tour valle del arcoiris san pedro de atacama

Last update:

Jan 18, 2023

Valle del Arcoirirs

Also known as:

Rainbow Valley

Visitors to the Valle del Arcoiris will be amazed by the variety of colors in the hills: from warm earthy tones to bright yellow, combined with the white salt deposits and a deep blue sky for a unique view.

At a glance

How to get there

Take route 23 towards Calama. After about 35 km, take a right turn on route B-207, an unpaved road. After about 18 km there will be a left turn, and then it's another 8 km to the destination

How much does it cost?

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Quebrada Guatin

Quebrada Guatin offers a trek of about 5.5 km (with a more challenging option of up to 19 km), where hikers can see centuries-old cactus that grow in the gorge.

Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache

Visitors can take a dip in the crystal clear turquoise waters of these hidden lagoons, located in the desert between San Pedro and Calama. The water in the lagoons is high in minerals, especially salt, which means that you float!

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• How to get to San Pedro de Atacama?
• What are the best activities in San Pedro de Atacama
• Where to eat in San Pedro de Atacama?

Valle del Arcoíris en San Pedro de Atacama

Conoce todos los detalles de una de nuestras excursiones en San Pedro de Atacama: el Valle del Arcoríris, un paseo único y que te encantará.  Un viaje por la Cordillera de Domeyko, el arte rupestre y las sobrecogedoras tonalidades del desierto.

07:00 horas aprox. - Salida desde su hotel

Visita al Valle del Arcoiris

Recorreremos un valle de formaciones rocosas de colores intensos y variados, que van desde el rojo y el naranja hasta el verde y el azul. El nombre "Valle del Arcoíris" proviene de la amplia gama de colores que se encuentran en las rocas y las capas de sedimentos en la zona. La erosión y los minerales presentes en el suelo han dado lugar a estas tonalidades vibrantes, creando un paisaje surrealista y fascinante

Visita a El Río Salado

El río Salado es un ejemplo fascinante de cómo la vida puede adaptarse y prosperar incluso en entornos extremos como el desierto de Atacama, y ofrece a los visitantes la oportunidad de experimentar esta maravilla natural en su viaje a San Pedro de Atacama. Tendremos la oportunidad de explorar sus alrededores y disfrutarmos de actividades como caminatas y observación de aves.

13:30 hrs. - Regreso al alojamiento

• Guía bilingüe
• Seguro transporte de pasajeros

No incluido

• Tickets de entradas a Los Parques o Reservas Nacionales

Condiciones generales

Condiciones de menores.

• Edad mínima para realizar la excursión: 9 años

Condiciones de Seguridad en Servicio

• Ya sea por condiciones climáticas o condiciones de la ruta (caminos) que no ofrezcan las garantías mínimas de seguridad para una operación segura, nuestro proveedor se reserva el derecho de cancelación del servicio

Aceptación Riesgos de la Actividad

• El pasajero declara conocer y entender los riesgos que envuelve la participación en actividades de turismo aventura, los cuales no pueden ser completamente eliminados, aun cuando exista el cumplimiento de estándares de seguridad acreditados por el prestador de servicios, los cuales tienen por finalidad el disminuir los riesgos que el desarrollo de esta actividad involucra.
• Será deber del prestador de servicios de turismo aventura informar de las condiciones y requisitos para el desarrollo de la actividad, como asimismo, es deber de los participantes que tomen un servicio de turismo aventura el informarse adecuadamente de las condiciones en que se presta el servicio, de las condiciones mínimas que el participante debe poseer antes de efectuar la actividad y acatar las instrucciones que la empresa y guía a cargo de la actividad indiquen.

Condiciones comerciales

• Validez hasta el 30 de diciembre, 2024
• Los precios en Dólares Estadounidense (USD) se calculan con la tasa de cambio del día desde su valor en Pesos Chilenos (CLP) y pueden tener variaciones según el día que se realice el pago.
• Los Tickets de entradas a Los Parques o Reservas Nacionales no están incluidos en el valor del Tour
• Tarifas válidas para servicios en los horarios indicados
• Servicios aplican con mínimo de pasajeros al momento de la reserva
• Tarifas por persona sujetas a cambio.
• Por razones de seguridad y operacional, los horarios podrán ser modificados sin aviso previo
• En Excursiones la recogida es en el hotel indicado.
• En servicio de transfer, aplica desde todos los hoteles de San Pedro de Atacama (no incluye Ayllus en las afueras)
• Excursiones con guía bilingüe español e inglés

Condiciones de Anulaciones o No show

• Anulaciones con 5 días de anticipación sin cargo.
• Anulaciones posteriores consideradas No Show, cargo 100%

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Vive San Pedro

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5 Tours Imperdibles en 3 días

• Rainbow valley
• Destinations
• Atacama Desert & Altiplano
• San Pedro de Atacama

Come to know the Rainbow Valley in San Pedro de Atacama that stands out for the color of its reddish, beige, green and white earth.

The Valle del Arcoiris is located in a Rio Grande Basin, about 90 kms from San Pedro de Atacama , close to Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs . It owes its name to the variety of colors that can be seen in the hills of the valley; earth colors, red, beige, green, white, yellow, combined with white salt and blue sky. The colors show the richness and different concentrations of clay, salts and minerals.

Within San Pedro de Atacama, there is a great variety of places to taste, like the typical Atacama food, pizzas to the stone or even different vegetarian option that use the vegetables and more typical vegetables of the zone.

• Plane: Flight from Santiago – Calama (2 hours 10 minutes)
• Bus: 20 hours from Santiago to Calama/ From Calama to San Pedro that is about 1 hour.
• From San Pedro to Rainbow valley are 60 km and you can take a tour everyday

Recommendations

We recommend you that you schedule your flight to Calama to arrive in the morning so you are able to participate in the scheduled activities without affecting the itinerary.

This place has a desertic weather and it’s also some meters above sea levels, which means that throughout the year there is a very large temperature oscillation between day and night. The average annual temperature is between 14° C and 3 ° C.

Many of the excursions and tours that are done include visiting places that are in the Chilean plateau, 3,500 above sea levels. This means that people may experience altitude sickness. It is important that people drink lots of water so they keep their body well hydrated. People shouldn’t make sudden or harsh movements, and let their body get used to the heights and the altitude.

There are few ATMs in San Pedro de Atacama. You have to consider that the demand for these ATMs is high, so they don’t always have money. We advise you to bring some cash with you.

Stores in rural areas are open all day, but they close between 13.00 and 15.00. We advise you to carry local currency (Chilean pesos), since it isn’t possible to pay with debit or credit cards in kiosks and rural stores.

Do not throw garbage on the beaches, parks or streets. To take care of our environment is everyone's responsibility. Avoid fines by following the rules.

Rainbow valley map

Come and discover rainbow valley, what to do in rainbow valley.

These are the best day tours in Rainbow valley

Arcoiris Valley excursion 5 Hours

We will visit the petroglyphs of Yerbas Buenas and we will cross the mountains of colors of the Rainbow Valley in the middle of the…

• From CLP $ 62.500 per person
• From US$ 78 per person

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Hotel alto atacama .

San Pedro de Atacama, at 17 mi from Rainbow valley

Live the experience at the Alto Atacama, a luxury hotel located just 3 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama

• From CLP $ 600.000
• From US$ 1.300

Altiplanico San Pedro De Atacama 

San Pedro de Atacama, at 18 mi from Rainbow valley

Hotel Altiplanico is a place for reflection where you can experience the immensity of the Atacama Desert. Well located on spacious…

• From CLP $ 120.000
• From US$ 240

Terrantai Lodge Andino 

Hotel Terrantai, which resembles the typical andean arquitecture.

