The Mysterious and Majestic Atacama Desert: A Guide to Visiting this Unforgettable Place

Which continent has the driest desert on earth? Some compelling choices here exist: Africa’s massive Sahara region or the Kalahari, which is a bit further South, The Arabian desert in West Asia or the Gobi in China or Mongolia. Americans might point to the Mojave or the Sonoran straddling the border with Mexico. They are all good guesses, but they are not correct. However, the Arctic and the Antarctic circles have hyper-arid points that can rival anywhere on the planet, but if you want to talk about actual desert regions. The driest place in the world is an overlooked thousand-mile-long valley in South America between two mountain ranges near the coast. It is the Atacama Desert. The Atacama Desert is proven to be the driest desert on earth. 

When you discover the Atacama desert at daybreak, you can’t tell the feeling you have journeyed to another world where time has become a matter. Within a second, the earth is flooded with light. Within hours, these shadows will completely disappear. The salt crystals, shards of gypsum and rivers of limestones are thousands of years old. People think this desert is eternal, unchanging and immune to degradation. To understand the fragile Atacama, you must explore it in the footsteps of desert guides. 

Famous for being the driest desert in the world, the Atacama desert attracts tourists worldwide. People visit the Atacama to get up close and personal with the elements for this strange experience, called the desert sensation. Faced with the flow of visitors, the Chileans learnt to get organized. All the guides are inhabitants of the village of Toconao.

Five million years ago, this spot was home to a vast saltwater lake, but the water slowly evaporated, leaving behind a crust of salt that is more than 14.00 meters thick in parts. This salt flat is one of the desert’s most popular spots. It is one of the most fragile spots as well. 

Where is the Atacama Desert?

The Atacama desert is located in southern Peru and northern Chile. In terms of sheer size, it is a long strip of land about 1.600 km long. It is established to occupy about 105.000 square kilometres. It’s quite a coastal desert, but it is incredibly close to the Pacific Ocean, falling in the valley between the Andes mountains to the east and the Chilean coastal range to the west in southern Peru. The desert areas even extend beyond the mountain range and to the coast. 

How to Get to the Atacama Desert?

First, you need to fly to Calama Airport; then, you will go to San Pedro de Atacama. Some options exist for going from the airport to San Pedro de Atacama. A bus is an option, which would take about one hour and 45 minutes. Price ranges from 16 US$ to 65 US$. You can also take a taxi for 1 hour and 14 minutes. It is the fastest way to go. It costs from 85 US$ to 110 US$. Another option is to drive. You can rent a car that would take 1 hour and 14 minutes. Prices range from 11 US$ to 16 US$. You can also use the shuttle bus, which takes about one hour and 25 minutes. It is the second fastest and the lowest-priced means of transportation. Prices range from 15 US$ to 100 US$. 

Best Time to Visit the Atacama Desert

The Atacama desert is an out-of-season destination because it receives little rain and has relatively constant temperatures. Since you are on the edge of a desert, the weather is relatively consistent: dry and hot. 

Summer (December to February): Summer is the high season. However, San Pedro de Atacama isn’t crowded in the weeks before Christmas. So, you can usually have reasonable offers for staying or trips.

Daily temperatures range from 16C to 30C. However, summer is technically the rainy season in northern Chile. Rain is relative.

Autumn (March to May): May is an ideal month to visit as it’s cooler. May and June are the low seasons when you can get good deals. The advantage of coming in the low season is that you can pay a reasonable price for a shared trip. In low season, the classic spots you must visit at a particular time of day are much less busy. 

Winter (June to August): Nighttime temperatures can drop to 4C. Although daytime temperatures are still around 22C, it can be cold at night. However, the clear winter skies make this the ideal time for stargazing in the Atacama. It is recommended that you come in June or August, as July is the winter holiday in Chile, so many locals go to Atacama.

Spring (September to November): reserve the trip ahead if you’re planning to visit Chile in mid-September, as on 18 September, which is National Independence Day, many Chileans would like to move to Atacama. The blustery months in San Pedro are October, November and December. Still, it is not a cold wind since summer is just around the corner. And this is a perfect time to come if you combine the Atacama with a trip to Patagonia. Patagonia is on the other side of the country.

Is there a Life in the Atacama Desert?

