San Pedro De Atacama: Desert, Culture and Starry Skies

San Pedro De Atacama is considered the gateway to the driest desert in the world. The town is centered around a Pueblo designated as a Zona Típica, a meteorite museum and handicrafts; nearby are desert landscapes, thermal pools and Andean destinations. If you are looking for a hotel for this trip, your planned focus can help you decide where to stay: cultural attractions in town, nighttime sky-watching and excursions with very early departures involve different daily schedules. Distances and travel times show how these plans differ.

Museum, Local History and Handicrafts

The Museo del Meteorito is three blocks north of the Plaza de San Pedro de Atacama. According to the museum, its collection includes more than 6,700 meteorites that fell in the Atacama Desert region and is among the largest in the world; 77 particularly significant specimens are on display. These figures may change as the collection develops. In the sensory area, a personal guide demonstrates how to distinguish meteorites from terrestrial rocks.

The Pueblo de San Pedro de Atacama was declared a Zona Típica on March 28, 1980. A further decree of July 15, 1994, expanded the protected area. The two dates mark the original designation and its subsequent expansion. Handicrafts are also part of the townscape: the Pueblo de Artesanos offers, among other things, wool clothing, woven and knitted goods, goldsmithing, ceramics, sculptures, mosaics and paintings. There are also handicrafts made from stone and cactus wood, as well as leather clothing and shoes. Since 1993, the Agrupación de Artesanos Licancabur has been dedicated to promoting art and crafts in San Pedro de Atacama.

Traditions and Local Events

In September 2024, the local cultural foundation described the Feria Costumbrista Ckunsa Ckapar as an event organized monthly by the foundation and the municipality. Visitors can learn traditional techniques there, from making textiles to preparing native foods. Check which dates are scheduled before your trip. Another annual event takes place in San Pedro de Atacama on June 29; it emerged from the syncretism of the Andean peoples.

Desert Landscapes and Excursions

The Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos is located in the municipality of San Pedro de Atacama. It covers 73,986.50 hectares. In Sector 6 of the reserve, the Duna Mayor hiking trail is 919 meters long; the total walking time is 45 to 60 minutes. Seasonal closures may apply. The nearby Valle de la Luna features dunes, craters, jagged ridges, and salt and rock formations shaped by wind and time. It is 15 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama on Ruta 23 and can be reached by private vehicle, bicycle or as part of a guided tour.

The Termas de Puritama are also nearby. Their eight natural pools are fed by thermal water at around 33°C; the water is said to have therapeutic properties and an invigorating effect. From San Pedro de Atacama, Ruta B-245 leads there in a northeasterly direction. The journey covers 30 kilometers and takes about 40 minutes by car.

The Géiseres del Tatio are located in the Andes at an altitude of more than 4,300 meters and showcase the region’s volcanic energy. Tours from San Pedro de Atacama depart at around 4:00 a.m. The drive follows approximately 80 kilometers of the gravel Ruta B-245 and takes about an hour and a half. By comparison, the drive to the Termas de Puritama is listed as taking about 40 minutes; the early departures and travel times help distinguish these excursions when planning your day.

Getting There and Nighttime Observations

From El Loa Airport in Calama, Ruta 23 runs for 100 kilometers to San Pedro de Atacama; the drive takes about an hour and a half. At night, the town offers astrotourism and the chance to observe one of the clearest skies in the world. At the nearby Observatorio ALMA, public visits were suspended as of February 2026, and work was underway to resume them. Check the visitor status before making plans.

Discover more destinations: Calama

Return to the main travel overview: El Loa Province.