• From CLP $ 145.000
• From US$ 220

Hotel Kimal 

Among the diverse land formations of this desert there is a labyrinth of adobe and volcanic stone structures called the Kimal Hotel.…

• From CLP $ 131.000

Hotel Poblado Kimal 

Poblado Kimal is located in a shady orchard, in the historical centre of San Pedro de Atacama which is an ancient oasis town. This…

• From CLP $ 113.000
• From US$ 190

Cumbres San Pedro De Atacama 

San Pedro de Atacama, at 19 mi from Rainbow valley

Cumbres Hotel & Spa in San Pedro de Atacama, has changed our perception of the desert. A large citadel has arisen under the watchful…

• From CLP $ 250.852
• From US$ 375

Hotel La Casa De Don Tomas 

Here the earth -colors of the world´s driest desert appear like a shimmering mosaic. The shining green of the valley cuts trough the…

• From US$ 159

Hotel Tierra Atacama 

We invite you to admire the native beauty and local identity of the most arid desert in the world with Tierra Atacama, an all-inclusive…

• From US$ 600

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Valle Del Arcoiris: The new discovery of San Pedro de Atacama

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San Pedro de Atacama: Half day tour Valle Arcoiris

• Spanish and English bilingual guide
• entraces clp$ 3.000 p.p
• Entry/Admission - Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs
• Entry/Admission - Valle Arcoiris
• Pick up for all the centrally located hotels in San Pedro de Atacama.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not recommended for travellers with back problems
• Most travellers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travellers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• You'll get picked up See departure details
• 1 Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs Stop: 60 minutes - Admission excluded See details
• 2 Valle Arcoiris Stop: 30 minutes - Admission excluded See details
• 3 Río Grande Stop: 30 minutes See details
• You'll return to the starting point

• lathamappraisal 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great trip We had an awesome time, even though we had a couple of unexpected issues arrive during the trip. The reason I have included this in our review is not every trip goes exactly as planned; however, when you have a great tour guide like Nelly, who can handle issues that are out of her control, it can still be a great trip. Thank you Nelly. Read more Written 17 April 2024
• 906moa 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles worst customer service we purchased certain seats so we didn't have to seat with another passenger. Our seats going to our destination and meals was great except departure back to SFO. When we were boarding I noticed a passenger seating on our number seat 57A, according to our itinerary documents seats are 57A and 57C, right away I informed the flight attendant she took a looked at my papers and didn't know what to say. At that time people was boarding and flight attendants are all busy too but I had to insist on our seats that they can move us elsewhere since we purchased our seats. Flight attendant contacted a Ground Handling Agent, English name Ellen Shen. Ellen Shen took a picture of our papers and didn't have an answer why the other passenger and me have same seat, she said she'll talk to her manager and that I should contact Eva Air on the website. Plane took off. Our meal going back was awful since we requested vegetarian but we got two meals with chicken and fish, meals were awful. The next day, that's when I started calling people I booked my flights with (ASAP) and went on Eva Air website, nothing could not contact anyone at Eva Air. I called the ASAP agency asking to help me out if they have another number of Eva Air and I was transferred 3x then finally a VIP customer number. I've been calling for two days no answer with the VIP customer service. What I want is just a refund of $100.00 going back seats we didn't get but paid for, this is a matter of principal. They are so bad! Why have a customer service if they don't answer their calls. Is it possible they changed plane since it seemed full. How is it possible they were able to print out same seat number? Read more Written 10 April 2024
• Jzg0063 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Overview of Santiago Franco was an amazing guide with an incredible grasp of history and culture. He met us at our lodging and then tailored the tour to location and interests. He happily answered the hard questions about history and showed us his city. Santiago is much smaller and less vibrant than comparable cities like Buenos Aires, but it was incredibly modern and filled with things to see. Instead of coffee, Franco took us to try Mote con Huesilla, which was delicious. Lunch at the seafood market was also tasty. If you’re interested in history, culture, architecture, and food — this is a great tour for you. Read more Written 7 April 2024
• Richard K 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Long day on an uncomfortable bus.. The positive thing about this trip was our tour guide who spoke very good English and made sure that we understood his commentary. The negatives were as follows: 1. The bus was completely full, too small and exceptionally uncomfortable. 2. if you were fortunate enough to be picked up first, you could get one of the more comfortable seats. But those of us that got picked up last got stuck at the back of the bus in the most uncomfortable seats imaginable. My wife and I were crammed in a bench seat that was best suited For three people not four. If I had had the opportunity, I would’ve gotten off the bus and tried to get my money back. Naturally, the people that had the more comfortable seats were unwilling to give theirs up all day long. 3. The stop at the Falls was pleasant and we enjoyed the hikes and the waterfalls. 4. The trip to the top of the volcano was on eventful, but with all the switchbacks, braking and accelerating. It was really uncomfortable in the van.. 5. Our tour guide was unable to keep One family on time and they consistently held up the group at every stop including lunch. 6. The lunch was overpriced and really not very good. Several people complained about the poor quality of the food. 7. None of the stops and attractions on the tour are included in the price. The entire cost of the trip is for the bus ride. This is explained several times by the tour guide, but needs to be reiterated. All in all, you could do everything on this tour yourself if you had a Rent-A-Car or other transportation. That would also free you up to have a lunch somewhere else or a picnic if you bring your own food. Read more Written 29 March 2024
• Richard K 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles A long day on an uncomfortable bus.. On a positive note, Anna, our tour guide was awesome! There were only five English speakers on the bus, but she made sure that all of us understood her commentary completely. The negatives were as follows ; 1. It’s advertised as a 10 hour trip but it took over 12 hours. 2. Most of the trip is spent on the bus that does not have a toilet, has a very uncomfortable seats with very little leg room, and has difficulty managing the temperature control. 3. The towns that we visited were just not that pretty or interesting. 4. We felt pressured to eat lunch with the entire bus at a private house. The food was not terrible, although the menu choices were limited. We cannot recommend the excursion. Read more Written 29 March 2024
• Happiness63195487410 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great views So much depends on weather. I got lucky and there was little wind, for this part of Patagonia, and a mix of sun and cloud but no rain. What you get to see is pretty amazing. Spotted dolphins, condors, sea lions and cormorants. To cruise right up to a glacier and waterfalls from glaciers is amazing. The hike in O'Higgins national park is challenging for older and not so fit persons. Lots to eat at lunch but the salad was just iceberg lettuce. Read more Written 23 March 2024
• Banjoanddogs 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Stunning scenery but pricey. The scenery is incredible. But I found this a bit expensive for what was or I should say what was not offered. Basically you get a beautiful boat ride which was incredible but nothing else. Perhaps my mistake that I didn't realize lunch was not included. The hotel is stunning with spectacular views, but the food was mediocre and expensive. Before you arrive they try to get you to purchase another tour. I think being more forefront about what is and is not offered, would've been helpful. Also, I changed my embarkation destination and therefore did not go to Saltos de Petrohue (included if you depart by bus from Puerto Varas) and should not have been charged the full amount. Lesson learned. I could've bought the tour for less than half the price on site at Lago Los Santos. Read more Written 19 March 2024
• 889elissah 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Relaxing long weekend after touring the whole country! What an absolutely Beautiful Country too! Great small area with beautiful scenery to relax and view the volcano & huge lake! This is a pretty area and the small town is built on a hill, if you go and are looking for a place to stay you might want to know how much of a "hike" it is from the lake to the accommodations. Read more Written 18 March 2024
• thesnowman77 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Private tour to Valapariso & Vina Del Mar We booked through Viator, a private tour with guide Franco and driver Pablo. The whole day was great from start to finish. Franco met us promptly and Pablo’s car was clean and comfortable. Franco was engaging throughout. We stopped for breakfast and a toilet stop and fed some llamas. On to Valapariso, some history about the city and a really enjoyable walking tour with lots of interesting facts that perhaps other guides won’t tell you. Plenty of murals and lots to see and learn. Lunch was a short drive on in attractive Vina Del Mar, looking out on to the Pacific Ocean. Before heading back to Santiago we enjoyed a spectacular viewpoint of both Valapariso and Vina Del Mar. Would highly recommend the tour and especially Franco and Pablo. Read more Written 16 March 2024
• lifes_an_illusion 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Refund I have already written a review ... about not being picked up for my tour. However, the company responsible - Ruta Chile - has now refunded me the money for my missed tour so at least I'm no longer cross about losing the money. Hence my now giving 3 stars instead of 1. Read more Written 6 March 2024
• Getaway54626851125 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Misery This was the worst tour we have ever been on and the worst day of our entire trip. We were gone almost 12 hours and spent at least 9 on the bus . There really is nothing worth seeing on the entire island and should be removed from any tour. People spent most of the day looking at their phones or sleeping. The one hour for lunch was good but not worth 12 hours. The day was a complete waste. You said the tour was in English but the guide spent at least 90% of the time speaking , I highly recommend avoiding this tour unless you like bus rides and looking at dilapidated houses, Read more Written 7 February 2024
• maire562019 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Beautiful Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar Great day with Our guide Jose Paquin and driver Pablo Fuentes. Private tour for my husband and I. We visited Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. Beautiful vistas and very knowledgeable tour guide and very good driver. Had a scenic and wonderful lunch overlooking the ocean in Vina Del Mar at Siete Mares. Would highly recommend these two gentlemen. Read more Written 18 January 2024
• cgaskin6348 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles TERRIBLE!! Not as advertised!!! We did not travel in a small group van or car. We went on a huge bus 1 guide for 38 people. We did not see Penguins or even go to the area they were at. I will not book through Viator again. Mislead I do not see how they could stay in business. Rode on a bus for hours. Complete waste of my day. Read more Written 18 January 2024
• mattdO6265AF 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Beautiful Views and a Great Day on the Water We had a great experience on the tour overall. The day was well coordinated with lots to see and do. The boat was comfortable and they provided coffee throughout the day. The views were beautiful with plenty of opportunities to take pictures. The opportunity to get off of the boat and hike to the Glacier made for a picturesque walk and a nice diversion off the boat. We made another stop for lunch (included). The food was hot, but overall mediocre. The only real disappointment was smoking was allowed on the boat. It was limited to outside on the deck, but the the smokers congregated near the doorway so you walked through a cloud of smoke to enter or leave the cabin sitting area. We did this often to take pictures and then back in to warm up...it was cold and windy as advertised (bring a hat and gloves). The whiskey on the (glacial) rocks was a pleasant afternoon treat. Overall, the tour staff were friendly and knowledgeable and we were very pleased with the day. Read more Written 2 January 2024
• Asmaru5 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Not worth it. Too expensive Expensive trip i paid 76 dollars which does not include anything. I had to pay 20 dollars more for lunch and 6 for boat tour. Just to see two churchs and fisherman habitation. It is not worth it at all The guide and driver were really nice Read more Written 20 December 2023

