the Valle del Arcoiris by car or on a guided tour from San Pedro. Admission costs 5,000 CLP (about $5). For a guided tour, add another 25,000–40,000 CLP (about $25–$40).

Guided tour to the Rainbow Valley

Valle Catarpe and Garganta del Diablo

The Catarpe Valley is located only about six kilometers north of San Pedro and is perfect for a bike excursion — though you can also drive there by car.

The most famous highlight in the valley is the Garganta del Diablo canyon, but the viewpoint and the white church Iglesia de San Isidro are also absolutely worth seeing.

Admission to the reserve costs 5,000 CLP (about $5).

If you ride the full route by bike, you’ll cover 16 kilometers and pass all the highlights — getting to the viewpoint requires about a 30-minute walk uphill.

By car, you can only drive part of the route. To reach the viewpoint and the Garganta del Diablo, you’ll need to park halfway and walk about six kilometers round trip.

Termas de Puritama

The Termas de Puritama are natural hot springs with a water temperature of around 86°F — making this the perfect excursion for a well-deserved break and some proper relaxation.

The hot springs are located roughly halfway between San Pedro and the El Tatio geysers. Some travel agencies combine both into a single tour, which is a smart way to make the most of the early morning drive.

Admission costs around 35,000 CLP (about $33), depending on the time of day. If you book the hot springs as part of a tour, add another 20,000 CLP or so (about $24).

If you’re traveling by rental car, it’s best to book tickets in advance on the official Termas de Puritama website.

Cactus Tour in the Cañón de Guatín

The Cañón de Guatín is a small canyon where you can see countless cacti and a waterfall. This tour is great if you want to get a bit more active during your time in the desert.

A hiking trail runs through the canyon along a stream and past towering cacti. At the end, you’ll reach the waterfall where you can cool off. The trail isn’t difficult and takes less than an hour — it’s also well-suited for vacations with kids.

The best place to book a tour to the Cañón de Guatín is through a local agency in San Pedro. It costs around 25,000 CLP (about $24).

Volcano Hike

Volcanoes tower in the background almost everywhere in the Atacama Desert. So why not climb one? Several guided hiking tours up various volcanoes are available in San Pedro, with a wide range of difficulty levels to choose from.

Tour prices vary widely. Day tours and easier hikes start at around $70. Longer and more challenging tours cost around $200–$400.

Here’s a quick overview of the different volcanoes:

1. Volcán Láscar

• Elevation: 5,592 meters
• Difficulty: moderate
• Ascent time: 2–3 hours (day tour)
• Status: highly active (erupted in December 2022)
• Notable for: popular volcano tour from San Pedro
• Tour: Summit hike to Láscar Volcano

2. Volcán Licancabur

• Elevation: 5,916 meters
• Difficulty: difficult
• Ascent time: 6–7 hours (two-day tour)
• Status: active
• Notable for: popular volcano tour from San Pedro

3. Volcán Llullaillaco

• Elevation: 6,739 meters
• Difficulty: very difficult
• Ascent time: 5–7 hours (3-day tour)
• Status: active
• Notable for: one of the highest volcanoes in the world

4. Volcán Sairecabur

• Elevation: 5,971 meters
• Difficulty: moderate
• Ascent time: 4 hours (1–2-day tour)
• Status: inactive
• Notable for: a true hidden gem in Chile — usually very uncrowded

5. Cerro Toco

• Elevation: 5,604 meters
• Difficulty: easy
• Ascent time: 2 hours (day tour)
• Status: active
• Notable for: great for beginner hikers

Bonus tip: Salar de Uyuni

The Salar de Uyuni salt flats aren’t technically part of the Atacama Desert, but they’re one of the top attractions in Bolivia — and they’re located just across the border from San Pedro de Atacama, making the desert town a perfect jumping-off point.

The most popular way to visit the Salar de Uyuni is on a multi-day guided tour. Online you’ll mostly find tours departing from La Paz, but in San Pedro you’ll also find plenty of tours that start in Chile.

You’ll usually have the option of being brought back to San Pedro or continuing on to La Paz.

General Tips for the Atacama Desert

Now you know the best places to visit in the Atacama Desert. To make sure you’re perfectly prepared for your trip, here are a few more practical pointers.

Best Time to Visit the Atacama Desert

The great thing about the driest place on earth is that it almost never rains — so that’s one thing you genuinely don’t have to worry about.

That doesn’t mean it won’t get cold, though. San Pedro de Atacama sits at an elevation of 2,450 meters, and some attractions like the El Tatio geysers are located above 4,000 meters. Up there, especially during the winter months of June through August, it can get bitterly cold. For that reason, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend those months.

Otherwise, you’re good to go! From September through May, the Atacama Desert is a fantastic destination — for example, as a great travel destination in March.

What to Wear in the Atacama Desert

When packing for the Atacama Desert, you need to be ready for all kinds of temperatures. If you’re planning excursions above 4,000 meters, definitely bring a heavy jacket and warm long pants.

At places like the Valle de la Luna, it’s usually very warm and the sun beats down hard. So you’ll also want comfortable light clothing for the desert heat.

Swimwear is a must for the salt lagoons.

Getting to San Pedro de Atacama

The fastest way to reach San Pedro de Atacama is by flying into Calama. From Calama Airport, you can get to San Pedro by private transfer or taxi in about an hour.

Private transfer from Calama Airport to San Pedro

Getting Around in the Atacama Desert

You have several options for getting around the Atacama Desert. However, public transportation here is very limited.

Exploring the Atacama Desert by Rental Car

As we’ve already mentioned, we recommend exploring the Atacama Desert by car. It’s simply the best way to see the most attractions and stay on your own schedule. We covered most of our road trip through Chile by rental car.

If you plan to visit multiple attractions, a rental car will also save you a good amount of money — guided tours can get really pricey.

Compare rental car deals on Discovercars

Exploring the Atacama Desert by Bike

For the nearby attractions around San Pedro de Atacama — like the Moon Valley — you can also get there by bike. There are plenty of bike rental shops in San Pedro.

For a half day, you’ll pay around 7,000 CLP ($7), and for a full day, twice that.

Exploring the Atacama Desert by Bus

There are no public buses to the attractions in the Atacama Desert. In San Pedro, buses only run to Calama or nearby villages like Toconao.

Safety in San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro is a very safe town that relies almost entirely on tourism. On the outskirts of the center there’s a poorer neighborhood, but as a tourist you’ll likely never even notice it. In the center, you can walk around freely both during the day and in the evening.

As with anywhere in South America, the usual rule applies: always keep a close eye on your bags and valuables — pickpockets exist everywhere.

Stray Dogs in San Pedro de Atacama

One more thing worth mentioning: stray dogs. There are a very large number of them in San Pedro. Most of them won’t bother you. However, if you pay them too much attention, they may end up following you around all day — and that gets old fast.

So what do you do if a dog won’t leave you alone or jumps on you? There’s an unpleasant but effective trick. The dogs are (unfortunately) used to being pelted with stones — and some still are.

If you bend down and pretend to throw something, the dogs will take off on their own — but please, never actually throw anything at the animals!