San Pedro de Atacama | 3 Epic Days in the Chilean Desert

There’s a wealth of adventure to be discovered in Northern Chile. San Pedro de Atacama is the gateway to it all, situated perfectly for exploring the wonders of the desert region. Hiking through sand over colourful rock formations, swimming in hot springs near steamy, bubbling geysers, stargazing at one of the clearest night skies in the world, and that’s just the beginning. You could spend weeks seeing every sight but you’d end up dusty, dehydrated and broke. To hit up the best of the best, here’s a guide to three days in San Pedro de Atacama.

Itinerary | Three Days in San Pedro de Atacama

Day 1 / Walk the desert floor in Valle de la Luna.

Day 2 / Explore El Tatio Geysers, relax in a hot spring and be awed by the stars.

Day 3 / Discover the wonders of the salt flats.

Plus where to stay in San Pedro de Atacama, how to get to there and essential packing tips for the desert.

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San Pedro de Atacama Day 1 // Explore Valle de la Luna 

Morning | After you arrive and settle in, set out for a stroll around town before the sun starts beating down. Take in the dusty red streets and white stone buildings, meet the local strays lounging in the shade and pop into one or two of the many (many, many) tour shops to get a sense of your options. Spoiler alert: they’re all the same. Pop into a café for an empanada and head to the central Plaza de Armas for an oasis of trees gifting shade and enjoy the free wifi. Brave the tour shops once again to book your excursions for the next three days in Atacama.

Afternoon | Your first trip should be the region’s top sight: Valle de la Luna. A short mini-bus ride from town and you’ll be in the heart of the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth. Your guide will lead you up dunes as sand slides away with each step. At the top, sweeping views of the valley where a mineral-rich sea once lay. Now a fascinating landscape of folding rock and sand created by erosion and tectonics has been revealed. In the East, volcanoes poke up across the skyline. Some say the valley was named after the moon-like landscape. Others, the high concentration of minerals meaning moon in Greek.

Further into the valley are the strange, salty rock formations known as Las Tres Marías. The tour ends with an amazing sunset stretching out over the desert that casts the mountains in a vibrant pink. A captivating conclusion to the day.

Valle de la Luna | Top tips for booking 

• Hoards of people head to Valle de la Luna daily so there’s no need to book in advance.
• You can negotiate a last minute rate. Pop into a couple shops to get the best price.
• Ask how many people will be in your tour group. The less people the better. Ours had 8.
• Some tours also include Death Valley for a slightly higher rate if you want to see more of the desert.
• Alternative to a tour you can rent bikes to get to the valley. It’s cheaper but more strenuous. If you’re visiting by bike (or rental car) you have to enter before 1pm so best to save this option for day 2 or 3.

Evening | After a busy day of travel and touring treat yourself to our favourite restaurant in this modest town. Bendito Desierto is a covered outdoor restaurant sitting on the Western edge of San Pedro de Atacama. A favourite of locals for good cocktails, delicious basics and scrumptious specials, it isn’t the cheapest option but you’re guaranteed a good meal and a great atmosphere. The flaming wood fire keeps guests warm on cool nights and sets the tone for the evening. There’s often a live band starting late – this is Chile after all, no one dines before 9pm. Don’t stay out too long, you have an early morning ahead.

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San Pedro de Atacama Day 2 // The best of the desert from dawn to dark

Morning | Rise and shine before the sun and layer up for sub-zero temperatures. Your ride to El Tatio Geyser should be picking you up around 5am. After about an hour and a half of driving into the mountains you’ll arrive just as the sun peaks out to reveal steam puffing from the world’s highest and third largest geothermal field. Knowledgeable guides will walk you around the bubbling pools of water shooting up from the earth, rising steam creating a mystical atmosphere. Next you’ll get the chance to take a dip in the hot springs, a surprisingly relaxing experience (at least when you’re under the warm water).

The scenery on the ride back to town could be a tour all its own. You’ll visit a colourful marsh brimming with wildlife, a rocky ravine home to cacti and a lookout with a panoramic view of the desert. Some tours also stop by a small town to taste llama meat but we were cautioned that the experience is fabricated and the meat is actually beef due to the locals’ supply being unable to keep up with demand.

El Tatio Geysers | Why this is the one tour not to miss in San Pedro de Atacama

With so many tour options it can be hard to choose which to do and which to pass up when you only have three days in San Pedro de Atacama. If you’re on a budget or don’t have time to do them all this is the tour to pick.
Not just because you’ll be visiting the world’s third largest geyser field but because of everything else included in the tour. You’ll learn about the area’s history, flora and fauna, and local way of life. The long drive means the views are varied and the high altitude makes them even more impressive than what you can see from the valley floor.

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Afternoon | You’ll be back in town around noon with plenty of time to recover from the early morning. Enjoy the afternoon sun by the pool or sneak away for a nap in a hammock. It’s the perfect time to sample some gelato or a snack in one of the many mini-marts before having an early dinner.

