Atacama Desert
Subregion

Atacama Desert

Earth's driest desert reveals otherworldly landscapes and starscapes

The Atacama Desert doesn't mess around. This is Earth's driest non-polar desert, where some weather stations have never recorded rainfall. But here's what makes it incredible: that extreme dryness creates landscapes so alien that NASA tests Mars rovers here. You'll find salt flats that stretch to infinity, geysers shooting steam at dawn, and flamingos wading in impossibly blue lagoons. And the night sky? It's so clear that major observatories from around the world set up shop here. The Atacama sits in northern Chile, sandwiched between the Andes and the Pacific Coast Range. Most visitors base themselves in San Pedro de Atacama, a dusty town that's become adventure central for desert exploration.

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The Atacama stretches across 40,600 square miles of northern Chile, roughly the size of South Korea but with about 1% of the population. It's wedged between two mountain ranges - the Andes to the east and the Chilean Coast Range to the west. This creates a rain shadow effect so intense that parts of the desert average less than 1mm of rainfall per year. Some areas haven't seen rain in recorded history. The landscape shifts dramatically as you move around. Near San Pedro de Atacama, you'll find red rock formations and salt flats. Head north toward the Bolivian border and you hit high-altitude lakes dotted with flamingos. Go west and you'll encounter the driest spots on Earth, where the soil is so sterile it mirrors Martian conditions. The elevation varies wildly too - from sea level on the western edge to over 14,000 feet in the eastern highlands. This altitude difference means you can experience multiple climates in a single day trip.

Money-Saving Tips

  • 1.Book tours directly with operators in San Pedro rather than through hotels - you'll save 20-30% on the markup
  • 2.Stay in hostels or guesthouses instead of resort hotels - rates drop from $200+ to $30-50 per night
  • 3.Buy water and snacks in Calama before heading to San Pedro - prices double in the tourist town
  • 4.Share 4WD rental costs with other travelers - split between 4 people brings daily costs down to $20 each
  • 5.Pack a good sleeping bag instead of paying for heated accommodations - many places charge extra for heating
  • 6.Visit during shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October) when tour prices drop and accommodation deals appear

Travel Tips

  • •Bring lip balm, moisturizer, and eye drops - the desert air will dry you out completely within hours
  • •Pack layers for extreme temperature swings - 70°F days can drop to 20°F nights in the same location
  • •Start taking altitude sickness medication 24 hours before arrival if you're sensitive to elevation
  • •Download offline maps before heading out - GPS and cell service disappear quickly outside town centers
  • •Always carry more water than you think you need - dehydration happens fast at altitude and in dry air
  • •Book stargazing tours during new moon phases for the clearest night skies
  • •Wear closed-toe shoes even in summer - the ground gets scorching hot and there are thorny plants everywhere
  • •Bring a good camera with extra batteries - the cold drains battery life faster than normal

Frequently Asked Questions

Fly into Calama Airport (CJC) which has direct flights from Santiago. From there it's a 1.5-hour drive to San Pedro de Atacama, the main base town. You can rent a car, take a bus, or arrange a transfer through your accommodation.

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