More to explore in San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama: Half day tour Valle Arcoiris provided by Ruta Chile

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Cómo es el tour al Valle del Arcoíris en San Pedro de Atacama

• por Cata Contreras
• 2 comentarios

Te cuento qué incluye, cuánto cuesta y cómo es la experiencia de hacer el tour al Valle del Arcoíris en San Pedro de Atacama.

Aunque el Valle del Arcoíris no es uno de los tours más populares para hacer en San Pedro de Atacama, es una excursión bastante interesante, ya que ofrece la posibilidad de conocer coloridos paisajes de gran belleza natural .

El principal atractivo de este tour son las llamativas formaciones rocosas de tonalidades rojizas, verdes, blancas y marrones ; además de la visita al mayor centro de arte rupestre de la zona.

A continuación, te cuento todo lo que necesitas saber para hacer el tour al Valle del Arcoíris: qué incluye, qué no incluye cuánto cuesta y cómo es la experiencia.

¡Comencemos!

Algunos links de este artículo son enlaces de afiliados . Esto quiere decir, que si compras a través de ellos, ganaré un porcentaje que no tiene costo para ti y que me ayudará a continuar con este proyecto.

1. Datos clave del tour al Valle del Arcoíris

• El tour al Valle del Arcoíris cuesta 29.000 CLP [36 USD] para adultos y 22.000 CLP [27 USD] para niños menores de 12 años (precios enero 2023).
• Se realiza de 7:00 a 12:30 horas .
• Incluye traslados, guía y desayuno.
• No incluye almuerzo, entrada al Valle del Arcoíris ni entrada a Yerbas Buenas.
• La entrada al Valle del Arcoíris cuesta 5.000 CLP [6 USD] y se debe pagar en efectivo.
• La entrada a Yerbas Buenas cuesta 5.000 CLP [6 USD] y se debe pagar en efectivo.
• No está permitido para embarazadas ni menores de 6 años.

2. Recogida y comienzo del tour

Nos pasaron a buscar a nuestros hospedajes (ubicados dentro del radio urbano de San Pedro de Atacama) a la hora acordada y emprendimos el viaje al Valle del Arcoíris.

Este valle se encuentra al norte de San Pedro de Atacama y para llegar hay que tomar un camino de curvas . La distancia por este camino es de alrededor de 75 km .

Hice este tour en invierno, por lo que pasamos por sectores nevados en el camino. Hacía algo de frío, pero no era excesivo (como en otros tour de San Pedro).

La altura máxima que se alcanza en este tour es de 3.500 msnm , por lo que se siente un poco la falta de aire y no es recomendable agitarse demasiado.

TAMBIÉN TE PUEDE INTERESAR: Guía de San Pedro de Atacama

3. Petroglifos de Yerbas Buenas

La primera parada de la excursión es en el Sitio Arqueológico Yerbas Buenas , cuya entrada tiene un costo de 5.000 CLP [6 USD] (precio enero 2023).

En este sitio se encuentra la colección de arte rupestre más importante de la zona de San Pedro de Atacama. Se pueden ver petroglifos con figuras de diferentes especies de animales, entre los que destacan las llamas.

4. Desayuno en el Valle del Arcoíris

Hicimos una parada en el Sector Matancilla del Valle del Arcoíris para desayunar.

Allí caminamos un poco, entre montañas de colores, arbustos y cardones ; nos tomamos varias fotografías y desayunamos.

El guía, Rodrigo, nos explicó las características de algunos minerales y la razón de los diferentes colores que se pueden ver en los cerros y suelos de este lugar.

El desayuno incluía un chocman (bizcocho cubierto en chocolate) y un sandwich con jamón, queso, lechuga y tomate. Para beber había café, chocolate, leche y té.

5. Parte principal de la Cordillera del Valle del Arcoíris

Después del desayuno, nos detuvimos en otro punto del valle para apreciar los cerros de colores y tomar fotografías.

El guía nos explico que la diversidad de colores que se aprecian en este lugar se debe, en parte, a la confluencia de tres cordones montañosos: l a Cordillera de los Andes, la Cordillera Domeyko y la Cordillera de la Sal .

6. Caminata corta por el Valle del Arcoíris

En el tercer sitio que visitamos en el Valle del Arcoíris hicimos una caminata corta, en la que pasamos por lugares muy fangosos. Nos ensuciamos y resbalamos un poco, pero valió la pena, ya que el lugar era muy bonito.

Nos detuvimos un momento para contemplar los paisajes y luego iniciamos nuestro regreso a San Pedro de Atacama a eso del mediodía .

7. Consejos para hacer el tour al Valle del Arcoíris

• Lleva bloqueador solar, gorro, lentes de sol, agua, zapatos cómodos (idealmente zapatillas de trekking) y algo para abrigarte.
• Ten cuidado de no dejar basura . En algunos sitios corre viento, así que ten especial cuidado con objetos ligeros.
• Durante el tour es posible ver animales silvestre s, como guanacos, zorros y vizcachas. No los alimentes y evita acercarte demasiado.
• Considera que la mayoría de tours no van a dejar a domicilio, si no que te dejarán a una cuadra de la plaza principal de San Pedro de Atacama. La recogida sí suele ser a domicilio.

Los mejores paquetes de tours en San Pedro de Atacama

3 días en San Pedro de Atacama ( 146.000 CLP ). Incluye  transfer aeropuerto + 4 tours : Valle de la Luna, Lagunas de Baltinache, tour astrofotográfico y Géiseres del Tatio.

4 días en San Pedro de Atacama ( 186.000 CLP ). Incluye  transfer aeropuerto + 5 tours : Valle de la Luna, Lagunas de Baltinache, tour astrofotográfico, Ruta de los Salares y Géiseres del Tatio.

