The commune of San Pedro de Atacama is located 2,500 meters above sea level and is usually the starting point to discover one of the driest deserts in the world.
It is, perhaps, one of the most important tourist sites in Chile and undoubtedly a must for any traveler in the area.
This town, besides being the starting point to many natural wonders that surround it, is considered the oldest town in Chile, which is not only beautiful scenery but also a huge historical burden.
Because of everything we told you, and the wonderful experience we had in that place, we wanted to share this article with you and tell you about 5 essential things to do in San Pedro de Atacama.
Now, let’s get started.
1. Visit the Pucará de Quitor and learn about pre-Columbian civilizations.
The Pucará de Quitor is located 3 kilometers from the town of San Pedro de Atacama, heading north.
It is a fortress that was built by the Likan-Antai civilization (also called Atacameños) in the 12th century.
The Pucará de Quitor is located on a slope that rises to a height of 80 meters and is composed of stacked circular or square walls that form terraces, from which you can have incredible panoramic views of the valley.
It is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in San Pedro de Atacama without having to go far from town.
In the interior part of the pucará you can observe different subdivisions connected by corridors in the form of labyrinths, which in ancient times were dwellings, animal shelters and warehouses.
Each one of the constructions of this fortress was made with reddish stone obtained from the same place.
There are also remains of structures made of chañar wood or straw and covered with mud or adobe.
If you are in good physical condition, you can visit the Pucará de Quitor on your own. From the town you will have to walk about 3 kilometers to the entrance of the place and there pay the entrance fee to be able to visit it.
In case you prefer to hire a tour, we recommend an excursion that not only includes a visit to the pucará, but also takes you to the archaeological site of Tulor, the church of San Pedro and a visit to a farm in the region to taste typical dishes.
2. Tour the imposing Valley of the Moon and the Valley of Mars.
Going a few kilometers away from the town, and entering the Atacama Desert, you can visit the Valley of the Moon and the Valley of Mars (or Death Valley), two of the main places to visit in San Pedro de Atacama.
The Moon Valley (the farthest, 13 km away) has been declared a Nature Sanctuary due to its geological wonder and offers a unique landscape made up of ridges, peaks, mounds and waves caused by wind erosion.
At the entrance to the valley, you will find a wonderful structure known as“Las Tres Marías” formed by quartz and granite and, in turn, surrounded by salt and bright sand.
Going a little further along the road, you will find the salt caves, made up of ochre-colored rock walls, along with some trails worth walking.
Arriving at the end of the tour, you will come across the majestic Valley of the Moon, having the opportunity to appreciate one of the best views of the sunset.
Watching the sunset in the Moon Valley is one of the most beautiful things to do in San Pedro de Atacama. The colors of the sky, as the sun goes down, will leave you speechless.
The visit to the Moon Valley can be done on your own (if you have a vehicle), or by hiring some of the tours in San Pedro de Atacama.
✏️ Visit the magic bus! In the years I visited San Pedro de Atacama, which was prior to the Instagram boom, this abandoned bus corroded by salt was just that. Nowadays it is a spot that no one wants to miss in order to achieve a perfect photo for social networks. If you’re up for it, go look for it in the Valley of the Moon!
The Valley of Mars (or Death Valley, since it seems impossible to enter and come out of it alive) is less than 5 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama.
It stands out for its dunes and reddish rocks. In truth, at times, we could swear that the landscape of the red planet looks like this.
3. Visit the majestic Licancabur Volcano.
Another of the main things to see in and around San Pedro de Atacama is the Licancabur Volcano, located on the geographical border between Chile and Bolivia.
The Licancabur is one of the most characteristic volcanoes of the area because it has a height of 5,900 meters and at the top of it you can see a cone-shaped tip.
In addition, it is of enormous archaeological and anthropological interest due to Inca records found in the surrounding area.
Its crater is home to the highest lagoon in the world, whose temperature is about 6°C.
There is the possibility of climbing to the top, but this is something that should only be done by mountaineering enthusiasts with previous preparation, as the trails are rocky and with high slopes.
In any case, it is not necessary to climb its 5,900 meters to appreciate it.
There are some tours in San Pedro de Atacama that take you to know this majesty and also give you the opportunity to visit the Salar de Aguas Calientes, the Salar del Quisquiro and the Laguna Negra, among other points of interest.
In this case, we recommend taking a full day tour to enjoy all the natural beauties that this area has to offer.
4. Diving in the Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache
The Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache are one of the most beautiful things to see in and around San Pedro de Atacama. I would even go so far as to say that it is one of the most beautiful places in Chile.
This tour is also known as the“Seven Lagoons” because, as its name indicates, it is a complex made up of seven small lagoons between 4 and 30 meters in diameter, located in the middle of the Atacama Desert.
Its waters are of an intense turquoise color and stand out from the white landscape of the Cordillera de Sal.
The interesting thing about these lagoons, in addition to their beauty, is that they are made up of salt water and are connected to each other subway.
Within the seven lagoons, there are two of them where bathing is allowed. These waters are similar to those of the Dead Sea, since, due to their high salt concentration, the bodies float without much effort.
The Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache can be visited on your own as long as you have a 4×4 vehicle, since the road to get there is somewhat complex and in poor condition. The route is approximately 60 kilometers long.
The other option is to take one of the tours in San Pedro de Atacama that include the transfer, the guide and, usually, a snack..
5. Stargazing in the Atacama Desert
The astronomical tour in San Pedro de Atacama is one of the most famous of this destination and undoubtedly one of the main things to do in San Pedro de Atacama.
Being far from light pollution, the Atacama Desert is an ideal place to admire a sky full of stars, which we are not used to seeing in other more populated places.
This activity is essential to do with a guide, since they will inform you about the constellations and the wonders of the night sky, and will provide you with some telescopes to observe the stellar bodies more clearly.
It is a unique experience, whether you do it on full moon nights, where the desert is illuminated, or on moonless nights, where you can better appreciate the display of millions of stars.
These astronomical tours usually last between 2 and 3 hours, and include transportation, guide, some snacks and drinks.
It is important that you take plenty of warm clothes, as the nights in the desert are usually very cold.