San Pedro de Atacama Travel Guide: The Complete Guide to the Atacama Desert (2026)
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- By: Peter Orsel
San Pedro de Atacama is one of the most remarkable places I’ve visited in over 40 countries. It sits at 2,400 meters above sea level in the driest desert on earth, surrounded by volcanoes, salt flats and landscapes that genuinely don’t look real. Alongside Patagonia, it’s the most famous destination in Chile, and for good reason.
I spent Christmas here and came back with some of my favourite travel photos ever. In this San Pedro de Atacama travel guide I’ll tell you everything you need to know: how to get there, how to get around, where to stay, what to eat, which tours are worth your money and what to watch out for. Not having to search deep for the actual content that you need, exactly what a travel blog should be like.
In This Post
Why Visit San Pedro de Atacama?
The short answer: I haven’t found any place like this in the entire world.
Valle de la Luna looks like you’ve landed on another planet. Piedras Rojas sits at 4,100 meters with red rock formations next to bright blue salt lagoons. The night sky above the Atacama is one of the clearest on earth, and it’s visible for free from almost anywhere outside of town. There’s wildlife with vicuñas and llamas all along the roads. Flamingos in the lagoons. And if you time it right, a 3-day overland tour takes you straight through to the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia. What else could you ask for!
The landscapes here are some of my favourites in the world. A travel photographer’s dream. This blog will give you all practical information before heading on your trip.
How to get to San Pedro de Atacama?
Most people arrive one of two ways: by flying into Calama airport, or by crossing the border from Bolivia after doing the Uyuni Salt Flats tour.
Flying into Calama is the most common starting point. The airport is small, but operates many flights. From there it’s a 1.5 hour drive through the desert to San Pedro. Don’t consider staying in Calama, there’s nothing to see or do there. Get to San Pedro as quickly as you can.
If you have a rental car, you can pick it up right at the airport and drive yourself in. During Christmas I rented the car for about $48USD a day. Check the prices through DiscoverCars.com. If not, a shared shuttle runs frequently from the airport directly to San Pedro. The fixed price is around 15,000 Chilean pesos (approximately $18 USD). You can book this in advance, though it will cost slightly more. I used TransVip once and the journey was quick and smooth.
Coming from Bolivia via the Uyuni tour is one of the most scenic ways to arrive. The 3-day overland route crosses the border in the far south of Bolivia and drops you directly into San Pedro. I did this on my way out, and it makes the perfect combination of two amazing countries.
How to get around in San Pedro de Atacama?
This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for this trip, and it will directly affect your budget and experience.
This makes the Atacama Desert an expensive destination, and the reason why many people skip it. Just three tours, can easily cost you between $150 and $200 USD. If you’re solo, this is still the best way.
Renting a Car
If you’re travelling with more than one person, rent a car. It’s better value, more flexible and genuinely more fun. The freedom to stop whenever you spot something worth photographing is priceless out here.
The one car rental agency in San Pedro itself is West, but they’re not particularly reliable and booking online is difficult. My recommendation is to pick up your car at Calama airport instead, where the options are better, the vehicles are in good condition and they accept all major credit cards.
Don’t go for the smallest car. The roads to most of the tourist sites involve dirt sections and a slightly larger vehicle makes a real difference in comfort. I drove a Volkswagen T-Cross, a medium-sized SUV without four-wheel drive, and it handled everything except the most extreme dirt roads. If budget allows, a 4WD opens up even more options. Again, a great option to check the cars and prices is through DiscoverCars.com.
One important note: some rental companies include terms that prohibit driving on dirt roads. Read the conditions carefully before you sign. If in doubt, contact the agency directly rather than through a booking platform. You want to speak to someone who can confirm exactly what’s allowed.
Visiting Tourist Sites by Yourself
The Chilean tourism board limits independent access to certain sites during specific hours. It sounds strange, but it’s true. Always check with your accommodation before heading out to a particular spot. The staff deal with this daily and will know exactly what’s restricted and when.
