Atacama Desert
Chile's high desert, where salt flats, geysers and some of the clearest night skies draw travelers to San Pedro de Atacama.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
The Atacama Desert lies in northern Chile, between the Andes and the Pacific coast, and it is one of the driest places on Earth. The land is made of salt flats, volcanoes, canyons and geothermal fields, with few towns and long distances between them. Most trips use San Pedro de Atacama, a small town at about 2,400 m, as a base. Altitude shapes the plan: a day at the geysers or high lakes is harder on the body than a day in the lowland desert.
The desert is best known for the El Tatio geysers at dawn, the Salar de Atacama and Moon Valley, and for stargazing, since the air is dry and the sky is dark. Many trips add the high Andean lakes or the coast. The cooler months from April to October are the usual choice. The altiplanic rains from about January to March can close roads and cut access to some sites. Plan at least three to four days, with an easy first day or two to adjust to altitude.
Atacama Desert in five
- Acclimatize before the high tripsSan Pedro sits at about 2,400 m, and the El Tatio geysers and altiplano lagoons are above 4,000 m. Do the lower valleys first.
- Dress for freezing dawns at El TatioGeyser tours leave around 4–5am to catch the steam at sunrise, when it is often below zero. Bring gloves and a warm jacket.
- Plan stargazing around the moonNight-sky tours are best on moonless nights. Around the full moon, many tours change or cancel.
- Book site tickets aheadValle de la Luna and several lagoons are run by local communities with daily limits. Check hours and buy tickets before you go.
- Carry sun cover and extra waterDry air, thin atmosphere and strong UV catch visitors out even on cool days. Take water, a hat and sunscreen on every tour, and drink more than feels necessary.
Need to know
- Airport
- Calama (CJC), about 1.5 hours by shuttle to San Pedro
- Getting there
- Flights from Santiago to Calama; buses from Calama and Salta
- Getting around
- Tours from San Pedro or a rental car; many roads are gravel
- Best base
- San Pedro de Atacama
- Time needed
- 4–5 days
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuarySummer storms
- FebruaryAltiplano rain
- MarchClear
- AprilClear, mild
- MayCold nights
- JuneFreezing nights
- JulyWinter holidays
- AugustWindy
- SeptemberClear skies
- OctoberClear, mild
- NovemberWarm days
- DecemberWarm
Right now in Atacama Desert
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 17°
- Humidity
- 10%
- Wind
- 27 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Atacama Desert
05:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today22°7°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 22°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue22°8°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 22°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed24°10°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 24°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu24°11°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri24°10°0%Friday: Clear. High 24°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat24°10°0%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 24°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun23°11°0%Sunday: Clear. High 23°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 01:28 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 990.8 CLP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- El Tatio geysersAbout 1.5–2 hours by road, predawnGeyser field above 4,000 m at sunrise.
- Altiplano lagoonsAbout 2 hours by roadMiscanti and Miñiques at high altitude.
- Uyuni salt flat, BoliviaThree-day toursMulti-day 4x4 trips cross into Bolivia; check entry rules for your passport.Read the guide
Before you go to Atacama Desert
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Atacama Desert, checked
- Check Chile's entry requirements for your nationality on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (minrel.gob.cl) before you fly.Source
- Chile restricts fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and many plant products. Declare them on arrival and check the SAG rules at sag.gob.cl.Source
- San Pedro de Atacama sits at about 2,400 m above sea level. Spend your first day resting and drinking water before any hard walks.
- Los Flamencos National Reserve is run by CONAF. Stay on marked tracks and follow the posted park rules.
Plan around Atacama Desert
Santiago, Patagonia, the Lakes and Easter Island
Read the guideSantiago, the flight gatewayMost trips connect through the capital to Calama
Read the guideTorres del PainePair the desert with Patagonia's W trek
Read the guideBoliviaUyuni salt flat tours start from San Pedro
Read the guideEntry and border rulesCheck passport rules before a Bolivia crossing
Read the guideTravel insuranceCheck the altitude limit in the policy
Read the guideAtacama Desert FAQ
How many days do I need in the Atacama?
Four to five days lets you acclimatize and fit in Valle de la Luna, the lagoons, El Tatio and a stargazing tour.
Does it rain in the Atacama Desert?
Rarely, but the altiplanic winter brings storms to the high areas in January and February. Roads and sites can close for a few days.
Do I need a car in San Pedro de Atacama?
No, tours cover every main site. A car gives more freedom, but high roads are gravel and you must know the altitude risks.
What is the best time to visit the Atacama Desert?
March to May and September to November are the safest windows: clear skies, mild days and fewer tour disruptions than the altiplanic winter in January and February. June to August nights fall below freezing; December and January are busiest.
Is altitude sickness a risk in San Pedro de Atacama?
It can be. San Pedro sits at about 2,400 m, while El Tatio and the lagoons are above 4,000 m. Do the lower sights first, drink water, skip alcohol the night before a high tour and tell your guide about headaches or nausea.