San Pedro de Atacama Travel Guide – Attractions & Tours

Featured Lists

San Pedro de Atacama: Absolute Must-Sees

Located in the high-altitude Atacama Desert, San Pedro de Atacama serves as a base for exploring the diverse geology of northern Chile. The region features the Cordillera de La Sal's jagged salt formations, the high-salinity waters of the Cejar and Baltinache lagoons, and the volcanic silhouettes of Licancabur. Archaeological sites like Pukará de Quitor provide insight into pre-Columbian fortification, while the Chaxa and Tebenquiche lagoons offer habitats for Andean flamingos within the Los Flamencos National Reserve.

11 places

Lorna-Lorna / CC BY-SA 3.0

Hidden Gems

San Pedro de Atacama’s secluded sites range from the hypersaline Cejar Lagoon, where high salt concentrations allow for effortless floating, to the 12th-century stone fortifications of Pukará de Quitor. The Quebrada de Jerez provides a rare desert oasis with a wooded canyon and swimming pools. Geological exploration continues in Devils Canyon, known for its winding rock formations and trails suitable for biking or horse riding. In the village of Toconao, the central plaza features a historic bell tower built from local volcanic stone.

5 places

Fabien Quétier / CC BY-SA 2.0 fr

Andean Volcanoes

This collection features the prominent stratovolcanoes and volcanic peaks of the Central Volcanic Zone in the Chilean Andes. Ranging from the active Láscar, known for frequent ash eruptions, to the iconic conical Licancabur on the Bolivian border, these formations define the high-altitude landscape of the Atacama region. The list includes several peaks exceeding 6,000 meters, such as Acamarachi, and the Zapaleri tripoint where the borders of Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina meet.

20 places

Heretiq / CC BY-SA 2.5

Viewpoints and Natural Wonders

This collection highlights the dramatic geological formations of the Atacama Desert. It features the salt-crusted peaks of the Cordillera de la Sal, the high-altitude Altiplanic lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques, and the geothermal activity of Volcán Putana. Notable sites include the Monjes de la Pacana—towering volcanic rock pillars—and the iron-rich red stones of Piedras Rojas. Visitors can observe Andean flamingos at Laguna Chaxa and explore the impact history of the 663,000-year-old Monturaqui crater.

37 places

PIERRE ANDRE LECLERCQ

Ancient Archaeological Sites

This collection showcases the archaeological heritage of the Atacama Desert, featuring sites from the pre-Inca and Inca periods. Highlights include the 12th-century Pukará de Quitor, a defensive stone fortress built into a hillside, and the Aldea de Tulor, one of Chile's oldest sedentary villages characterized by circular adobe structures. The list also features the Hierbas Buenas petroglyphs, where hundreds of ancient rock carvings depict local fauna and nomadic life, providing insight into the cultural evolution of the Likan Antai people.

7 places

Archiesteel / CC BY-SA 3.0

Wetlands and Lakes

This collection highlights the diverse aquatic landscapes of the Atacama Desert, ranging from the hypersaline waters of Cejar Lagoon, where salt concentrations exceed those of the Dead Sea, to the high-altitude brackish lakes of Miscanti and Miñiques. The list includes the Salar de Atacama, Chile's largest salt flat, and the remote crater lake atop Licancabur volcano. These sites serve as critical habitats for Andean flamingos and specialized high-altitude wildlife within the Los Flamencos National Reserve.

12 places

San Pedro de Atacama — Map

Climate & when to visit

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Good

11°–30° · varies by region
4° at night
1–11 rainy days · varies by region
28 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 17 · extreme

Typical weather in February

Good

11°–29° · varies by region
4° at night
1–10 rainy days · varies by region
25 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 16 · extreme

Typical weather in March

Good

10°–29° · varies by region
3° at night
1–7 rainy days · varies by region
30 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 15 · extreme

Typical weather in April

Good

7°–26° · varies by region
1° at night
0–3 rainy days · varies by region
29 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in May

Fair

4°–23° · varies by region
-1° at night
0–1 rainy days · varies by region
29 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in June

Fair

2°–22° · varies by region
-3° at night
0 rainy days
28 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in July

Poor

2°–22° · varies by region
-3° at night
0 rainy days
29 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in August

Fair

4°–23° · varies by region
-2° at night
0 rainy days
30 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in September

Fair

6°–25° · varies by region
-1° at night
0 rainy days
29 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 12 · extreme

Typical weather in October

Good

8°–27° · varies by region
0° at night
0–2 rainy days · varies by region
31 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 14 · extreme

Typical weather in November

Good

10°–29° · varies by region
2° at night
0–4 rainy days · varies by region
30 sunny days
13 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 16 · extreme

Typical weather in December

Good

11°–29° · varies by region
3° at night
0–8 rainy days · varies by region
30 sunny days
13 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 17 · extreme

This destination spans several climate zones, so these figures are a range across the region rather than exact values. Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025