Joining Tours
If you’re travelling solo, tours are usually the most practical option. Three tours can easily cost between $150 and $200 USD, which makes this one of the more expensive destinations relative to its size. That’s the reality of San Pedro as a tourist hub.
The upside is that the tour infrastructure is solid. Most of the major sites are covered and operators know the routes well. For specific highlights like stargazing or the Valle de la Luna sunset, tours are well run and easy to book on arrival or in advance through GetYourGuide.
The Best Tours of San Pedro de Atacama
If you don’t have your own car and decide to stick to the tours, I have some recommendations for you. These are the three best options for a couple of days in San Pedro de Atacama.
- Combine 4 tours in 3 days. The best value for money with the absolute highlights of San Pedro de Atacama. Both of the tours below are included in this trip too!
- See sunset at Valle de la Luna. The best light, a must see, and getting home with the best photos!
- See Piedras Rojas. This was my #1 bucket list activity.
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Where to stay in San Pedro de Atacama
During my time in San Pedro de Atacama, I stayed at Hostal Campo Base. The owner Rodrigo takes very good care of his guests, sending loads of voice memos with information before and during your stay, and the breakfast is super good. If you leave early, they even prepare a little take away breakfast for you. There’s always potable water, the showers are hot, the beds very comfy, there’s daily housekeeping (even in dorms!) and they provide free towels. For me, I couldn’t have wished for a better place during my stay.
If you travel with a +1, friends or family, I can imagine you want to stay in a private accommodation. There are countless options starting from about $35 USD. I recommend finding your spot through Booking.com, as they have many options and a lot of flexibility.
One tip: try to stay in or near the town centre rather than on the edges of San Pedro. Mobile coverage is already patchy, and the further out you go the weaker everything gets.
Internet connection in San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro is famous for lots of things, but not for their internet coverage. Wifi coverage at most accommodations is unreliable and can be genuinely frustrating if you need to work or upload anything large.
The best solution is a local SIM card. I bought a Movistar SIM in Santiago for around 5,000 pesos, which gave me 40GB of data for one month. Chile is expensive in many ways, but SIM cards are surprisingly affordable. In San Pedro town I had 5G coverage around most of the restaurants and tourist areas.
If you’re heading out on day trips or the Uyuni tour, expect no coverage at all for long stretches. Tell people in advance and enjoy the disconnect. It’s actually one of the better parts of being out here.
Food in San Pedro de Atacama
There are countless restaurants in town and at most of the places, it’s possible to eat for about 8.000 pesos or $9 USD.
Many restaurants have a set menu where you get to enjoy a starter and a main dish for a fixed price, sometimes it even includes a dessert!
If you’re doing day trips, get some take-away empanadas or sandwiches. Most of the places you visit won’t have any shops or restaurants. Bring loads of water (more than you need, remember your at altitude in a desert) and enough snacks for at least a full day, in case your trip takes longer than expected.
Drone Photography in San Pedro de Atacama
If you’re bringing a drone, be aware that the regulations in Chile have become significantly stricter. The DJI no-fly zone map doesn’t always reflect the local rules on the ground, and many paid entry sites now prohibit drones entirely, including Piedras Rojas.
There are also practical challenges. Wind can be extreme at some locations. At higher altitudes, your drone will work harder, batteries drain faster in the cold, and performance changes noticeably above 3,000 meters. Always fly conservatively and bring spare batteries.
I got some drone footage at various spots, but don’t build your whole trip around it. Check the current rules for each location before you go, and if you’re on a tour, assume drones are not permitted unless explicitly told otherwise.
The Best Things to Do in San Pedro de Atacama
Here’s an honest overview of the main sites and experiences, based on what I actually visited during my time in San Pedro de Atacama. For those without their own transportation, I added the possibility to book the trip through GetYourGuide.
