ABOUT THE ATACAMA DESERT

The Atacama is the driest desert in the world. But contrary to what many might think, its landscapes go far beyond sand dunes. They are magical settings, made up of blue lagoons; volcanoes with snow-covered peaks year-round; geysers; and exotic flora and fauna.

And let’s not forget the peculiar town of San Pedro de Atacama. This village is the base for tours in the region and is located 2,800 meters above sea level. Every day, thousands of visitors from around the world pass through. The buildings have a rustic exterior, and the streets are unpaved, giving the town a “dusty” look—but you’ll find plenty of comfortable hotels, excellent restaurants, and lively bars.

A fun fact for dog lovers: the town is affectionately nicknamed San “Perro” (dog in Spanish) de Atacama due to the large number of beautiful and friendly dogs roaming its dirt streets.

Some of the region’s attractions:

• Valle de La Luna
  Valle de La Luna is one of the most visited tourist spots in the Atacama Desert region. It’s a valley of volcanic origin, where you’ll find formations made of salt, gypsum, and clay that change shape with the action of rain and wind, along with some caves and canyons. The grayish soil completes the look that resembles the surface of the Moon.
• Geyser del Tatio
  Geyser del Tatio is a must-see attraction in the Atacama region. Geysers are cracks in the Earth’s crust, common in volcanic areas, where water eruptions reach temperatures of 85°C and heights of 10 meters. Tours to this location depart very early, before dawn, because the low temperatures at that time create a thermal shock that turns the hot water into steam. The view is magical!
• Altiplanic Lagoons
  The Altiplanic Lagoons are among the iconic postcards of the Atacama region. The most visited in the area are Miscanti and Miñiques. The contrast between the dry land, the intense blue of the calm waters, and the surrounding volcanoes makes the scenery look like a mirage. There’s also Laguna Cejar, known for its extremely high salt concentration—higher even than the Dead Sea. A fun fact: because of that, your body doesn’t sink in the lagoon. When you dive in, you always float.
  

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