Best Things to do in San Pedro de Atacama

From the Andes Mountains to high desert lagoons, these are the best things to do in San Pedro de Atacama. The Atacama Desert was our favorite place to visit in Chile. Located in northern Chile, the Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar desert in the world and many travelers make their way to the town of San Pedro de Atacama to enjoy all of the amazing excursions in this extraordinary destination. We visited the Atacama Desert with Exodus Travels and discovered all the highlights with the help of our trusty guide, Alex.

Things to do in San Pedro de Atacama

The Atacama Desert is the highest and dryest non-polar desert in the world. It is known for its lunar landscape and natural beauty. With a variety of terrains including salt flats, geysers, and lagoons, Salar de Atacama is one of the most striking places we have ever visited.

Tours and trips can be booked to the desert from San Pedro de Atacama, and while visiting this region of Chile, you will also have the chance to immerse in its culture as it is a center for indigenous communities. The town is a popular destination for backpackers and intrepid travelers who are interested in adventure, nature, and history, and there are many things to do in the area. Here are some suggestions for things to do in San Pedro de Atacama.

Where is San Pedro de Atacama

The Atacama Desert is located in the northern half of Chile between the Pacific Ocean, to the west, and the Andes Mountains, to the east. This 1,000-mile strip of desert, is the highest non-polar desert plateau in the world. (Antarctica is the driest place on earth if you are wondering) and San Pedro de Atacama is a small town located in the heart of it near the Bolivian Border. San Pedro de Atacama is where everyone makes a base to do desert excursions and this cool town is a destination in its own right. With restaurants, hotels, tour companies, and shops, it makes for a fantastic base to see everything in Salar de Atacama.

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1. Laguna Chaxa

Seeing the flamingoes of Chaxa Lagoon was the first stop on our tour and it was a good one! As part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve, Chaxa Lagoon is the best place to see flamingoes. Three species of flamingoes frequent the salt pools to feed on brine shrimp. The setting is what makes this stop so extraordinary.

Rocky paths weave through salt lagoons surrounded by…