Valle de la Luna
This is the one you cannot skip. Valle de la Luna is a valley of sculpted salt and clay formations just minutes from town, and the sunset light here is extraordinary. The view from Mirador Likan-Antay is my personal favourite spot. You can walk into the valley a short distance and find a composition that feels entirely your own.
You can drive in independently during certain hours, or park at the side of the road for free and shoot from the viewpoints. At the roadside spots, you don’t pay any entrance fees. For those without a car, a sunset tour is easy to book and gets you there during the best light.
For the full breakdown of where to shoot, what time to arrive and exactly how to get there, head to my dedicated post on the best photography spots in San Pedro de Atacama.
Valle de la Luna
Less famous than the Rainbow Mountain in Peru, but genuinely impressive and far less crowded. About an hour’s drive from town, the valley is full of coloured rock formations in shades of ochre, red, purple and green. Most tour groups leave before 1pm, so going in the afternoon gives you the place almost entirely to yourself.
The entrance fee is around 5,000 pesos (approximately $6 USD), paid to a lady at the entrance. The road is manageable without four-wheel drive, though the last few kilometres are dirt. Bring a picnic, there’s no food available anywhere near the valley.
Piedras Rojas
This was the location that made me want to visit San Pedro in the first place. Red volcanic rock formations beside bright salt lagoons at 4,100 meters above sea level. It’s one of the furthest sites from town and one of the most dramatic.
A few important updates for 2026: the rocks are reportedly less intensely red than in earlier years due to salt accumulation, and drone flights are no longer permitted in the park. Worth going, but temper expectations slightly relative to older photos online.
You need to book a timed entry in advance at this website. A maximum of 100 people are allowed per time slot. On the day, register at the office in Socaire (a small town en route) one hour before your entry time. There’s no mobile signal there, so sort your tickets before you leave San Pedro. Entrance fee is 10,000 pesos (approximately $11 USD) per person.
Save this for day three or four of your trip. You really want your body to adjust to the altitude first, as it’s another 1,600 meters higher up than San Pedro de Atacama itself.
Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache
Seven hidden salt lagoons at the end of a 45km dirt road. Sounds good right? The road is genuinely rough and flat tires are common. I saw several abandoned tires along the route. You need a reliable car and a willingness to deal with the unexpected. I wrote a full article on my trip to these salt flats, so read on here if you plan to visit these (formerly) hidden salt flats of Baltinache.
The payoff is that you’ll likely have the place mostly to yourself. The most beautiful lagoon is the first one you reach, and there’s a small picnic area nearby. Swimming is no longer permitted in the lagoons as of recent regulations.
Alternative: If the dirt road sounds too risky, the Cejar Lagoon is easier to reach. It costs around 30,000 pesos ($35 USD) and is more crowded, but still worth seeing if you haven’t visited salt lagoons before.
The Magic Bus
An abandoned bus on the other side of Valle de la Luna. I visited at sunset and arrived at the same time as several tour groups, so the spot was busy. If you want it to yourself, go at sunrise. It’s one of the only major spots with no entrance fee. It’s also easy to combine with a trip to Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache, the spot mentioned above.
Getting there requires navigating a confusing dirt road. Google Maps will send you the wrong way. Download the Maps.Me app, get the offline map and use that instead. I learned this the hard way.
El Tatio Geysers
El Tatio is one of the highest geyser fields in the world, located around 4,500 meters above sea level. In the early morning, when temperatures are still well below freezing, the steam columns shoot up against the cold air and the light is extraordinary. It’s consistently one of the most recommended things to do in San Pedro, and the photos speak for themselves.
I didn’t go. Here’s why.
If you’re planning to do the 3-day Uyuni Salt Flats tour from San Pedro (yes, I wrote about that!), you’ll visit the Sol de Mañana Geysers in Bolivia on day one of that trip. Those sit at 5,000 meters, blast steam and sulphur straight out of the ground, and come with the added context of the surrounding altiplano landscape. Knowing I would still experience that, I decided to skip the El Tatio Geysers.