Unexpectedly, some water in an area receives almost no rain. A few lagoons and rivers exist, such as the San Pedro in the Atacama desert. Where there is water, there is life. The desert is home to some animals, plants and people. There are several natural resources in the Atacama desert. There are many copper mines where 33 Chilean miners became trapped underground for 52 days. The Atacama desert is the home of the ALMA telescope. It is the most extensive and most expensive telescope project in the world. These circumstances show that people and industry can survive in even demanding conditions.  

Exploring the Atacama Desert

San Pedro de Atacama: It seems to have survived time. Although there is little electricity and limited Wi-Fi, it is an authentic yet well-equipped place that boards thousands of guests annually.

You can enjoy the maze-like streets of San Pedro, see its gift shops and cafés, and be stunned by the history of its church, built in 1557 in the main square. You can also visit the artisan’s fair, which has some typical products from the area. There are various hotels to stay in. Then, you can go on tours of the surrounding attractions. You can also rent a bicycle, but always be aware of the features of the places you would like to visit.

Los Flamencos National Reserve: It was created in 1990. It aims at protecting wildlife species like the Culpeo fox, vicuñas and pumas, and vegetation like the Tamarugo and the Carob tree. Having it on your that youst of things to do in San Pedro de Atacama is recommended. The Los Flamencos National Reserve is separated into various sectors. It is distributed over an extended space of land, which includes some attractions like the Valley of the Moon, the Tara Salt Flat, the Pujsa Salt Flat, High Andean Lagoons (Miscanti and Miñiques), the Atacama Salt Flat, Tulor Village or the Tambillo sector, with its 370-hectare forest of Tamarugo trees.

Cycling in the desert: The best time for cycling is early morning and evening as it gets hot during the day. You need to keep yourself hydrated, use sunscreen and wear a cap. Renting a bicycle is not expensive, and it is best to do sightseeing around San Pedro de Atacama. You can also get to the Moon Valley, the Death Valley and Devil’s Throat. There are many places available in the town to rent a bike. If you stay in the valley for the sunset, just remember to get a bicycle lock and a light. You can also take photos and enjoy the scenery. 

Go hiking in the Atacama: You must carry much water to stay hydrated. The hiking route can go through Death Valley. You can combine two activities: hiking and camping. The hiking experience is excellent. If you just want to go hiking, the Death Valley is most likely the best option.

Sandboarding: If it is your first time trying sandboarding, do it in the Atacama. There are some nice, impressive sand ridges to slide down. Most of the sandboarding tours happen in Death Valley as there are many suitable dunes of various sizes and slopes’ inclinations. Going down and standing is not as easy as it seems, and it’s not like snowboarding. You can go down, lie on your stomach, or sit on the board. It is exciting and fast, unlike slow and clumsy standing and going down. You need to keep yourself hydrated and use sunscreen. It is better to wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants for extra sun protection. 

Tatio Geysers and Baños de Puritama hot springs are about 80 kilometres from San Pedro. It is one of the Atacama Desert’s most famous landmarks. They are remarkable columns of steam that spring from within the earth’s crust. It is located at an altitude of 4,200 meters, making it a unique spectacle. Around the geysers, you can see vicuñas, one of the rarest species of the lama. You can enjoy a tour with a guide. The geysers are located at a very high altitude, so it’s recommended to spend a couple of days in the desert to get used to the altitude and avoid altitude sickness. While going back to San Pedro, you can stop at Baños de Puritama. It is a hot spring oasis made of well-built rock pools descending through a gorge. They extend about 60 kilometres from the Tatio geysers and 28 kilometres from San Pedro. Children under 9 years and pregnant women are not allowed. People over the age of 70 are not allowed as well. Those over the age of 70 need to bring a medical certificate,

Salt Flats Route: The tour takes you east of San Pedro de Atacama, towards the Andes Mountain Range. The first stop is the Licancabur lookout. Then, you can stop at the wetland of the Quepiaco River, where you can enjoy the contrast between vegetation and the mountain range. After that, you go to the Pacana lookout to visit the Monjes de la Pacana (Pacana Monks). They are giant stone pillars that rise all alone in the middle of the desert. Then, you can visit the Quisquiro Salt Flat at more than 4,000 m of altitude. Finally, on your way back to San Pedro de Atacama, you pass by the Aguas Calientes Salt Flat, famous for its coloured waters. The tour is about six and a half hours. Kids under seven and pregnant women are not allowed.

