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Last Updated on 30 June, 2026 by Daniel Silvente
“You don’t arrive in San Pedro de Atacama, you land there.” This popular phrase perfectly describes the feeling many travelers have when they discover this part of northern Chile, where the landscapes look like they belong on another planet.
Desert valleys, salt flats, geysers, high-altitude lagoons, and rock formations make San Pedro de Atacama one of the most impressive destinations in South America. Places like the Valley of the Moon, known for its Mars-like scenery, make any trip to San Pedro de Atacama hard to forget.
In this guide, we’ll explain what to see in San Pedro de Atacama, where it is located, how to get there, and which tours you can take to discover its most spectacular landscapes. If you want to visit the desert with everything organized, with Howlanders you can book San Pedro de Atacama tours and choose the option that best fits your trip.
What to see in San Pedro de Atacama
Although its landscapes look otherworldly, you do not need to board a spaceship to get to San Pedro de Atacama. This small town is located in northern Chile, in the Antofagasta Region. It is very close to the border with Bolivia and surrounded by some of the most spectacular desert scenery in the country.
San Pedro de Atacama is unique for two main reasons. First, because of its geological conditions, which have created salt flats, volcanoes, lagoons, geysers, natural hot springs, and reddish desert valleys. Second, because it is the main starting point for many San Pedro de Atacama tours to the most impressive places in the area.
The Atacama Salt Flat and the Atacama Desert are the main highlights of the landscape. Many of the most popular excursions are organized around them, from high-altitude lagoons to geysers and valleys that look like Mars. So, if you are planning a trip to San Pedro de Atacama, the best thing to do is decide which places you want to visit and how many days you have available.
Atacama Salt Flat
The Atacama Salt Flat is one of the must-see places in San Pedro de Atacama. It is the largest salt flat in Chile and is located about 34 miles (55 km) from town, so it is usually visited on half-day tours or as part of a longer desert itinerary.
Its landscapes combine vast salt formations, intensely colored lagoons, and views of the volcanoes surrounding the area. One of the best-known places in the salt flat area is Cejar Lagoon, famous for its turquoise waters and high salt concentration. In fact, its salinity allows you to float easily, making it a very different experience from swimming in any other lagoon.
You can visit the Atacama Salt Flat on your own if you have a vehicle and experience driving in the area, but the most comfortable option is usually to join an organized tour. This way, you can make better use of your time, understand the context of the place, and combine the visit with other nearby desert highlights.
Uyuni Salt Flat from San Pedro de Atacama
Although it is located in Bolivia, the Uyuni Salt Flat is one of the best trips you can take from San Pedro de Atacama. In fact, this Chilean town is one of the main starting points to visit the largest salt flat in the world, which covers more than 3,860 square miles (10,000 km²).
The Uyuni Salt Flat tour from San Pedro de Atacama is a perfect option if you want to combine the Chilean desert with Bolivia’s high-altitude landscapes, colorful lagoons, volcanoes, geysers, and the famous white salt desert. Depending on the time of year, you may see the salt flat completely white or covered by a thin layer of water.
If you are planning a trip to San Pedro de Atacama and want to extend the adventure, this is one of the most complete experiences you can add to your itinerary.
Tatio Geysers
The El Tatio Geysers are another must-see place in San Pedro de Atacama. This geothermal field is located at high altitude and is one of the most important in the Southern Hemisphere. The best time to visit is at sunrise, when the contrast between the cold morning air and the geothermal activity creates large columns of steam.
The El Tatio Geysers tour usually leaves very early from San Pedro de Atacama. During the excursion, it is also common to stop in Machuca, a small Andean village where you can see traditional adobe and straw buildings and learn more about life in this part of the Chilean Altiplano.
Valley of the Moon and Death Valley of San Pedro de Atacama
The Valley of the Moon and Death Valley are two of the most iconic landscapes in the Atacama Desert. They are very close and are usually visited on a half-day tour, often in the afternoon to enjoy the sunset light.
Death Valley, also known as Mars Valley, stands out for its reddish tones, dunes, and rock formations that resemble the surface of the Red Planet. The Valley of the Moon, on the other hand, gets its name from its salt formations, whitish tones, and lunar-like scenery.
If you only have a short time, this is one of the best tours to start discovering the desert.
Rainbow Valley
Rainbow Valley is one of the most colorful landscapes in the area. Its name comes from the different shades found in its mountains and rock formations, where reddish, ocher, green, white, and yellow tones blend together.
In addition to the scenery, the Rainbow Valley tour usually includes a visit to the Yerbas Buenas petroglyphs, one of the most important rock art sites in the area. It is a very interesting excursion if you want to combine nature, geology, and local history in the same trip.
Piedras Rojas and High-Altitude Lagoons
Piedras Rojas is one of the most spectacular landscapes in the Atacama Altiplano. Its red rock formations, intensely colored lagoon, and volcanic horizon create one of the most impressive views on any San Pedro de Atacama tour.
This excursion is usually combined with other places around the Atacama Salt Flat and the high-altitude lagoons. It is a great option if you want to spend a full day discovering high-altitude landscapes, lagoons, volcanoes, and natural viewpoints.
Puritama Hot Springs
The Puritama Hot Springs are a great option if you want to add a relaxing moment to your trip to San Pedro de Atacama. These natural thermal pools are located in a canyon surrounded by vegetation, making them perfect for resting after several days of desert excursions.
The visit can be done in half a day, so it fits well if you are looking for a more relaxed activity or want to combine adventure and downtime during your stay.
It will be the perfect rest after doing the Torres del Paine O Circuit. The only problem is that there is no hotel so you can stay here for as many days as you want.
Los Flamencos National Reserve and Salar de Tara
Los Flamencos National Reserve protects some of the most representative landscapes of the Atacama Desert. Within this area, you will find salt flats, lagoons, rock formations, and places where it is possible to spot flamingos and other Andean birds.
Salar de Tara is one of the most special landscapes in the reserve. Its surroundings combine rock, sand, water, and vegetation in the middle of the Altiplano, creating a contrast that feels very different from other places in the area.
Toconao Village and Jere Valley
Toconao is a small village located near San Pedro de Atacama. Its quiet streets, traditional buildings, and volcanic stone church make it an interesting stop if you want to discover a more local side of the desert.
Very close to the village is Jere Valley, a small oasis with vegetation in the middle of the arid landscape. It is a simple visit, but perfect for completing a route through the area and seeing another side of San Pedro de Atacama beyond the big desert landscapes.
As you can see, there is a lot to see in San Pedro de Atacama, and each tour offers a different experience: otherworldly landscapes, salt flats, geysers, lagoons, Andean villages, hot springs, and routes into Bolivia. If you want to organize your trip easily, with Howlanders you can compare the best San Pedro de Atacama tours and choose the option that best fits the number of days you have available.
