San Pedro de Atacama Chile is surely one of the most incredible places I’ve been in my entire life. The driest desert in the world, San Pedro de Atacama is home to incredible geysers, salt lakes, volcanos, altiplanic lagoons, other-worldly landscapes, and a crazy amount of adventures.
During my time there, I did quite a few San Pedro de Atacama tours to some of the most popular sites around the area. Most of the awesome things to do in San Pedro de Atacama are within a few hours of the main town, making it a perfect hub for excursions and points of interest in the Atacama desert.
Atacama is a City That Runs on Tours
Once you arrive in Atacama you will understand it runs on tours. See, most of the things to do in San Pedro de Atacama are day tours – half-day tours, at that. There are dozens of tour companies in the town that run more-or-less the same tours to different places each morning and afternoon.
I booked all my tours in advance through Denomades – an awesome tour agency that works with local operators throughout Chile and South America. I was super happy with the San Pedro de Atacama tours they booked me on, as well as my Atacama to Uyuni salt flats tour I did afterwards – which was bookable as a 6 day tour (blog post on Bolivia coming soon!).
Whether you book in advance or not, it would be wise to make a schedule of morning/evening/night tours tailored to your own interests and timings when visiting San Pedro de Atacama Chile, and book tours from there (choose from my lists below).
Most of the morning tours will leave quite early – at least by 6-7am if not 4:30 like the El Tatio Geyser tours generally do (or at least did when I was there). Morning tours will return by the early afternoon(1ish or before), and most afternoon tours will leave around 2-3pm, leaving you some time to eat and explore.
How Long Do I Need in San Pedro de Atacama Chile?
Days where you do two or more tours will definitely be long. So, be wary of your energy levels, especially after getting up early and possibly staying up late. I recommend staying longer and giving yourself ample time to rest, explore the town, relax, and also do at least 4-5 half-day tours.
I would say to spend 3 days minimum there, if not 4-5 days or a whole week+. Three days is enough to do the main tours, but if you have 4-7 days you can take it easier and also do more of the smaller tours to less popular yet equally amazing sights.
Which are the Best San Pedro de Atacama Tours?
Well, this one is totally objective! There are 5 or 6 tours that are the most popular, and 6+ more available as well. I’ll let you know all the tours that are available, the ones that I did, possible other ways to see certain places, and finally, recommend an itinerary for your trip to San Pedro de Atacama Chile.
I’ll split them up with tours that are in the morning and afternoon so you can visualize more easily which you can fit together.
San Pedro de Atacama Tours
Now, I will break the best tours in San Pedro de Atacame Chile into times of day. No matter which company you go with, they will run at the same time of day because certain things to do in San Pedro de Atacama are better in the sunrise or afternoon/evening time.
Morning Tours in San Pedro de Atacama
Altiplanic Lagoons + Atacama Salt Flats Tour in San Pedro de Atacama
This tour takes you to the famous Chilean flamingo lagoons amidst its rough and rocky salt flats, and then to some more incredible lagoons very high up in the volcanic mountains.
You’ll start the day with a small walk around the Atacama Salt Flats, taking photos of the pink flamingos in front of the mountainous landscape. These salt flats are very churned up and rocky, unlike some smooth and flat salt flats you see elsewhere. Afterwards you’ll get a lovely breakfast with the group.
On the way up to the volcanoes, you’ll stop in a tiny village with an extremely old church, and get to greet some locals selling crafts. The landscape slowly changes as you ascend higher and higher, until you turn into the 4200m elevation Altiplanic Lagoons (lagunas altiplanicas) beneath a score of volcanoes.
You can take photos in front of both lakes – Miscanti and Miñiques – which are overshadowed by huge volcanoes of the same names. The lakes are a deep blue and green, and are stunning against a landscape of 5 volcanoes. These 5 volcanoes resemble the 5 fingers of a hand emerging from the earth, which is where it got its’ name “God’s Hand” or “El Mano del Dios.”
You’ll have time to explore and shop in the little indigenous town of Toconao on the way back.
Extra Costs: CLP $10,000 to enter Altiplanic Lagoons
Timings: About 6:30/7am to 2pm
El Tatio Geysers Tour San Pedro de Atacama
This is an early (and freezing) wake-up call, but an incredible experience.
The El Tatio Geysers are over 4300m in elevation, which is why it is wise to do this tour on the last day after you have adjusted to the altitude a bit more. You will arrive before sunrise to watch the light come up over hundreds of geysers, both small and large, spewing hot smoke hundreds of feet into the air.