That said, if you’re not doing the Uyuni tour, El Tatio absolutely deserves a spot on your list. The tours leave very early, so you can make the most out of the rest of your day. It’s about 90 minutes from San Pedro and all tours include transport and a guide.
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Stargazing in the Atacama Desert
The Atacama has some of the clearest skies on earth. I did the organised stargazing tour and while the experience is professionally run, with telescopes, local snacks and stories about how the Incas read the stars, I wouldn’t do it again. Interesting once, but the stars themselves are visible for free from almost anywhere outside of town.
If you have a car, drive five minutes in any direction and you’ll see more stars than you’ve probably ever seen in your life. You don’t need to pay for that. That said, the tour does include a long-exposure photo of you with the Milky Way behind you, which is a decent memento if that matters to you.
Altitude in San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro sits at 2,400 meters. That’s comfortable for most people after a day or two of acclimatisation. The problems come when you head to higher sites: Rainbow Valley around 3,000 meters, Piedras Rojas at 4,100 meters, and the El Tatio Geysers at 4,500 meters. At these altitudes, even a short walk can leave you breathless.
The approach that works:
Start slow. Spend your first day in town. Walk around, eat well, drink more water than feels necessary. Don’t push yourself physically on day one. On day two, visit sites at a moderate altitude. Leave the high-altitude locations for later in your stay when your body has had time to adjust.
Coca tea is available all over San Pedro and it genuinely helps with mild altitude symptoms. Your accommodation will almost certainly have some. Take it seriously, it works.
If you’re particularly sensitive to altitude, speak to your doctor before travelling. Diamox is commonly prescribed as a preventative. At minimum, build in real acclimatisation time rather than arriving and immediately heading to 4,000 meters.
How Many Days Do You Need in San Pedro de Atacama?
The minimum to do the main sites justice is four days. If you want to do everything, including Piedras Rojas, Baltinache, the Valle de la Luna sunset, stargazing and Rainbow Valley, allow five to six days.
If you’re combining with the Uyuni tour from here, add three days for that and treat them as a separate block. The Uyuni tour is a full experience in itself.
A rough schedule that works:
- Day 1: Arrive, acclimatise, explore town
- Day 2: Rainbow Valley in the afternoon, Valle de la Luna at sunset
- Day 3: Baltinache Lagoons or Cejar in the morning, Magic Bus at sunset
- Day 4: El Tatio Geysers (very early start), recover in the afternoon
- Day 5: Piedras Rojas (save the highest altitude for last)
- Day 6 onwards: Uyuni Salt Flats tour if you’re continuing into Bolivia
Continuing to the Uyuni Salt Flats
After San Pedro, one of the best things you can do is continue directly to Bolivia on a 3-day overland tour to the Uyuni Salt Flats. The tour crosses the border, covers an enormous range of landscapes including coloured lakes, geysers, flamingo colonies and canyons, and drops you in Uyuni on day three.
This route covers ground you simply cannot reach independently without a 4WD and serious planning. It’s one of the most diverse multi-day tours I’ve done anywhere in the world.
I’ve written a full guide to the 3-day Uyuni Salt Flats tour from San Pedro de Atacama, covering the complete day-by-day itinerary, costs, what to pack, altitude, photography tips and a full FAQ. Read that if you’re planning to continue from here.
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Practical information
Currency: Chilean pesos. Cards are accepted in most restaurants and accommodation in town. Bring cash for entrance fees at remote sites and for tips.
Language: Spanish. English is spoken at most tourist-facing businesses in San Pedro, but less so at the remote sites and border areas. Basic knowledge of Spanish is helpful. It’s recommended to can download Spanish and English in your Google Translate beforehand.
