How to Visit San Pedro de Atacama from Santiago: A Travel Guide
Getting to San Pedro de Atacama from Santiago
Reaching San Pedro de Atacama can be a bit challenging due to its remote location. The nearest airport is in Calama, about two hours away by car. From Santiago, there are daily non-stop flights to Calama Airport on LATAM Airlines (formerly LAN). A round-trip ticket from Santiago to Calama typically costs around $210 USD, with a flight time of 2 hours and 15 minutes on an Airbus A321.
Upon arrival at Calama Airport—a small but efficient hub with just a few gates—you can quickly retrieve your luggage and meet pre-booked transport services. I opted for a shuttle service to San Pedro de Atacama, which cost around $25 one way. Although the driver did not speak English, communication was manageable with basic Spanish.
Tip: Although renting a car is possible, the narrow dirt roads and lack of cell service in San Pedro de Atacama make a shuttle or organized tour a more convenient option. If you’re interested in booking a shuttle from Calama to San Pedro de Atacama, I’ve included links below.
How to Visit San Pedro de Atacama from Santiago: A Travel Guide - Table of Contents
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Accommodations in San Pedro de Atacama – My Stay at Hotel Corvatsch
The small town of San Pedro de Atacama is mostly made up of hotels, restaurants, and tour agencies. Accommodation ranges from budget-friendly hostels to high-end all-inclusive resorts. For my four-night stay, I chose Hotel Corvatsch in the mid-range category.
Located close to the town center, Hotel Corvatsch was a perfect base, offering easy access to local restaurants and shops. My room, priced at around $125 per night, featured a comfortable queen bed and lovely views of the desert landscape.
Note on Temperature: Although people often expect the Atacama Desert to be extremely hot, winter temperatures can drop below freezing. At Hotel Corvatsch, the heater ran only from 11 pm to 5 am, so be prepared for chilly evenings.
Additionally, be aware that toilet paper disposal is restricted to bins beside the toilet due to the area’s plumbing limitations.
Exploring the Town of San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama is a charming town that’s easy to explore on foot. It’s filled with restaurants, shops, and tour agencies that cater to travelers exploring the Atacama Desert. I spent much of my free time wandering through the streets, enjoying the unique atmosphere.
Key Sights in San Pedro de Atacama
- Licancabur Volcano: Visible from many points in town, the impressive Licancabur Volcano provides a beautiful backdrop to San Pedro de Atacama.
- San Pedro Church: Located in a central plaza, this traditional cathedral is a gathering place and an architectural highlight designed to blend with the desert surroundings.
Atacama Desert Tours Departing from San Pedro de Atacama
During my stay, I joined several Atacama Desert tours. While Spanish was useful, some guides spoke limited English. Given the rugged terrain and limited cell service, I recommend taking a guided tour rather than exploring independently. Although I initially booked with Cosmo Andino Expeditions, I would not recommend them due to service issues. Below are some alternative tour options for all budgets, with Viator working with a variety of tour providers.
Affiliate Disclosure: I am a Viator affiliate, which means I receive a small commission if you book through one of the links below. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, and I greatly appreciate your support!
 Lagoons in Atacama Salt Flat - Half Day - Typical Tour - San Pedro de Atacama - $116.00 Lagoons in San Pedro de Atacama salt flat welcome you to this land next to the desert valleys. This vast space gathers the flora and fauna that lives in the dry habitat of the Antofagasta Region, and allows an exchange of experiences between people and biodiversity. |
 Full day Altiplanic Lagoons + Red stones viewpoint + Salar de Atacama - $159.86 Full day to learn about Chile and its geographies, take the best pictures in the driest desert in the world. |
 4-Day Best of Atacama: Moon Valley, Tatio Geysers and Altiplanic Lagoons - $745.00 4-Day tour getting to know San Pedro de Atacama, a small town in the driest desert of the world! Skip the hassle of dealing with logistics as we take care of your Calama airport round-trip transportation! |
 Small-Group Tour to Altiplanic lagoons, Atacama saltflat & Flamingo reserve - $125.00 San Pedro de Atacama, a laid back oasis town on the edge of the direst desert on the earth. Little adobe houses, cozy restaurant are the base to explore one of the Chile's most spectacular sceneries. |
 3-Day Classic Atacama - Moon Valley & Geysers del Tatio - $470.74 Venture into the Atacama Desert, one of the most hostile places in the world on a 3-day tour and skip the hassle of dealing with logistics as we take care of your Calama airport round-trip transportation. Get to know San Pedro de Atacama and explore some of Chile’s most spectacular sceneries: |
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