The El Tatio Geysers are a volcanic geyser field, formed by minerals rising to the top of boiling volcanic water and hardening – which is what we are standing on! If that sounds slightly dangerous, you’re right! 😛 There is also a hot spring to swim in, and some larger geysers to marvel at as well. When you’re done, breakfast will be served as you warm your hands up with hot coffee.
On the way back you will stop at another beautiful viewpoint over another lake to learn about the wildlife and see some 10,000-year-old indigenous homes whose walls still stand. Lastly, you’ll stop at a cute little village where you’ll have the opportunity to try fresh llama meat.
Extra Costs: CLP $15,000 to enter Geysers
Timings: About 4:30/5am to 1-2pm
Tara Salt Flats Tour (Salar de Tara)
The Salar de Tara is yet another salt flat in this region of the world, actually quite close to Chile’s border with Argentina and Bolivia. You’ll visit some amazing viewpoints in the Andes. I didn’t do this tour, but you may want to consider it if you have more time – see the link below for more info.
Extra Costs: Entry fee included
Timings: About 7:30/8am to 3-4pm
Rainbow Valley + Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs Tour
Another popular tour (that I didn’t get to), the Rainbow Valley + Petroglyphs tour will take you through some incredible colorful rock formations and historical petroglyphs as well as more beautiful landscapes.
Extra Costs: CLP $5,000 to enter Rainbow Valley
Timings: About 7:30/8am to 1/1:30pm
Afternoon/Sunset Tours in San Pedro de Atacama
Moon Valley/Valle de La Luna Tour in San Pedro de Atacama
EVERYONE must do this tour when visiting San Pedro de Atacama Chile! It’s the closest to the town, and is actually reachable via bike, if you’re up for a challenge.
However, tours will easily and cheaply take you to all the points of interest you need. Firstly you will drive through the other-worldly landscape of Moon Valley to see the ‘Three Marias’ or ‘Tres Marias,’ which are three almost impossible-looking rock formations formed my erosion over millions of years.
Next you will walk through the valley and explore and crouch your way through some salt caverns before jetting back up to the top of Moon Valley in the tour van for the sunset. The is surely one of the most spectacular sunsets as the focus changes from the crazy moonland view to turn the distant mountain and volcanoes pink.
Extra Costs: CLP $10,800 to enter Moon Valley
Timings: About 2:30/3pm to 7:30/8pm
Cejar Lagoon, Los Ojos de Salar, + Laguna Tebinquiche Tour
This was one of my favorite tours! You start by visiting the Cejar Lagoon, which is a lagoon formed inside of a salt flat. Because of this, they say it’s 30% saltier than Dead Sea! It was a crazy feeling to jump into it – I just floated right back up to the surface like a buoy, and quite easily just bobbed around without moving a single muscle. Not to mention the view was amazing!
Los Ojos de Salar are two ‘sinkhole lagoons’ – quite literally meaning lakes formed by sinkholes. Both of the sinkholes are right next to each other and quite circular, giving the appearence of two eyes, or ‘los ojos.’ They are very incredible!
Lastly, you will visit the best sunset spot ever – Laguna Tebinquiche. This was honestly one of my favorite sunsets in South America. The completely still lake shows 360 degrees of perfect reflections of all the surrounding mountains. As the sun begins to set, the mountains and therefore reflections begin to turn incredible shades of orange, pink, and red. There are little salt deposits all over the lake that add to the beauty, and if that wasn’t enough, our tour ended with snacks and pisco sour drinks!
Extra Costs: CLP $15,000 to enter Cejar Lagoons (expensive, but I say worth it)
Timings: About 2:30/3pm to 7:30/8pm
Puritama Hot Springs Tour
You can actually sign up for this tour in the morning or afternoon, but as the entry is cheaper in the afternoon, I recommend that! There are 8 hot springs at Puritama where you can bathe in the warm water in yet another mountain landscape.
Extra Costs: CLP $30,000 General or discounted after 2pm M-F
Timings: About 1:30pm to 5:30/6pm or 7:30/8am to noon
Night Tours in San Pedro de Atacama
Stargazing Tour
San Pedro de Atacama Chile is known to have the best stargazing in the WORLD. That’s pretty huge, and also means that if you leave this place without going somewhere special to check out the starts then you are definitely missing out big time.