5 días en San Pedro de Atacama ( 264.000 CLP ). Incluye  transfer aeropuerto + 7 tours : Valle de la Luna, Piedras Rojas y Lagunas Altiplánicas, Lagunas de Baltinache, tour astrofotográfico, Valle del Arcoíris, Ruta de los Salares y Géiseres del Tatio.

*Precios enero 2023.

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Relacionado

2 comentarios en «cómo es el tour al valle del arcoíris en san pedro de atacama».

Cual es la ruta para llegar al valle? Hay horarios en el que se aprecian mejor los colores?

Hola Cristina, Para llegar al Valle del Arcoíris, nosotros nos fuimos por la ruta 23, que lleva a Calama, hasta aproximadamente este punto (-22.724446,-68.392870), en donde seguimos el camino indicado como B-207 en Google Maps, pasamos por el Centro Arqueológico Yerbas Buenas y en este punto (-22.668989,-68.229321) tomamos el camino hacia el norte, bordeando el Río Salado hasta llegar al Valle del Arcoíris. Respecto a la mejor hora para apreciar los colores, desconozco está información. Lo que te puedo decir, es que a la hora que fui, entre 10 y 12 de la mañana, los colores se veían súper bien.

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Valle del Arcoíris

El Valle del Arcoíris se encuentra en la cuenca del Río Grande, a aproximadamente 90 kilómetros de San Pedro de Atacama, y cercano a los petroglifos de Yerbas Buenas, sector donde cruzaban caravanas de indígenas desde Argentina y el Altiplano Boliviano con el objetivo de llegar al Pacífico. Su nombre se le otorga debido a la variedad de colores que se puede observar en los cerros del valle; colores tierra, rojos, beige, verdes, blancos yamarillos. Todos combinados con restos de sal blanca y un cielo azul. Los colores de este sector muestran la riqueza ecológica de la arcilla, minerales y sales.

Cómo visitarlo

Para llegar al Valle del Arcoíris debes tomar el camino hacia Calama desde San Pedro, para luego doblar por el desvío hacia Río Grande. Es un total de 60 km aproximadamente. También existen tours al Valle del Arcoíris que contemplan una visita a los petroglifos de Yerbas Buenas. Estos tours salen desde San Pedro de Atacama aproximadamente a las 8 am, con vuelta un poco pasada las 13 hrs. Si vas por tu cuenta es importante considerar que en el sector no existen almacenes para abastecerse de agua o alimentos, por lo que es elemental que vayas preparado.

Para ver Valle del Arcoíris no es necesario pagar entrada. Sí se cobran CLP$ 3.000 por persona para entrar a los petroglifos de Yerbas Buenas.

San Pedro de Atacama en Instagram

Geysers del Tatio

Valle de la Luna

Lagunas Altiplánicas

26 Fun Things to Do in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Adventurous Kate contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

San Pedro de Atacama is a small-town oasis surrounded by one of the driest places on the planet. People come from around the world to experience the Atacama Desert, and there are plenty of fun things to do in San Pedro de Atacama, the gateway to exploring this otherworldly setting.

Planning your trip to San Pedro de Atacama last minute?

San Pedro is a small town and most popular tours and hotels book up fast. Book ahead to avoid disappointment!

🔭 Top Experiences and Tours in San Pedro de Atacama:

• Stargazing Tour with an Astronomer (Absolute must!)
• Puritama Hot Springs (My favorite thing I did!)
• El Tatio Geysers Tour (Better on a tour than on your own)

🛌  Top-Rated Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama:

• Cas a Lickana B&B (I stayed here and loved it!)
• Hotel Desertic a (Upscale + great location)
• La Casa del Pueblo Hostal (Great budget option)

🚗 Renting a car from Calama Airport near San Pedro? Find deals on car rental rates here.

My husband Charlie and I chose to visit Atacama Desert on our monthlong Chile-Argentina-Uruguay honeymoon. Why? Volcanoes, salty lakes, erupting geysers, giant sand dunes, and bizarre rock formations — not to mention the flamingos, guanacos, and vicuñas!

Right away, we knew San Pedro de Atacama would be the best base for exploring the Atacama Desert in Chile. A small town with a bohemian feel, sitting at 2,400 meters above sea level and surrounded by the Andes mountains, San Pedro is full of character (and characters) — a fun place to return after exploring the desert each day!

Here are the best things to do in San Pedro de Atacama — gateway to some of the most visually striking places in Chile, a country that punches above its weight in terms of natural beauty.

This post was published in February 2024 and was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Hannah Cooper.

Table of Contents

Safety in San Pedro de Atacama

Please don’t skip this section, it’s important!! I’m adding in a section on safety in San Pedro de Atacama because I feel like the dangers of the desert are so underplayed.

First off, the Atacama Desert is a high-altitude desert, which is a tough on your body. You’ll be experiencing the effects of a desert climate (dry eyes, nose, lips, and skin) as well as possibly the effects of altitude (fatigue, dizziness, headaches), especially in highest-altitude places like the El Tatio geysers.

Secondly, you need to decide whether to 1) rent a car and explore independently, or 2) book tours. Charlie and I rented a car, but knowing what I know now about the driving conditions, booking tours is far safer.

There is only one gas station in the area — in the town of San Pedro de Atacama — and if you break down, your situation could quickly turn deadly. There is no phone signal outside the town. Many roads are unpaved and in bad condition. It is incredibly hot during the day and quite cold at night. There are safety trucks patrolling the most traversed roads, and they often have to save stranded tourists.

At one point we realized we had a deflating tire that had to be inflated each morning, and my heart was in my throat until we got back to Calama Airport safely.

If you’re driving on your own, check your tire pressure, keep a full tank of gas, and take water and food with you. Don’t drive on your own if you’re traveling solo. Don’t drive while tired. Drive slowly, take no chances, and keep an eye out for wildlife.

Best Things to Do in San Pedro de Atacama

Visit the valle de la luna.

Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) is one of the most popular attractions in the Atacama, and I think it’s a good place to visit on your first day in San Pedro de Atacama, as it’s a good afternoon destination. The main activities here include the mysterious Three Marias rocks, an abandoned salt mine, and a 40-minute walk through the colossal dunes.

Valle de la Luna is an easy 25-minute drive from San Pedro (which you will soon learn is EXTREMELY close by Atacama standards). Many tourists cycle there, although you must arrive before 11:00 AM. 

Instead, I recommend arriving in the afternoon when the light is softer, and then hanging around for sunset at the La Piedra del Coyote viewpoint. You should buy admission tickets via Punto Ticket — you will need to arrive at a specific time.

Otherwise, you can book a Valle de la Luna tour from San Pedro . This tour brings you to the sites listed and concludes with watching the sunset nearby.

Watch the sunset at La Piedra del Coyote

La Piedra del Coyote (aka Mirador de Kari) is one of the best places to see the sunset in the Atacama. This is one of the most popular photos of the Atacama, and one that you’ve likely already seen: a huge plateau overlooking the Valle de la Luna where the jagged rocks and the Andes mountains light up in different colors as the sun sinks into the horizon.

Note that admission to this point is only possible with a Valle de la Luna ticket and must be on the same day; you can’t visit otherwise. Also, you should know that there isn’t really anywhere comfortable to sit here; there are a few cement blocks you can sit on, but they might all be taken, leaving you to pick out a rock.

Once the sunset wraps, the staff will shoo you out. That’s around 8:30 PM in summer and 5:30 PM in winter. 

Go sandboarding in the Valle de la Muerte

Sandboarding in Valle de la Muerte (the Atacama’s Death Valley) is one of the most adventurous things to do in San Pedro de Atacama! This valley is only five minutes from town and features dunes ranging from 40 meters to 200 meters. 

Valle de la Muerte reopened for sandboarding in 2023 after being shut down. Sandboard San Pedro is one of the best tour operators offering equipment, guides bilingual in Spanish and English, and transport. They run morning, afternoon, and full-moon sandboarding tours. 

Note that this region is sometimes referred to as Valle de Marte (Mars Valley). 

