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  ABOUT SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA |
One of the most widely visited places in Chile, this tiny oasis village of about 3,000 is situated in the middle of the Atacama Desert, and as a result has become a very popular starting point for many of the attractions this natural wonder has to offer.
Like their ancestors, most of the inhabitants still raise crops to sell in the market and in Calama. With narrow streets of adobe buildings and native carob, chañar and pepper trees, San Pedro de Atacama still retains much small town charm.
Despite being mainly an embarkation point for adventurers and nature-lovers alike, the town of San Pedro de Atacama is certainly worth exploring. The plaza in the center of the tiny town is quaint and relaxing, and a look at the Church of San Pedro is also interesting.
Dating back to 1641, the church has suffered from a string of earthquakes over the years, but because the rain is so scarce here, its adobe construction has been preserved quite well. It is also interesting to note that the builders of the church also employed wood of the cardón cactus and leather straps instead of nails.
An absolute must see in this region are the geysers of El Tatio. Situated 50 miles outside of San Pedro, they are best seen at dawn, when they spout as high as 30 ft. into the air and explode into a variety of gorgeous colors. The 20,000 ft. mountains in the background provide for a beautiful backdrop.
18 miles north of San Pedro, one finds the Spas of Puritama. The water here is about 91 degrees, and rises from underground to feed several swimming pools perfect for swimming and relaxing after a viewing of El Tatio. Another incredible aquatic experience is the Green Lagoon, a magnesium rich, 10-square mile-lake situated across the border in Bolivia.
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The glassy green surface is like a mirror, producing a clear reflection of the nearby 19,000 foot Licancabur volcano. Due to its mysterious and enchanting setting, this area was considered extremely sacred by pre-Columbian inhabitants.
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One must be sure to pay a visit to the largest salt flat in Chile, the Salar de Atacama. With its top encrusted with a layer of salt, the Salar is home to all types of flamingos, which dot the lake during the day. Situated on the west side of the Salar de Atacama is the Valley of the Moon. Perhaps one of the most other-worldly areas on earth, it has been deemed the same as one of the most inhospitable due to its lack of humidity, plant and animal life.
Wind-swept for thousands of years, this area is home to bizarre, beautiful, and desolate shapes which are a sharp contrast to the clear blue sky overhead. Because of its barren landscape and lack of life, it is no surprise that NASA has used this area for years to train its astronauts.
Also worth visiting are the pre-Columbian villages of Tulor and Toconao. Both situated very close to San Pedro, one can get a glimpse of the harsh and desolate life in the desert thousands of years ago. Tulor is thought to be almost 3000 years old, and Toconao is famous for its buildings made from volcanic rock.
San Pedro de Atacama is great for visiting all year round, although it can be somewhat cloudy and a bit colder from September to February.
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Our Team