Many companies have stargazing tours nightly, which will go out of town into a non-light polluted area to learn about astronomy, identify stars and planets, and look through telescopes. I actually learned so much on my starazing tour about constellations, star signs, astronomy, and more, and saw some really interesting things through telescopes (such as saturn’s rings!).
I couldn’t recommend this tour more highly – it’s a must. Make sure to sharpen your skills on astrophotography before going to get some epic clicks – learn about astrophotography camera settings here.
Extra Costs: None
Timings: Usually a few time slots after sunset, for 2.5 hours each
or simply ask your hotel/hostel for other timings if you don’t mind waiting to book
Are there more epic and adventurous things do in San Pedro de Atacama?
I’m glad you asked. It turns out that you can get even more extreme out here in the driest desert in the world, if you want. Check tour agencies in town for tours to go sandboarding or to climb any of about 5-8 volcanoes on multi-day treks up to 6000m in elevation. Phew!
Don’t want to stress about booking lots of tours?
Luckily for you, you can book multi-day San Pedro de Atacama tours where everything is already sorted for you. Check out this 4-day tour without accommodation and ALL the main sights you must do(best value and you can choose your own accom – see below), OR this massive 12 day tour of all of Chile from San Pedro de Atacama (including the to tours) and ending in Patagonia.
San Pedro de Atacama Chile City Guide
Well then, what is there to do in the actual town?! Turns out, there’s lots. There are a few happening bars, great food, and amazing shopping with a South American flair.
What to Eat in San Pedro de Atacama Chile
One word: empanadas. Chile is known for its empanadas, which might actually be better-called calzones or something here because they’re nearly always bigger than your head.
You can get these at most convenience stores, but there’s one place at the end of the main street called Cafe Katarpe on the right side (if you are facing west/towards Moon Valley/away from the volcanoes and Argentina) that has AMAZING empanadas, sandwiches, and other warm and scrumptious delights.
Some sit-down places to check out are Blanco (a restaurant tied in with a trendy mall), Burger Garden (great burgers if you want something a bit more familiar) and La Picada del Indio (traditional).
Lola Bar seemed to be pretty happening at night time, with live music and dancing going on a lot of the time.
Shopping in San Pedro de Atacama
If there’s one thing you do here, it’s to peruse the markets. There are amazing shops lining the streets of town, and also a bigger market near the main square (Plaza de San Pedro de Atacama) and also a bigger artisanal market nearer to the bus station.
Where to Stay in San Pedro de Atacama Chile
Atacama has tons of accommodation options on all ends of the budget scale. After researching hotels pretty heavily and choosing between some really nice places, I decided to get back in touch with my inner backpacker and stay at a hostel in the heart of town.
These days, I sort of split my time between hotels and hostels, and this time I had been traveling solo through South America for ages and felt like being a bit more social. This hostel ended up being one of my favorite I have stayed in in my life, but I still know about the best hotels in the area because I was very close to staying at them, too. So anyway, here are the best options:
Budget Accommodation San Pedro de Atacama
Hostal Rural
This is where I stayed and where I would fully recommend for backpackers in Atacama. I was not sponsored or anything, but truly appreciated the aesthetics of the space and the vibe of the place as a whole.
It was full of dreamcatchers, succulent plants, and cute vintage decorations and art made from old wood. Walls were covered with psychedelic murals and colorful glass, there were hammocks hanging in the main area, and it was all in all just a generally rad place to be in.
The general facilities were nice- nothing to particularly write home about, but I just loved the place in general. People were social and I appreciated the group food nights and getting to know other backpackers over some beers and a bonfire.
Comfort Accommodation San Pedro de Atacama
Terrantai Lodge
A trendy and VERY central boutique hotel.
Tierra Atacama
5-star hotel + spa with amazing pool and facilities, a bit more remote.
My San Pedro de Atacama Tour Itinerary
I didn’t stay as long as I would have liked to, but these are the tours I did in my three days in Atacama (and explored the city in between/before/after)!
Day 1
Afternoon : Moon Valley Tour
Night: Stargazing Tour
Day 2
Morning: Altiplanic Lagoons + Atacama Salt Flats Tour
Afternoon: Cejar Lagoon + Los Ojos + Laguna Tebinquiche Sunset Tour
Day 3
Morning: El Tatio Geysers Tour
Well, I hope this has helped you plan (or inspired you to plan) your trip to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. Have you been to Atacama? Is there anything I should add to this guide? Are you planning a trip now? Let me know in the comments!
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Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.