Go stargazing

Did you know that the Atacama Desert is home to the best stargazing on the planet? Seriously! The bone-dry, high-altitude climate allows exceptional visibility.

Astronomical tours are one of the best things to do in San Pedro de Atacama, and allow you to learn about astronomy and view celestial objects through a telescope.

Tours generally cost around $40-45 USD and include a professional astrophoto, like the one you see above. A few options worth checking out are this stargazing tour with an astronomer (the cheapest small-group tour), this astronomical and astrophotography tour (with more emphasis on photographing the stars) and the premium “Under the Atacama Night” (with a cultural focus). 

However, don’t make the mistake I did — don’t book a trip to the Atacama during the full moon if you can help it! The light from the moon wipes out the stars. It was a clear night and we were still able to see some stars (as well as Jupiter and Saturn, both very cool), but a night with the new moon would have been infinitely better.

Star-gazing can be done year-round in San Pedro de Atacama. You should know that clouds are rare in the Atacama but tour-canceling cloudy skies are most common in the months of January and February. The Milky Way is visible during the winter months (June, July, and August).

It used to be possible to visit the ALMA Observatory , however, public visits are currently suspended.

Explore the town of San Pedro de Atacama

The town of San Pedro de Atacama is as touristy as it comes — but that’s a good thing here! The town has a bohemian, hippie feel, and reminds me a lot of places like Pai, Thailand, and Holbox, Mexico. You’ll find a smattering of good restaurants, tons of tour companies, souvenir shops galore, bike rental companies, and impromptu pan flute jams.

Pedestrian-only Caracoles is the central walking street in San Pedro, and it’s especially pleasant around sunset, when the fierce daytime temperatures drop and everyone comes out to stroll. It’s like the passeggiata in Italy!

Here are a few of my favorite spots in San Pedro de Atacama:

ChelaCa bur — This bar has a fun atmosphere, a big beer list, offbeat decor, and great music. Oddly, I felt at home right away! Their chelada — a light beer with lime juice, ice, and salt — hits the spot after a day in the desert, replacing all the electrolytes you’ve lost.

Roots Café & Ba r — This alternative cafe boasts the best coffee in town. It also felt like the coolest people in town happened to be working here! Charlie and I each ordered an iced coffee on a hot day – followed swiftly by a second iced coffee. They were that good.

Emporio Andino — This bakery serves fantastic empanadas and they’re big enough to have one as a meal. So good that we had them for dinner on multiple occasions! I especially loved their caprese empanada with queso mantecoso, tomato, and basil.

Heladería Babalú — Visiting this beloved ice cream shop in San Pedro is practically a rite of passage! Here you can find both classic flavors and some unusual options inspired by the local herbs, like “flor del desierto” and “rica-rica.” My favorite was the maracuya (passion fruit).

Visit the stunning Lagunas Altiplánicas

Sitting at maximum altitudes of 4,100 meters, the cobalt-blue Lagunas Altiplánicas are individually called Miscanti and Miñiques. These sparkling lakes are linked by a walking trail designed for landscape photography and birdwatching, and I was impressed by their beauty.

If you’re planning to visit Lagunas Altiplánicas independently, you will need to buy timed tickets via the Socaire website . I strongly recommend buying the ticket package that includes both the Lagunas Altiplánicas and Piedras Rojas, as they’re close to each other.

Socaire is about an hour’s drive from San Pedro, so factor this into choosing your time slot. You’ll have to check in at the town of Socaire on the way and collect a paper ticket. Officially, check-in is one hour before your timestamp. We arrived a bit early and it wasn’t an issue, but it’s wise to stick to the time slot. 

We had a lot of issues with the site timing out when trying to buy the tickets. It was like pulling teeth. Overall, I recommend going with a tour for this activity rather than going on your own.

This top-rated tour takes you to Piedras Rojas, the Altiplanic Lagoons, and Salar de Atacama . If you book a tour, the entrance fee must be paid separately in Chilean pesos; your guides will collect the fee on the drive. 

Another bonus: the turn-off to the dirt road leading to Lagunas Altiplánicas has lots of vicuñas, a llama-like creature! We saw a whole family.

Walk around Las Piedras Rojas 

After leaving the Lagunas Altiplánicas, the Piedras Rojas (Red Rocks) are a 45-minute drive further south. Also known as the Aguas Calientes Salt Flat, these rust-colored boulders edge another high-altitude salt lake. The pale blues and greens of the water with the deep pink and red hues of the rocks lead to an otherworldly atmosphere.

There is an easy, mostly flat walking trail taking you around the salt lakes. But you should know that you’re at 3,800 meters above sea level — expect to be a bit out of breath when doing this walk. Dress warmly, as it will be chilly and windy. I was wearing a denim jacket, which wasn’t quite warm enough for this area. My Uniqlo ultra light down jacket would have been a better choice.

The guides said that the walking trail would take around 90 minutes; Charlie and I walked it quickly and did it in 40 minutes.

If you want to visit Piedras Rojas on a tour, I recommend the same Piedras Rojas, the Altiplanic Lagoons, and Salar de Atacama tour listed above.

Note: if traveling independently, by this time you’ll probably be ready for lunch. There are a few places to eat in Socaire.

Pose at the Tropic of Capricorn Sign

The Tropic of Capricorn is located just south of San Pedro de Atacama, and there is an Instagram-ready sign marking it! You can find Tropic of Capricorn signs on either side of Highway 23, about 45 minutes’ driving time south of San Pedro de Atacama, just north of Socaire.

There’s nothing else to do here — but it’s definitely worth stopping for a quick photo on your way to or from the Lagunas Altiplánicos and the Piedras Rojas.

This wasn’t my first time at the Tropic of Capricorn — I also drove through it near Shark Bay in Western Australia .

See El Tatio Geysers at dawn

Situated at a sky-high 4,300 meters, El Tatio is the highest geyser field in the world. These 80 hot water and stream eruptions reach heights of 10 meters. But if you want to see the bubbling explosions in action for yourself, you’ll need to visit VERY early in the morning — just before sunrise.

Yes, that means you’ll need to leave San Pedro de Atacama at about 4:00 AM to get there on time. For this reason, I strongly recommend visiting on a tour rather than driving there on your own. The roads are not in great condition and you don’t want to be driving them in the dark — plus the altitude here can lead to headaches and nausea.

Instead, I recommend booking this tour to the El Tatio geysers , on a bus with big windows. You’ll be picked up around 4:00 AM and can snooze the whole drive there. You’ll visit the village of Machuca and the Rio Putana wetlands afterwards.

You should also know that it’s extremely cold at the El Tatio geysers before the sun comes up — below freezing. Wear all of your warmest clothes. It will get better once the sun comes up.

Still intent on driving yourself? Some visitors to San Pedro de Atacama wait for an excursion van and tailgate them all the way to the geysers. Drivers hate this, but it will help you see where you’re going. Allow two hours for the drive (90 minutes if you have a 4X4). But if you’re on your own, you can visit the Puritama Hot Springs on the way back (more on that below).

The entrance fee at the El Tatio geysers is 15,000 CLP ($16 USD) in cash and must be paid by all visitors, regardless of tour.

Stop off at Lagunas Flamingos

The Lagunas Flamingos are located just south of Mahuca, on the way back from El Tatio. These lakes are named for the cotton candy-colored birds who wade in the shallows – go figure!

It’s worth stopping for a few photos on the way back from El Tatio Geysers. However, I don’t think it’s worth making a special trip to these lakes. Stick to the Puritama Hot Springs instead. Which brings us to our next item…

Soak in the Puritama Hot Springs (Termas de Puritama)

Now THIS was my favorite experience in the Atacama Desert! I love visiting hot springs around the world, from Iceland to Italy, but the Puritama Hot Springs might have the most unique setting of all: a verdant canyon in the middle of the desert. 

It looks like nothing when you arrive — just a parking lot. But hidden from the road is a pathway that slowly descends into the canyon.

Here you can enjoy a chain of seven pools, all of them linked with waterfalls. The water is warm, not hot, but these pools are absolute PARADISE after spending a few days in the driest place in the world!