Wild Life in the Atacama Desert

The flamingo is one of the most remarkable birds in the world. You can find three of the world’s six flamingo species at the edge of the Atacama desert. The Andean flamingo is one of the rarest and most threatened flamingo species. Estimates show that only about 30.000 of these birds are left in the wild. Its close rare relative, the James or Puna, was considered extinct and rediscovered in the mid-1950s. The third species is the Chilean, with a population of over 300.000. They are more widely distributed across South America than the other two species. 

On this high desert plateau, two of the unique mammals of South America are guanaco and vicuña—the larger guanaco-occupied areas from sea level up to 14.000 feet. The smaller vicuña roam at altitudes between 10.000 and 16.000 feet. In the overlap zone, we found both species. Vicuña is grazing just below the road, and nearby is a small herd of guanaco. Both species are members of the biological family Camelidae. This family includes two domestic versions, the lama and the alpaca. There is a very rare bipedal lama. The viscacha looks like a rabbit but is part of the rodent family. Its habitats are in rocky areas at altitudes from 2500 to 17.000 feet, where it tries to escape from the Culpeo fox. 

The Culpeo fox is an opportunistic predator that feeds on various prey and shows high adaptability to different habitats, from high deserts to temperate rainforests. Turning to birds, you can find a barred sandpiper in the same lagoon as the flamingos. Its long wings cover the tail and enable one of the longest bird migrations of up to 9.000 miles. This bird nests in the High Arctic tundra and the winter as far south as the tip of South America, preferring drying lakes up to 15.000 feet in elevation. The Giant coot builds large nests out of aquatic vegetation. It is so large that it is too heavy to fly. It tips the scales at around 5 pounds, compared to the American coot at one and a half pounds. This is the only coot with red legs; these feet are their primary weapons for fighting for their territory. 

The Atacama desert is also an excellent place to find the scarce Andean goose. Several research papers have revealed that this goose has developed a mutation in its haemoglobin, which stores more oxygen and allows them to fly very high and live high in the Andes at altitudes between 10.000 to 20.000 feet. Next are two species that are also high altitude specialists listed as scarce or not often seen. Gulls are usually called seagulls, but that doesn’t apply to the Andean Gull. This gull inhabits the high plateau region far away from the sea. The most common song in this region comes from the rufous corralled sparrow, which has been studied for its diverse vocalizations. 

You can also find the most widely distributed bird in the world in the Atacama desert. Although the Atacama is the driest desert on earth, other than in polar regions, life is adapted and can thrive unless man intervenes in the quest for resources. Fortunately for these flamingoes and other adaptable life forms, nature reserves have been set aside, and controls are being posed on mining and development, which should help limit the destruction of these habitats. Hopefully, the quest for understanding humanity’s place in the universe, as represented by ALMA, would also take us past the Lithium age to technologies that would have less impact on this environment and allow these animals to continue flourishing in nature.

Flowers in the Atacama Desert

The Atacama desert is the driest desert on earth. However, due to the higher-than-usual amount of winter rains, this desert bursts into a banquet of flowers. For years, Chilean examiners have collected plant samples from the Atacama desert and followed their DNA to understand how, against all odds, they can survive in one of the harshest places on earth. Some parts of the desert receive rain only once in a few centuries. Some plants have found a way to cope with extreme dryness, high altitude, poor nutrient soil and excessive radiation from the sun. These are generally small, deep-rooted, thorny plants that can go deep underground to get some of the moisture found there. These include the saltbush, tufted grass,  ‘tola’ shrubs, rice grass, buckwheat bush, black bush, ferns, black sage, little leaf horsebrush, and Chrysothamnus. 

Over 200 species of flowers inhabit the Atacama desert. Some lay dormant in the soil for years until rainfall causes them to sprout. The flowers appeared in the desert’s spring during October and November. Flowers of all colours seemed all over the desert but above all in the coastal region. One of the most beautiful types of flowers is the “añañucas” which grows in several different colours. In addition, there is the “Lion’s Foot” in tons of red and yellow, which can reach 3 inches in diameter but is, unfortunately, nearing extinction. During the long, arid spells, the seeds lie patiently under the desert stones, hiding their seeds below the surface for several years and sometimes decades. If there is enough rain in the spring, the flowers emerge in extraordinary numbers, even in places you would never expect to see them.

