Practical Info Atacama
Arrival and Further Travel
- Calama Airport (CJC): 100 km west of San Pedro. Flights from Santiago (2h, from 40€ with LATAM, Sky, or JetSMART). Transfer to San Pedro: Shuttle bus (15,000 CLP, 1.5h) or private transfer (60,000 CLP per vehicle)
- Bus from Santiago: 22–24 hours with Turbus or Pullman Bus (30,000–50,000 CLP in Cama seat). Only for the hardiest — flying is the better choice
- Bus from Calama: Hourly, 1.5h, 5,000 CLP
- Continue to Bolivia: San Pedro is the gateway to the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia! Multi-day tours (3 days/2 nights, from 150 USD) cross the border and lead through salt deserts, colorful lagoons, and geysers on the Bolivian side. One of the most legendary border crossings in the world
Booking Tours
All tour agencies in San Pedro offer the same tours — but the quality varies:
| Tour | Duration | Price (approx.) | Best Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valle de la Luna (Sunset) | 4h | 15,000–20,000 CLP | Afternoon |
| Geysers del Tatio (Sunrise) | 7h | 30,000–45,000 CLP | 4:00 AM Start |
| Salar de Atacama + Lagoons | 8h | 25,000–40,000 CLP | Full Day |
| Lagunas Altiplánicas + Piedras Rojas | 10h | 35,000–50,000 CLP | Full Day |
| Star Tour (Astronomy) | 2.5h | 25,000–40,000 CLP | 9:00–11:30 PM |
| Laguna Cejar (Swimming) | 4h | 20,000–30,000 CLP | Afternoon |
| Termas de Puritama | 4h | 20,000 CLP + 35,000 CLP Entry | Afternoon |
Achtung
San Pedro de Atacama is at an altitude of 2,440 m — and many tours lead to 4,000–5,000 m. Use the first day to acclimatize (only Valle de la Luna or explore the village). Drink 3–4 liters of water per day. Mate-de-Coca tea (legal!) helps against altitude symptoms. Sunscreen SPF 50+ is essential for survival — the UV index in the Atacama reaches values above 11 (extreme!).