Best sights in Atacama

Atacama Highlights

Explore the diverse heritage of the Atacama region, spanning pre-Columbian history and the 19th-century mining boom. This selection includes the 15th-century Inca metallurgical center of Viña del Cerro and the ruins of Juan Godoy's silver mining settlement. Coastal viewpoints like Mirador Lobera offer sightings of local marine life, while high-altitude sites like Termas de Laguna Verde provide access to geothermal springs near the Andes. The list also highlights architectural landmarks such as the stone Acueducto de Amolanas and the historic Hacienda Nantoco.

Atacama Highlights — Map

A

Acueducto de Amolanas

A 19th-century stone masonry aqueduct built to power the Amolanas silver refinery. It is preserved as a National Monument of Chile.

B

Ruinas del poblado de Juan Godoy

Remains of the mining town serving the Chañarcillo silver mine, discovered in 1832. The site includes ruins of stone houses and mining infrastructure.

C

Embalse Santa Juana

A 100-meter-high dam and reservoir in the Huasco Valley designed for irrigation and water management in the arid landscape.

D

Playa Bahia Inglesa

Coastal area characterized by white sands and shallow turquoise waters, located near the port of Caldera.

E

MIrador Huasco

Elevated viewpoint offering panoramas of the Huasco port, the Pacific coastline, and the mouth of the Huasco River.

F

Mirador de Flamingos

Observation point situated near high-altitude lagoons, used for spotting Andean, Chilean, and James's flamingos in their natural habitat.

G

Plaza Carlos Condell de Caldera

The central square of the port town, surrounded by historic buildings and featuring a traditional bandstand and 19th-century urban design.

H

Termas de Laguna Verde

Natural thermal pools located at 4,300 meters above sea level on the banks of a hypersaline lake near the Ojos del Salado volcano.

I

Mirador Lobera

Coastal observation deck providing views of resident sea lion colonies on the rocky outcrops of the Atacama shoreline.

J

Palacio Incaico La Puerta

Archaeological site along the Copiapó River valley containing stone structures used as an administrative center by the Inca Empire.

K

Centro Metalúrgico Incaico Viña del Cerro

Pre-Columbian industrial site featuring 26 smelting furnaces used by the Incas for copper processing during the 15th century.

L

Hacienda Nantoco

Historic 19th-century manor house representing the agricultural and mining wealth of the Copiapó Valley during the silver boom.

M

Iglesia de Nantoco

A mid-19th-century wooden chapel built on the grounds of the Nantoco estate, featuring traditional colonial-style architecture.

N

Casa de José Joaquín Vallejo (Jotabeche)

The 19th-century residence of writer José Joaquín Vallejo, a prominent figure in Chilean literature known as 'Jotabeche'.

Other Lists

Atacama Region Essentials Volcanoes & Andean Peaks Religious Heritage in Atacama Coastal Parks & Beaches