Safety: San Pedro and the surrounding desert are very safe. There’s nothing specific to worry about beyond the usual travel awareness. The main risks are altitude-related, not security-related.
Best time to visit: Year-round, but December to February is summer in Chile and temperatures are milder. Nights are cold at any time of year. The shoulder months of September to November and March to April offer fewer crowds and similarly good conditions. It never rains. And if it does, you’re witnessing something unique. You should celebrate that!
Getting cash: There are ATMs in San Pedro. They do run out sometimes, so make sure you always have some cash at hand.
Frequently asked questions about San Pedro de Atacama and the Atacama Desert
Is San Pedro de Atacama worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely. The landscapes are extraordinary and there’s enough variety across a week to keep you genuinely engaged. It’s one of the most photogenic destinations in South America.
How many days should I spend in San Pedro de Atacama?
A minimum of four days to cover the highlights. Five to six gives you proper breathing room. If you’re combining with the Uyuni tour, add three days on top of that.
Is it expensive?
San Pedro is one of the pricier destinations in Chile. Tours add up quickly, and accommodation is higher than average. Budget around $80 to $120 USD per day for a comfortable mid-range experience including tours, accommodation and food.
Do I need a rental car?
If you’re travelling solo, tours are the most practical option. If you’re with two or more people, a rental car is better value and gives you far more freedom.
Is altitude a problem in San Pedro?
The town itself is manageable for most people after a day or two. The issue is the higher sites. Plan your itinerary to build up gradually and you’ll avoid most problems.
Can I fly a drone in San Pedro de Atacama?
In some locations, yes. At paid entry sites, usually no. Check each location’s current regulations before your visit and don’t assume that because it’s not listed as a no-fly zone that flying is permitted.
What's the internet like?
Weak. Buy a local SIM card before you arrive, or order an E-Sim online. Movistar network works well in town. Out on day trips and on the Uyuni tour, plan for no signal.
Can I combine San Pedro with the Uyuni Salt Flats?
Yes, and I highly recommend it. A 3-day overland tour crosses from San Pedro into Bolivia and ends in Uyuni. It covers some of the most dramatic scenery in South America en route. If you’re a US citizen, keep the extra visa costs in mind, currently $160 USD payable at the border. Read my full guide to the Uyuni tour for everything you need to know.
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About Me
Peter Orsel is a Dutch travel photographer based in Bali, specialized in drone and landscape photography. He has visited over 40 countries and writes detailed, no-nonsense guides based on firsthand experience.
24 Responses
Reading though your blog was an adventure worth taking. I loved the pics, top quality. Thanks.
Thanks, I appreciate that!
Great information! I’m visiting San Pedro de Atacama in November. I love road-trips and prefer renting my own car but as a female traveling solo in a country and continent I’ve never been to before, I’m a bit hesitant. Do you think there is a significant enough advantage of having my own rental car while there that you’d recommend it? I love the freedom and flexibility of being able to stop and wander whenever I want. I’m a frequent solo road-tripper in the U.S., did a solo road-trip in Ireland and several other road-trips with friends in other countries. Thank you!
Hi Becca, thank you so much! I understand you being hesitant, especially if it’s a new country and continent. Chile and especially San Pedro de Atacama are incredibly safe, so safety is something I won’t worry about. If you have the budget for it, I’d highly recommend the rental car. It will give you just that freedom to go anywhere you want. You don’t need to do a tour to go to rainbow valley or one of the salt flats, and you can beat crowds at certain spots! If you’re staying in hostels, big chance you can invite some people to tag along as well! I’m not the biggest fan of tours myself, so all of this was worth it for me to book the car myself. Let me know if you need any other recommendations and read my other articles on the Atacama Desert too! 😀
Hello and thank you for excellent article and tips. We’re planning to explore San Pedro de Atacama, the volcanoes and the desert and I’d like to hire a car from the company that would allow us to drive on the roads in the desert. As you pointed, not all car hire companies allow it. Do you know any names of the companies that allow it? Thank you so much.