Luxury Hotels in the Atacama Desert

Nayara Alto Atacama is one of the top-rated hotels in the Atacama desert. It is a 5-star hotel. It is ideal for trendy and family trips. Alto Atacama is situated in the fertile Catarpe valley. It extends to 3.5 hectares, with a park area of 2 hectares. The Hotel features 42 spacious rooms. The Hotel offers free parking, high-speed internet, complimentary breakfast, a pool, free airport transportation, and a business centre with internet access. The Hotel features a hot tub, a bar, a spa, a restaurant, dry cleaning, a 24-hour front desk, meeting rooms, a bicycle tour, a heated pool and many more. There are 3 room types. Most of the rooms feature a private balcony, minibar and sofa. Prices vary according to the room type and the facilities. 

Tierra Atacama is a 4-star hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. The Hotel offers free parking, high-speed internet, complimentary breakfast, a pool, free airport transportation, horseback riding and a business centre with internet access. The Hotel features a hot tub, a bar, a spa, a restaurant, dry cleaning, a 24-hour front desk, meeting rooms, a bicycle tour, a heated pool and many more. There are 2 room types. Most rooms feature AC, a private balcony, housekeeping, room service, a minibar and a sofa. Prices vary according to the room type and the facilities.

Explora en Atacama is a 5-star hotel. It has 50 spacious rooms. The Hotel offers free parking, high-speed internet, complimentary breakfast, a pool, free airport transportation, and a business centre with internet access. The Hotel features a rooftop terrace, hot tub, hiking, a bar, a spa, a restaurant, dry cleaning, a 24-hour front desk, meeting rooms, a bicycle tour, a heated pool and many more. There are 3 room types. Most rooms feature bathrobes, a telephone, a whirlpool bathtub, a hairdryer and a sofa. Prices vary according to the room type and the facilities. 

Awasi Atacama – Relais & Chateaux is a 4.5-star San Pedro de Atacama hotel. The Hotel offers free parking, high-speed internet, complimentary breakfast, a pool, free airport transportation, and a business centre with internet access. The Hotel features a hot tub, a bar, a spa, a restaurant, dry cleaning, an outdoor dining area, meeting rooms, a concierge, a sun terrace, an ironing service, laundry service, a butler service and many more. There are 2 room types. Most rooms feature AC, a private balcony, housekeeping, room service, and a sofa. Prices vary according to the room type and the facilities.

Terrantai Lodge Andino is a 4-star hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. The Hotel offers free parking, free internet, and complimentary breakfast. The Hotel features breakfast in the room, 24-hour security, yoga glasses, a complimentary tee, complimentary coffee, dry cleaning, a 24-hour front desk, outdoor furniture, a concierge, a special diet menu, an ironing service, laundry service, butler service, walking tours, taxi services and many more. There are 3 room types. Most rooms feature extra-long beds, bottled water, wake-up service, complimentary toiletries, and a sofa. Prices vary according to the room type and facilities. 

Hotel Neo Casa de Atacama is a 4.5-star hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. The Hotel offers free internet, airport transportation, and breakfast. The Hotel features breakfast in the room, 24-hour check-in, spa, baggage storage, sun umbrellas, dry cleaning, 24-hour front desk, pool towels, shops, kids’ meals, an ironing service, laundry service, butler service, a poolside bar, a breakfast buffet and many more. There are 3 room types. Most rooms feature extra-long beds, bottled water, wake-up service, complimentary toiletries, and a sofa. Prices vary according to the room type and the facilities.

Dos in the Atacama Desert

• You need sunscreen for the trips into the wide-open spaces of the Atacama desert.
• It is recommended to have warm clothes, such as a jacket, as the Atacama desert is cold at night. 
• You can get some medicine for high altitude sickness, headache and nausea.
• You should wear a swimming suit to spend time in the saltwater lagoons. 
• It is recommended that you bring cash as there are few ATMs.
• It is recommended that you hire a local travel agency after you arrive. 

Don’ts in the Atacama Desert

• You mustn’t disturb the birds or make too much noise when you are by the lagoon. 
• It is not recommended to rent a car and drive by yourself in the Atacama desert, as it is unsafe because of the harsh conditions there.