THE 30 BEST Things to Do in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile (2025)


Places to Visit in San Pedro de Atacama
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Valle De La Luna, Geyser del Tatio, Multi-day Tours, Night Tours. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Valle De La Luna, Geyser del Tatio, Multi-day Tours, Night Tours. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Book these experiences for a close-up look at San Pedro de Atacama.
- fromper adult₹9,316
- Romantic Toursfromper adult₹4,880
- Photography Toursfromper adult₹3,993
- Likely To Sell Outfromper adult₹4,437
- Day Tripsfromper adult₹3,283
- Full-day Toursfromper adult₹5,501
- Mountain Bike Toursfrom
₹7,098per adult₹5,679 - Photography Toursfromper adult₹3,482
- Private and Luxuryfromper adult₹4,880
- Bus Toursfromper adult₹3,549
Geologic Formations
Desert landscape with unique rock formations and vast sand dunes, ideal for hiking and photography, especially at sunset.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Hot Springs & Geysers
Mystical early morning geyser field in the Andes with dramatic steam displays amid chilly temperatures, set against a backdrop of stunning sunrises and mountain vistas.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Bodies of Water
Geologic Formations
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Hot Springs & Geysers
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Bodies of Water
Bodies of Water
Bodies of Water
Other Top Attractions around San Pedro de Atacama
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- genibre69London, UK5,734 contributionsBeautiful views but not as spectacular as from Valley de la Muerte or Pukará de Quitor.
The Three Marias and salt domes are cool, as is all the crystallised salt. Our guide was excellent in explaining the history and geological aspects of the valley. The sunset was lovely of course. Went via a tour so enjoyed the mini picnic provided at the end (and piscos!).Written 29 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - genibre69London, UK5,734 contributionsAbsolutely incredible to see. Well worth the crazy early departure from one’s accommodation to get here! There are some placards with English translations on site. Incredible lunar-like landscape with plenty to of spouts. Be prepared for it to be COLD-just above or below freezing-even in the summer, so dress appropriately.Written 31 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Andy FDevizes, UK1,391 contributionsThese two lagoons are very high up (4300m) in the mountain plateau. Quite a drive to get up there, but totally worth it. The scenery, and the colours of the water set against the mountains and the sky are just breath-takingly beautiful. Hard to know how you could better this as a view. Wild vicunas wander arounf=d the edges of the lagoons. Just beautiful.Written 22 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ColinDorking, UK220 contributionsAs with the Lagunas, you have to make sure you go through the correct ticket buying process in order to visit. Buy your tickets online, drive to Socaire to check in around an hour before (they don't seem too strict with the time), and then drive on to Piedras Rojas. It took an hour from Socaire on a good tar road with a few potholes, and lots of wildlife. The whole walk around the Piedras takes about an hour or so at a slow pace.
Once you've finished, make sure you turn right and visit the other viewpoint (unsigned but obvious parking area), which in our opinion was even more spectacular. And ten minutes further you reach Lago Tuyajto, with even more stunning views. Definitely worth combining with the Lagunas as well, just ensure you visit in the correct order!Written 17 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Ectoplasm FantasiaBirmingham, UK2,945 contributionsLoved this vista - looks exactly like a computer screensaver!
The birds, the colours, the view - a really specially landscape in South America.Written 19 June 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Annabelle CLondon, UK16 contributionsWe opted for the afternoon slot, got there around 15:30. Maybe we should have been around opening (14h30) just because it was winter and the sun was going down quick and you’re in like a valley so the mountains hid the sun. The pools were nice, wouldn’t say very hot but they were still nice. If you’re planning to come in winter bring a towel or a dressing gown bc it was so cold between each pools haha. They also don’t have showers there so just be preparedWritten 20 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ali921Edinburgh, UK1,550 contributionsIt should be on everyone's list of places to visit when in the Atacama. Come early morning because there is little shade. The colours against the blue sky are stunning. You are not allowed to climb them (unlike Peru) for two reasons: belong to the indigenous folk; it avoids damage to the fragile natural environment. Well done ChileWritten 24 January 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Sean ALondon, UK27 contributionsYou get here from San Pedro de Atacama on route 23. Head for Toconao, then take the road to Peine for about 13km before turning off
A wonderful location, at the start of the day quiet as quiet can be, offering sights of flocks of flamingos & reflections of the terrific skies & landscapes in the pools
Three tips:
- To avoid the attentions of the car park super, park facing the mountains or you’ll be required to adjust. Reason is to assist in the event the nearby active volcano erupts
- Entrance tickets are bought online, so best to buy in advance to avoid jaw-cracking process at the site if internet access is dodgy
- Ticket gives access also to the Valle de Jere on the outskirts of Tacamao. It’s a pretty canyon oasis where you can have picnics & bbqs, with trees, bushes, fruit trees & allotment vegWritten 4 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Sean ALondon, UK27 contributionsA great laguna close to San Pedro de Atacama: take route 23 towards Tacamao & take the junction marked Laguna Cejar. The route to Tebinquiche is soon clear
Not as many flamingos as Laguna Chaxa, but no matter. Panorama just as good + lots of photo opportunities of reflections
Don’t go for the sunset though: as of Jan 25 at least, the place is closed at 7pmWritten 4 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Kevin SPontypridd, UK7,177 contributionsFor the most part a vert well run tour. Booked in advance we received information the day before the short excursion. Then again updates about pick up time on the actual day.
The mini bus was full, not everyone sat with their friend or partner, OK for a 75 minute journey. The lagoons were picturesque, well 3 of the 7, colourful with good backgrounds. The float was fine if you've never done it before, very unlike the large Dead Sea options. A small pool, it was getting full with 25 people when a second group arrived. The let down? Driving home with the sun setting. Viator had described this tour as finishing in a hidden sunset spot, the evening was perfect for it. It just didn't happen, we just drove back to SPDA. I've seen the same tour without sunset mentioned, just don't raise your expectations and maybe have time for an afternoon Moon Valley trip as well just in case for the sunset.Written 1 June 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - ColinDorking, UK220 contributionsLike a lot of places in the Atacama, there is quite a lot of bureaucracy involved in visiting the Laguna. Make sure you book online, and arrive on time - luckily the drive from San Pedro is short and the dirt road access is in good condition. You will be given lots of instructions on entry - definitely don't put suncream on before entering the water! I thought it was a unique experience, and different to anywhere else in the area.
Be aware, the water is cold, and if you're visiting independently, you can only go in the morning.Written 17 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Katrien SGhent, Belgium1,939 contributionsWe did not visit this site as the site to watch the sunset from, but came earlier on the tour. Here one has a great view of the Domeyko range, a nearly completely eroded mountain/hill range with wonderful shapes.Written 29 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information.
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