There are restrooms and single-sex group changing rooms (no private stalls) at the complex. You’ll need to bring your own lock if you want to use the lockers, and there is no food or drink. I recommend bringing flip-flops for walking the paths between the pools, and take it slowly on the walk out of the canyon — the high altitude makes uphill climbs extra challenging!

It takes 30 minutes to drive to the Puritama Hot Springs from San Pedro. Without a car, you can book this tour to take you.

Tickets cost 35,000 CLP ($38.50 USD) per adult and must be purchased online in advance for either the morning, afternoon, or sunset slot. (Note that there are mid-day closures between the time slots.) Even if you book a tour, you still need to buy admission via this website. 

Find flamingos at Laguna Chaxa

Laguna Chaxa is one of the best spots on the Atacama salt flats for seeing flamingos. This shallow lake is the habitat of Chilean, Andean, and James flamingoes. 

It takes 1 hour and 40 minutes to drive to the Chaxa Lagoon from San Pedro. Once you leave the main road it switches to gravel, like many of the roads in the region, but it is drivable in a regular car. 

I think Laguna Chaxa is best visited on the way back from Lagunas Altiplánicas and Piedras Rojas, as it’s an easy detour from that main road. This Atacama Salt Flat and Piedras Rojas tour is a full day out and stops at all three.  

Float in salty Laguna Cejar

Laguna Cejar is another part of the Atacama salt flats where you’ll see flamingos. Plus, you’ll have the chance to float in the saline-loaded waters — this lake is saltier than the Dead Sea!

Cejar Lagoon is the first stop on the short walking path. However, the lake you’ll actually swim in is Laguna Piedra. (Pretty much all locals refer to both lakes as Laguna Cejar, which can be a bit confusing.)

It’s cold when you first enter the water, but you’ll soon warm up. Swimming is capped at 20 minutes for safety reasons, after which you’ll need to shower the salt off before leaving.

Lagunas Cejar and Piedra are an easy 25-minute drive from San Pedro. You can buy an entry ticket for 20,000 CLP ($22 USD) online .

But like all things in this part of the world, random closures can happen. Unfortunately Laguna Cejar happened to be closed when Charlie and I showed up. Oh well — next time!

Want to do it on a tour? This top-rated tour to Laguna Cejar, Ojos del Salar, and Laguna Tebinquinche is available. Admission to the lagoons is payable in cash to the guide, and the outing includes a picnic.

Catch sunset at Laguna Tebinquinche

The Atacama Desert is fascinating from a biological perspective — and Laguna Tebinquinche contains a unique microbial ecosystem that isn’t found anywhere else on the planet.  And it’s another visually spellbinding destination.

Touching the water and salt deposits is forbidden, but you can enjoy views of the layers from the footpath. Tourists must leave before sunset, but you should stay as long as possible to enjoy the glorious light and color changes.

It’s a 20-minute drive from Laguna Cejar with a stop at the two sinkholes known as Ojos del Salar (Eyes of the Salt Flats). The aforementioned tour to Laguna Cejar finishes off at Laguna Tebinquinche. 

Check out the Yerbas Buenas petroglyphs

Yerbas Buenas is a great place to learn about the human history of San Pedro and the surrounding area.  This area is rich with petroglyphs from 10,000 years ago.

This rock art depicts animals of the Atacama, including vicuñas and Andean foxes.

It’s a 50-minute drive from San Pedro de Atacama to the Yerbas Buenas petroglyph. This six-hour tour to Valle del Arcoíris , the Atacama’s Rainbow Valley, includes a stop on the way back. And like any place featuring ancient art, it’s good to have a guide explain it to you.

Climb Cerro Toco

If you’re physically fit, acclimated to the altitude, and up for a challenge, climbing a dormant volcano in the Andes mountains is one of the most adventurous things to do in San Pedro de Atacama .

Cerro Toco reaches 5,604 meters and is one of the top places for spectacular desert views (in a region that seems to have spectacular views around every corner!).

You’ll need to book a guided Cerro Toco summit trek with a certificated high-mountain guide. Proper trekking gear is mandatory, and keep in mind that the high altitude makes this far more difficult than if it were at a lower elevation. Do not even think of doing this if you’re not accustomed to hiking in altitude.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karina Rocha (@kasrocha)

Visit Museo de Meteorito

Inspecting meteorites collected from the desert is one of the most unexpected things to do in San Pedro de Atacama in the evening before dinner. Museo de Meteorito contains achondrites, chondrites, mesosiderites, and pallasites.

An audio tour is available in multiple languages. At the end, you’ll have a hands-on demo for detecting meteorites from regular rocks.

The Meteorite Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 6:00-9:00 PM. Cash-only admission is 5,000 CLP ($5.50 USD).

Ride a Hot Air Balloon

Are you a baller? You can’t get much more baller than riding a hot air balloon over the Atacama Desert! And it’s hard to imagine a better view than from the sky.

Yes, it’s expensive — but I would file this under “once in a lifetime” travel experiences.

You can find and book hot air balloon flights in San Pedro de Atacama here, and they take place in the early morning between September and May. 

Off the Beaten Path near San Pedro de Atacama

Here are a few more destinations in San Pedro de Atacama worth visiting:

Salar de Tara — Located within the Los Flamencos National Reserve in Northern Chile, this phenomenal salt flat borders both Bolivia and Argentina. Besides flamingoes, you’ll see sand-carved “cathedrals.”

Laguna Baltinache — More salty lakes, you say? Why not! Not a lot of people visit the Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache , preferring Lagunas Cejar and Piedra, which makes them a lovely escape.. Swimming is permitted in two of the seven. 

Valle del Arcoíris — The Atacama’s “Rainbow Valley” contains stripey mountains and rock formations formed by wind erosion. It’s the first stop on this six-hour tour to Valle del Arcoíris followed by Yerbas Buenas. 

How Much Time to Spend in San Pedro de Atacama

I think three days in San Pedro de Atacama is the perfect amount of time. If you arrive midday on the first day, that’s fine — you still have time for the Valle de la Luna, sunset at La Piedra del Coyote, and even some stargazing.

A four- or five-day itinerary would give you enough time to do everything on this list.

There are a few points of consideration into how many days to spend in San Pedro de Atacama. First of all, it’s in the middle of nowhere, so you’ll probably have to plan flights on either side, and second, the high-altitude desert environment can be tough to get used to.

Be sure to take it easy and slowly increase your elevation. Most guides recommend starting easily with the Valle de la Luna and saving El Tatio geysers for your last day because it’s at a much higher altitude.

Finally — thanks to our crusty noses, dry lips, and a few headaches, Charlie and I were relieved to leave the desert after three days. Our next destination was Puerto Varas in the lush, green Los Lagos region and it felt like paradise!

How to get to San Pedro de Atacama

The closest airport to San Pedro de Atacama is in the city of Calama. El Loa Airport in Calama has several flights to Santiago each day, which take about two hours. From Calama it’s a one-hour drive to San Pedro.

There are several kiosks at the arrivals terminal selling bus transfers to San Pedro. A single fare is 15,000 CLP ($16.50 USD). If you’re traveling during the peak travel months (November through March), I recommend you pre-book a shared transfer .

You can also rent a car in Calama and drive to San Pedro de Atacama, as we did.

Not up for flying? There is a bus to San Pedro de Atacama from Santiago, but it takes a whopping 22 hours! Chile is a looooong country.

You can also look at traveling to or from San Pedro by bus from other South American destinations. Tours of the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia often finish in San Pedro de Atacama, and there are buses from the city of Salta, Argentina, that take 10 hours.

Recorrido and Busbud are the best places to scope out routes and fares.

Where to Stay in San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama is a relatively small town. I recommend staying close to Caracoles, the main walking street in town, which is home to lots of restaurants, shops, bars, and tour companies. Everything is close by when you stay near Caracoles.

For that reason, I selected the top-rated hotels in San Pedro that are close to Caracoles:

Top-Rated Luxury Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama: If you’re happy to splash out, you’ll appreciate the exceptional Hotel Desertic a for its pool. Abode rooms are tricked out with natural materials and have swanky private bathrooms. 

