Hello, Lykkers! San Pedro de Atacama is the kind of place that makes you feel like you have landed on another planet. It is a small oasis town in northern Chile, surrounded by some of the most otherworldly landscapes on Earth: salt flats, steaming geysers, and rock formations that look carved by a giant.

The town itself is a base camp for adventure, and you will spend your days exploring the wilds before collapsing into a cozy hostel or restaurant at night. Here are six must-see places to build your trip around.

This is the classic Atacama experience, and it earns the hype. The valley is a surreal landscape of salt caves, giant dunes, and wind-sculpted rock formations that genuinely look like the surface of the moon. The best time to go is late afternoon so you can watch the sunset paint the valley in shades of orange and purple.

Entry is roughly US$10 for foreign visitors, and you must buy your ticket online in advance. The park limits visitor numbers, so booking ahead is essential. Most tours include transport and a guide, which is the easiest way to visit.

El Tatio Geysers

You will have to get up brutally early for this one, as most tours leave around 4:00 or 5:00 AM, but it is worth it. El Tatio sits at over 4,200 meters, making it one of the highest geothermal fields in the world. At dawn, the freezing air meets the steam from the geysers, creating towering columns of white vapor that are genuinely spectacular. The entrance fee is about US$15 per person, usually included in tour packages that also provide breakfast. Be prepared for the altitude; it is a good idea to acclimatize in San Pedro for a day or two before going.

Piedras Rojas and the Altiplanic Lagoons

This is a full-day excursion that takes you high into the Andes, past the turquoise waters of Laguna Miscanti and Miñiques, to a surreal landscape where the ground is literally red. The color comes from oxidized iron in the soil, and the contrast with the blue water and white salt flats is stunning. The entrance fee for the altiplanic lagoons and Piedras Rojas is around US$30 for foreigners. Because this area is above 4,000 meters, you really need to take it slow and drink plenty of water.

Laguna Chaxa (Salar de Atacama)

If you want to see flamingos in the wild, this is your spot. Laguna Chaxa is a saltwater lagoon inside the Los Flamencos National Reserve, and it is home to three different species of flamingos. The landscape is a vast, flat expanse of white salt crust, and the silence is profound. Entry is roughly US$14 per person, and it is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It is an easy stop to combine with a tour to the altiplanic lagoons.

Reserva de Conservación Puritama

After all those early mornings and high-altitude hikes, you deserve a break. Termas de Puritama is a series of natural hot springs at the bottom of a canyon, with water around 33°C. The pools are connected by wooden walkways, and the setting is surprisingly lush with native vegetation. Entry is about US$37 per person, and you must reserve online in advance because capacity is limited. It is a perfect half-day relaxation stop.

Stargazing Tour

The Atacama Desert has some of the clearest skies on the planet, and a stargazing tour is an absolute must. You will look through telescopes at distant galaxies, nebulae, and planets while a guide explains the southern sky. It is humbling and beautiful. Tours vary, but expect to pay around US$30–50 per person depending on the operator and whether it includes transport. Book this for a clear night early in your trip so you have backup nights if it is cloudy.

Getting There

Most travelers reach San Pedro de Atacama by flying into Calama's El Loa Airport (CJC), about 100 kilometers away. From the airport, shared shuttles run directly to San Pedro and cost around US$25–30 per person for a round trip, taking roughly 1.5 hours. Public buses from Calama to San Pedro are cheaper, with tickets starting at about US$16 one way. A private taxi from the airport costs significantly more, around US$70–90. Book your shuttle in advance during high season, as seats fill up quickly.

Where to Stay

San Pedro is a small town, and most accommodation is within walking distance of the main street, Caracoles. Hostal Camino del Inca offers double rooms from about US$65–78 per night, with free parking and breakfast included. For a more central option, Inti & Killa Hostal has rooms with access to an outdoor pool and is a five-minute walk from the Meteorite Museum. Budget hostels in town start at around US$24–30 per night for a dorm bed if you book well in advance. Prices rise sharply in peak season (December–February), so reserve early.

Where to Eat

The town's restaurants cluster along Caracoles and the surrounding streets. For good value, La Picada Del Indio serves a changing daily set menu (starter, main, and dessert) for around US$8–11. San Antonio is another affordable spot, with a homemade lunch of lentil soup, main dish, and sides for about US$8–10 per person. If you want something more polished after a long day, Las Delicias de Carmen offers Chilean dishes like cazuela and pastel de choclo, with prices around US$10–26 per person.

Final Thoughts

San Pedro de Atacama rewards readers who plan around the altitude and the sun. The town is small, the food is hearty, and the landscapes are genuinely unforgettable. Book your tours and entrance tickets in advance, especially for Valle de la Luna and Puritama, and give yourself at least three or four days to acclimatize and explore without rushing. The desert does not care about your schedule, but it does reward your patience.