Hey! Thanks a lot, so glad you like it! I don’t know the exact company that would allow it. Try to look for a 4WD, as they’re more likely to be accepted on dirt roads. Best way is to contact the rental agency directly and not through a booking agency, so you’ll speak to the right person immediately!
Did you do any star gazing? I also want to find flamingos. I hope to meet Argentine relatives here and plan to rent a car and travel independently since I don’t have a language problem. I think spring or fall might be more comfortable than December. Thoughts?
Hey, i did do stargazing! I actually wrote about it in my other post. Weather wise, you might be better off in spring or fall indeed if you want to avoid the heat. For me the heat wasn’t really a problem, as the altitude makes it feel colder. Just protect your skin from the sun, as it’s very bright and stronger because of the altitude.
Great Article Peter! I have read that the roads from the airport to San Pedro are rough and it is recommended to take a bus. Did you experience this? Would you consider the roads safe at night?
Hey! Sorry for my late reply. The roads to San Pedro are not rough at all. Safety is (from my experience) not a problem in and around San Pedro. The road is super straight forward and in super good (asphalt) condition. It gets worse when you go far to the tourist attractions like the Baltinache Lagoons or Rainbow Valley. These have dirt roads!
Hi Peter, We travel to Chile in the next couple days. Your blog has increased our anticipation of this trip tremendously. Now we are even more excited. And prepared!
I just found out I will have a Zoom meeting while we are in Atacama. We are staying at a Hotel (Noi Casa) which I think is in town. The listing says “limited WiFi”. I’m hoping that if I turn my Video off I will be able to get through the meeting. Any suggestions? And advice? Thanks in advance for anything.
Hey! Thanks for your message. Also saw your email, but for other readers, here’s my reply:
From my own experience, I can tell that I had a zoom call with my family from Jardin Meraki. The internet there was decent and was able to establish a video connection too. This place is a bit closer in the heart of the town than the hotel. So that could be a plan B. I’d say: do a test call with a friend or family member so you know what to expect to your real call!
Hey Peter!
Thank you for all the information. I am planning to visit the Uyuni flats from Calama but not sure if I do it myself as I am renting a car. Do you know anything about the Bolivian border crossing and if it’s possible to do it without an organized tour? Thanks again for your time!
Hi Nidhi, thanks for your message! I don’t think the car rental agencies will let you cross the border with a rental car. Usually it’s in the terms and conditions. Also, lots of the road will be off road, and you can literally be 50km away from a small town. One of our 2 cars in our tour had engine issues, and our driver had to drop us off first, later pick up the others. My friends arrived super late when we already finished dinner and were ready to sleep. Not to freak you out, more to warn you for potential risks if traveling by yourself in a car! Good luck with all the preparation, it’s so beautiful out there!
Hey Peter, if you see this, if I’m in town for one or two days (probably two days) which tours do you recommend? I realize I could google all the tours, but its hard to see which ones offer “different” content between all of them, since many tours incorporate some of the same sights, if that makes sense? If I did two seperate tours two seperate days, which ones would offer the most diverse and different scenery from each other that you’d recommend?
Hi Mike, thanks for your message! Depends if you go to see the Uyuni salt flats too. If you’re not going to Uyuni, I’d do this combination:
1. Visit El Tatio Geysers in the morning
2. Visit Valle de la Luna for sunset
3. On day 2: Visit Red Rocks / Pierdas Rojas
If you do go to Uyuni too, try to add swimming in the salt flats Cejar instead of Pierdas Rojas.
Hope this helps!
Hey Peter,
I’ll be visiting the atacama desert in a few weeks. Planning on renting a car and doing my own site seeing. Are there places to park and leave the car that are safe? Are there pubic parking areas at the popular sites?