Top-Rated Mid-range Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama: Cas a Lickana B&B  is where I stayed and I’m happy to recommend it based on location, security, and value for money! The rooms aren’t huge, but they have private outdoor patios, and breakfast is included (including hot dishes like scrambled eggs). The staff are lovely and kind, though you shouldn’t expect any of them to know any English (which is not unusual in Chile).

Top-Rated Budget Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama: La Casa del Pueblo Hosta l is a fuss-free budget option that offers economical double rooms and family rooms with either a private or shared bathroom. Breakfast is included in the price and rental bikes are available.

Find deals on places to stay in San Pedro de Atacama here.

Best Time to Visit San Pedro de Atacama

It’s possible to visit San Pedro at any time of year. It’s warmest during summer: that’s December, January, and February in the southern hemisphere! October, November, and March are best for decent weather, fewer crowds, and lower accommodation rates.

A very short but pretty intense rainy season occurs in February. It brings a heavy onset of rainfall for a week or so near town. However, most parts of the Atacama have never seen a drop of rain. (EVER! Seriously! How does life exist here?!)

The winter months of June, July, and August are bone-chillingly cold at night, although they have the perk of clear skies and minimal crowds. This is also when you can see the Milky Way in the Atacama Desert.

Mornings, evenings, and nights in the Atacama are always cold, but temperatures in San Pedro are blisteringly hot during the early afternoon. Certain tourist spots are subject to colder/windier daytime conditions at all times of the year, like El Tatio before dawn, where temperatures are often below freezing. Bundle up!

Is San Pedro de Atacama Worth It?

Okay, I’ll be honest with you — San Pedro de Atacama was worth it for me personally, but I don’t think it’s for everyone. The environment is visually spectacular, but visiting this area involves a lot of long distance drives on rough roads to “just look at things,” as my husband put it.

The Puritama Hot Springs and stargazing tour were much more interactive, but he was right — besides those things, there was a lot of “drive two hours to a thing, take a photo, and there’s nothing else to do there, so you leave.” That, on top of the dryness, peeling lips, and altitude fatigue.

San Pedro is quite a far distance from everything else in Chile, so if you’re not 100% set on visiting, you may want to consider whether your limited time in Chile would be better spent hiking in Patagonia, exploring towns in the Lakes region, or enjoying art and culture in Valparaíso.

But if you love deserts, unusual landscapes, photography, and star-gazing, I think you’ll love the Atacama! This truly is a special part of the world, and I’m so glad I got to experience it.

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Tour San Pedro de Atacama Chile

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Valle del Arcoí­ris: Un paraí­so de colores. San Pedro de Atacama.

A 3.500 metros sobre el nivel del mar y a x  kilómetros de San Pedro de Atacama se encuentra el Valle del Arcoiris .

El Valle del Arcoiris se encuentra emplezado en a cuenca del Río Grande, a unos 90 kms de San Pedro de Atacama . El camino de acceso deben empalmarse en la ruta a Calama. El valle, al igual que el resto de loa atractivos de San Pedro de Ataca y alrededores, se encuentra muy por sobre los 3000 metros sobre el nivel del mar.

El Valle del Arcoiris se encuentra en inmediaciones de Sanitiago de Río Grande o Río Grande y muy próximo a los Petroglifos de Yerbas Buenas, que al igual que otros atractivos de la zona es manejado por la Comunidad Atacameña del lugar.

Las edificaciones de Rio Grande,se carecterizan por estar construídas en piedra, con techos de paja y barro. Se caracterizan igualmente por contar con vigas de madera de algarrobo y en ocasiones en madera de cáctus, aunque en la actualidad existe prohibición de usar esta madera, debido a que se encuentra en estado de vulnerabilidad. En Hierbas Buenas se pueden avistar petroglifos dibujados en las paredes de roca.

Extrañas formaciones y colores pueden divisarse en el Valle del Arcoiris.

EL Valle del arcoiris debe su nombre a la gran variedad de tonalidades que se pueden observar en los cerros del valle; colores tierra, rojizos, beiges, verdes, blancos, amarillos, combinados con las sales blancas y el cielo azul, además de combinarse en extrañas formaciones. Los colores dan cuenta de la gran riqueza y diferentes concentraciones de arcilla, sales y minerales.

Por otro lado, también aquí existen interesantes formaciones rocosas producto de la erosión. Por el Valle pueden verse fuertes tonalidades de verde, por especies naturales que se desarrollan en torno a las aguas que circulan por el lugar.

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Explora lagunas ocultas, volcanes majestuosos y sorprendentes oasis con adrenalina.

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Descubre el patrimonio de la cultura atacameña a través de sus petroglifos y antiguos pueblos.

Turismo fotográfico

El Desierto de Atacama ofrece los más hermosos paisajes naturales listos para ser fotografiados.

Atacama Magic: Donde los sueños se hacen realidad en el desierto

Explora la belleza única de San Pedro de Atacama con nosotros y crea recuerdos inolvidables en el corazón del desierto más árido del mundo. ¡Tu aventura mágica comienza aquí!

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Consejos prácticos para una experiencia inolvidable, experiencias únicas, el blog del desierto de atacama.

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Tours en San Pedro de Atacama

Explora nuestra selección de tours y actividades. Crea tu propio itinerario de viaje y resérvalo en línea.

Reserva los traslados y tours imperdibles para conocer los principales atractivos de San Pedro de Atacama y el desierto.

Transfer Aeropuerto Calama

• Anulación gratuita

Traslado en transfer compartido o privado entre el Aeropuerto de Calama y tu alojamiento en San Pedro de Atacama.   Ver más >>

• Horarios: 19:40 a 22:30 y 21:40 a 00:30

Toma el Tour Astrofotográfico, con fotos de uno de los cielos más limpios para la observación astronómica.   Ver más >>

• Horarios: 15:00 a 19:30

En nuestro tour al Valle de la Luna, disfruta de un atardecer de otro planeta, visitando las Tres Marías, el Cañón, el Anfiteatro y el mirador de Licarantay.   Ver más >>

• Horarios: 04:30 a 12:00

Imperdible tour a los Geysers del Tatio, un espectáculo único en el mundo. Incluye desayuno y vista al río Putana.   Ver más >>

Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache

• Horarios: 07:00 a 12:30 , 07:30 a 13:00 y 13:30 a 19:15

Visita las lagunas escondidas de Baltinache o Siete Lagunas, uno de los secretos del desierto de Atacama. Incluye transporte compartido.   Ver más >>

Piedras Rojas y Lagunas Altiplánicas

• Horarios: 07:00 a 18:00

Tour a Piedras Rojas, a las Lagunas Altiplánicas Miscanti y Meñiques, y a la laguna Chaxa. Incluye parada en el trópico de Capricornio y entrada a Piedras Rojas.   Ver más >>

Incluye entrada

Laguna Cejar, Ojos del Salar y Laguna Tebinquinche

• Horarios: 14:00 a 19:00

Tour a Laguna Cejar, Laguna Piedra, Ojos del Salar y Laguna Tebinquinche, donde podrás ver aguas turquesas en un paisaje sobrecogedor. Incluye entrada a Cejar.   Ver más >>

Ruta de los Salares

• Horarios: 07:00 a 14:30 y 07:30 a 14:30

Tour Ruta de los salares para visitar los Monjes de la Pacana y Quisquiro. Incluye transporte, desayuno y guía.   Ver más >>

Valle del Arcoíris

• Horarios: 07:00 a 12:30

Descubre las coloridas montañas del Valle del Arcoíris, el valle del río Salado y los petroglifos de Yerbas Buenas. Incluye transporte y guía.   Ver más >>

• Horarios: 14:30 a 19:00

Toma el tour a Vallecito para ver paisajes lunares y ver el atardecer en el autobús mágico abandonado de San Pedro de Atacama.   Ver más >>

Traslado Termas de Puritama

• Horarios: 08:00 a 12:50 y 13:00 a 18:00

Toma el Traslado Termas de Puritama para disfrutar de un reponedor baño, considerada una de las tres mejores termas de Chile.   Ver más >>

¡Visita el Salar de Uyuni desde San Pedro de Atacama! Revisa las opciones con transporte, alojamiento y alimentación, o bien el transporte directo.