Evening | Head to La Pica del Indio for a humble three course dinner that locals boast about. There’s often a line winding down the street when they open but service is fast so fear not. It’s nothing fancy but the price can’t be beat and the creations are satisfying and delicious. It’s also a great place to sample one of Chile’s quirkiest cocktails, the terremoto, or ‘tornado’. Named because a few could quite literally knock you on your feet.

Night | After the sun sets head to your pickup point for another one of San Pedro de Atacama’s most noteworthy tours: stargazing. The lack of light pollution and dry air make this region one of the best to watch the stars. Discover the Southern Hemisphere’s unique constellations like the Southern Cross and the Llama as well as other astrological classics. If you’re lucky a planet will be in view and you’ll be able to get a closer look using the mighty telescope.

San Pedro de Atacama Star Gazing | How to pick the best tour 

1. Inquire how many people will be viewing. And how many telescopes are there? Look for the lowest number of people per telescope.
2. Also, what is the strength of the telescope? The further you can see the better.
3. Is the tour operated by the same company you’re booking with? Always good if it’s the same.
4. What are they serving up? Warm Chilean wine is a nice treat. 

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San Pedro de Atacama Day 3 // Get salty

If you’re heading out on a 3-day trip from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni, Bolivia (and you should) you will have another early morning to join the rat race of vans itching to line up for the border crossing. 

Related // The Ultimate Guide to Salar de Uyuni

But if you’re saving or skipping Bolivia, the perfect last day in San Pedro can be spent visiting Salar de Atacama. The local salt flats may not be known for the insta-worthy reflections of the Uyuni salt flats across the border but the array of colours and unique terrain will transport you to another planet.

You can float in the salt-filled Laguna Cejar much like the dead sea. There’s also Laguna Chaxa where you can spot flamingos, and the picturesque pink Laguna Tebenquiche.

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San Pedro de Atacama | Where to Stay

As Chile’s tourist hub in the North there’s no shortage of accommodations in this humble town. From budget hostels squished between tour shops on the main streets to lavish resorts, there’s something for everyone. 

For the best somewhere in between option, we recommend staying at Domos Los Abuelos. This affordable oasis of cozy domes is only a few blocks outside of town. Comprised of relaxing hammocks, an outdoor living room and a refreshingly cool pool. If you’re on a tight budget they have a camping area for tents and ample parking for overlanders. The mid range offering is domes with a shared bathroom. Or you can splurge for a dome with ensuite for more privacy. Whichever you choose, it’s the best place to stay for three days in San Pedro de Atacama.

Hot tip: Ask for a packed breakfast before early morning tours. You won’t get made-to-order eggs but a juice box, and apple and a yogurt goes a long way.

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San Pedro de Atacama | Getting to the Desert

From Santiago | The easiest way to get to the desert is a cheap local flight. We always use skyscanner and find they have the best rates. Two hours to Calama (100km from San Pedro) will literally fly by. From there you can catch a minibus transfer for about 6,000 CLP ($10 USD).

Even though there are several flights a day, the cost will still be higher than domestic flights elsewhere in the world. So if you want to save a little cash you can take an overnight bus. They leave twice daily from the bus station which is easily accessible by subway. Check busbud for schedules and rates. 

From Valparaiso | There’s a daily overnight bus from Valpo. It’s about the same length as Santiago but a less common route that stops frequently along the way.

Related // Top 4 Reasons to Visit Valparaiso

From Antofagasta | If you’re on the West coast and heading inland it’s a breeze. A short 4 hour bus trip and only $25 USD to get to San Pedro. No need to book in advance, there are several each day.

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San Pedro de Atacama | Essential Packing

• Warm clothes – It may sound counter-intuitive to pack a fleece jumper, gloves and a beanie for your trip to the desert, but trust us, you’ll need it. It cools off drastically when the sun goes down at high altitudes. Expect sub zero temps when visiting the geysers or climbing volcanoes.
• A Bandana – When the wind picks up and you’re in the middle of the desert sand will get everywhere. It’s worth having a bandana around your neck to cover your nose and mouth.
• Hat + Sunscreen – It may go without saying but the sun is strong in the desert and burns can happen quickly. Keep your neck and nose lathered up and in the shade.
• Quality Lip Chap + Moisturizer – For when skin gets dry from the desert air.
• A Bathing Suit – To enjoy one of the many hot springs or lakes in the area.

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Where to Next?

A three day tour to Salar de Uyuni across in Bolivia is a bucket list worthy option.

If you’re looking for more adventure in Chile, consider trekking in Patagonia or a road trip through the Lake District.

Or head across the boarder to Salta, Argentina for amazing empanadas, folk music parties and beautiful mountains surrounding the city.

Enjoy your three days in San Pedro de Atacama! We sure did.