San Pedro de Atacama

District ·🇨🇱 Chile

Area 23,666 km²

Time zone America/Santiago

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Explore San Pedro de Atacama

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

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

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

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

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

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.

San Pedro de Atacama