Salar de Uyuni (4 días)

Alojamiento en refugios, Habitación Compartida, Transporte Compartido, Alimentación

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Privado hoteles.

Salar de Uyuni (3 días)

Salar de Uyuni Privado Express (3 días)

Alojamiento en hoteles, Habitación Privada, Transporte Privado, Alimentación

Traslado Directo a Uyuni

• Horarios: 06:00 a 17:00

Traslado directo, en servicio compartido, desde tu alojamiento en San Pedro de Atacama hasta el centro de la ciudad de Uyuni.   Ver más >>

Si cuentas con buen estado físico y quieres disfrutar del desierto desde las alturas, te invitamos a vivir esta inolvidable experiencia.

Ascenso Cerro Toco

• Horarios: 08:00 a 15:00

Asciende junto a un instructor profesional hasta la cima del Cerro Toco, ubicado a 5600 m de altitud. Recomendable para quienes quieran ascender su 1ra cumbre.   Ver más >>

Ascenso Volcán Sairecabur

Ascenso de alta dificultad para personas con experiencia, con un instructor profesional hasta el cráter del Volcán Sairecabur, ubicado a 6.000 m de altitud.   Ver más >>

Ascenso Volcán Licancabur (2 días)

• Horarios: 14:00 a 18:00

Asciende junto a un instructor profesional hasta el cráter del Volcán Licancabur, ubicado a 5.900 m de altitud. Ascenso de alta dificultad.   Ver más >>

Ascenso Volcán Láscar

• Horarios: 05:00 a 16:00

Asciende junto a un instructor profesional hasta el cráter activo del Volcán Láscar, ubicado a 5.600 m de altitud. Incluye desayuno.   Ver más >>

Vive la experiencia del trekking en el desierto de Atacama, uno de los más áridos del planeta. Incluye transporte y guía.

Trekking Nocturno Cordillera de la Sal

• Horarios: 17:00 a 21:30

El Trekking Nocturno Cordillera de la Sal consiste en una caminata suave al atardecer, finalizando con un picoteo en medio del desierto, bajo las estrellas.   Ver más >>

Trekking Cascadas y Cactus

• Horarios: 08:00 a 12:00 y 15:00 a 19:00

Haz el Trekking Cascadas y Cactus de dificultad media baja, alcanzando 3000 m de altitud.   Ver más >>

Trekking Guatin y Termas de Puripobre

• Horarios: 07:30 a 13:00 y 14:00 a 19:30

Haz el Trekking Guatin y Termas de Puripobre, por un cañón de cactus gigantes, alcanzando pozones para bañarse. Dificultad media, una hora de subida.   Ver más >>

Atrévete con nuestra selección de tours alternativos.

Sandboard Valle de la Muerte

• Horarios: 08:00 a 12:15 y 15:00 a 18:30

Aprende y practica sandboard en el Valle de la Muerte, en dunas de hasta 200 m de altura. Apto tanto para principiantes como para experimentados.   Ver más >>

Tour Astronómico

• Horarios: 20:00 a 22:30 y 22:00 a 00:30

Toma este Tour Astronómico en el desierto de Atacama, uno de los mejores lugares del mundo para la observación del cielo nocturno.   Ver más >>

• Horarios: 05:00 a 08:45

¡Vive una experiencia única e inolvidable al amanecer! Sobrevuela San Pedro de Atacama y sus alrededores en un globo aerostático.   Ver más >>

Tour E-bike Valle de la Luna

• Horarios: 09:00 a 12:30

Toma este Tour E-Bike Valle de la Luna y recorre sus paisajes de forma tranquila en una bicicleta eléctrica.   Ver más >>

Tour E-bike Laguna Cejar

Toma el tour E-bike Laguna Cejar y recorre los paisajes del desierto de Atacama en una bicicleta eléctrica.   Ver más >>

Buggy Safari Cordillera de la Sal

• Horarios: 15:00 a 18:00

Tour guiado buggy Cordillera de la Sal, visitando diferentes puntos del desierto de Atacama. Incluye conductor guía y equipo.   Ver más >>

Avistamiento de Fauna Andina

• Horarios: 14:30 a 18:00

Toma el Fauna Fotosafari e identifica y fotografía flamencos, vicuñas y otros animales que habitan en el desierto de Atacama. Incluye transporte y guía.   Ver más >>

Revisa las opciones de alojamiento disponibles en San Pedro de Atacama.

Hotel Casa de Don Tomás

• Horarios: 15:00 a 12:00

Ubicado a 15 minutos a pie de la calle principal del pueblo. Habitaciones estándar con baño privado, y acceso a piscina. Incluye desayuno.   Ver más >>

Elige alguno de los paquetes disponibles de actividades con alojamiento en San Pedro de Atacama. Incluyen transporte desde el aeropuerto.

Programa Atacama 3 días

• Horarios: 09:00 a 19:00

Visita San Pedro de Atacama con este programa de 3 días con alojamiento y 4 de los tours imperdibles en el desierto de Atacama.   Ver más >>

Programa Atacama 4 días

Programa de 4 días con alojamiento y 5 tours imperdibles desde San Pedro de Atacama.   Ver más >>

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Efficient and wonderful tour agency! - Layana Travel

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Efficient and wonderful tour agency!

We had a great time with our 4 tours! Especially Camila and Philipe were great guides. And thans to Athena for the efficient handling of our bookings via Whatsapp. Hope to meet you all again. Abrazos!

We have an excellent day with a guide Carolina. Well-thought tour. Amazing views. And delicious food (breakfast and lunch were included)

We did 2 tours with Layana. The first one was to the moon valley. The guide we had was the worst guide ever. He was constantly in a hurry and eventually we were back in san pedro way to early. He also made fun of people for their questions and did not have much respect or even knowledge of the desert. He did not give us much information, only some information after clearly asking for it. The other tour on the other hand was great! He told us everything the guide from the day before could not and he was very nice. So in the end do not go on a tour with Manuel and hopefully you will be fine

Shoutout to Layana for being so amazing. Every single tour guide was professional, knowledgable and multilingual. I bought a multi trip pack through ruta Chile which was the worst part of the trip because they didn’t communicate with Layana or myself on the fact that pickup times have a 30 min pickup window, the duration of the tours or that I’m a vegetarian but again since Layana is an awesome group they did their best to accommodate. If you’re able to just book directly with Layana do that so you’re able to have better communication. The tours I did were: Geysers with Carolina and Jeff. Valle de arco iris with Manuel aka Manu and Luis. Valle de la Luna with Eric and Luis Red rocks with Cristian and Yeni And Cejar Lagoon with Cristian and César every single one was able to provide an inclusive tour for multiple languages at once. It was impressive, to be honest. I highly recommend them all!

Fantastic day out. I would highly recommend this tour to anybody. The best tour guide Krysthel and her equally great driver really made so much effort to make it a great day. If i were to go back one day i would for sure take another tour with these guys again. Nothing was too much trouble and Krysthel took the best pictures of me i have so far on my travels. She is also a funny girl with a good grasp of English. Keep up the good work!! 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

On 29/1 we had Carolina and her awesome driver for 2 tours for the day for the Geysers and the Valley of the Moon. She was fantastic and very knowledgeable with her tour, also very hilarious with her great sense of humour. She evenly spoke Spanish and English amongst our group and I applaud her efforts throughout the day. Carolina and her driver also had a cool playlist of music on throughout the day 🤘 On 30/1 we had Felipe for the whole day as well to see the Flamingos, “safari” and the drive up to the mountains. He made it a most pleasurable and entertaining trip with his knowledge, music and comments. He took us to some sites that look too unreal! It was like standing and looking at a painting (as he said)! We had great fun with both Guides (and driver) and I highly recommend them for any future travellers coming through San Pedro. I applaud their fluency in English. My partner has had to translate a lot of tours for me throughout our trip prior to this. They were very passionate, knowledgeable, safety cautious and funny. 5 stars!!