Hi Andrew, I hope I’m still on time for replying to you! You can leave your car safe anywhere around San Pedro. I haven’t seen concerns on any car park, and even at the popular sites the parking has been arranged very properly. Dirt roads will be your biggest threat, but even that’s fine!
Hi Peter,
I like your blog with plenty of tips and practical advice, very interesting and easy to read.
We have a group of 7 adults (60s but fit) to visit San Pedro de Atacama and Uyuni first, then ride a bus to La Paz in the end February. We are planning to stay 3 nights each at both Atacama and Uyuni. We can’t anticipate how everyone will feel at an altitude above 3000m but hope everyone will be fine with something like Sorojchi pills.
According to our current plan, we shall have two full days in Atacama. Where will you recommend us to go to fully take this opportunity to see something unique and impressive in this area? Such a size of group, would you recommend us to rent two cars to tour by ourselves or to join a local tour? or do you think if we are able to find a private driver locally to take us to visit these places?
Why we are planning three nights in Uyuni is because we are scared that one visit to the Salt Flats may fail to see a perfect beauty of it. It is said that a perfect beauty is subject to a combination of a few various factors such as weather, cloud and water etc. , so more days make us more chances to visit it and increase our chance to see a perfect Salt Flat. Do you think it make sense? Do you think which time in a day is the best possible choice to see the best view of the Flat?
I know that there are tours like 3days2nights travelling from Atacama to Uyuni, but there are also buses directly from Atacama/Calama to Uyuni. Do you think it’s worthy joining a tour group to spend 3 days visiting difference places all the way up to Uyuni? It seems to me that most stopping places are with similar sceneries which can be seen in Atacama, aren’t they?
Finally, is your Movistar sim card bought in Chile workable in other South America countries such Pero, Bolivia, Argentia and Brazil?
Thanks for your time reading it and looking forward to hearing from you
Cheers/George
Hi George, thanks for taking the time to write this to me. What a great time ahead to travel with the 7 of you to San Pedro. If you have just 2 days, I’d recommend to go to the places that are unique to this area.
For San Pedro:
– Visit Valle de la Luna
– Visit Rainbow Valley
– Go Stargazing
You can do these things yourself as well by renting a car, but keep in mind that it’s best to pick up your car in Calama and drop it off there as well. The stargazing part can’t be done independently as they make it a full experience instead of just watching the stars, but of course you can always go and park the car and admire the stars.
On the way to Uyuni I would HIGHLY recommend the tour. You will see a big diversity of greens, canyons, and more. There’s so much beauty in between that you can’t see when you take the bus or a direct transfer. This tour is your best option, and booking through that link would help me too!!
During your Uyuni tour, you’ll spend around 6 to 7 hours on the salt flats. You get to see a lot, but an extra day or 2 won’t hurt! Besides that, Uyuni is a unique and charming little town with some great food options and local culture to see.
For the Movistar sim, I won’t recommend to use it in other countries. In Europe it’s all possible with the same Sim card these days, but unfortunately not in South America. A great option is using an eSIM. Airalo has great plans for almost every country. I recently started using eSIMs and it’s an absolute game changer! Keep in mind that internet coverage in both Atacama region as towards Uyuni is often not available. The best connection can be found in the towns.
If you have further questions, feel free to reach out to me by email: hello@peterorsel.com. There are some links in this message, and please note that you’d support me by using these. You don’t pay extra by using these.
Hope you have an amazing time ahead!
I woukd appreciate it if you have different recommendations for someone who is going to stay 6 months in Chile and wants to visit areas such as the Acatama Desert.
Thank you.
Hi! It’s hard for me to give recommendations for 6 months in Chile. I’ve only traveled as a tourist and didn’t spend more than 10 days in Chile. Hope you can find some great resources online!
Hello! Lovely article!
Did you rent a car and also pay for the guided tours you recommended? Is this still cheaper than finding an “all inclusive” tour (one that picks up and drops off at airport, includes accommodation)? What were the benefits that led you to choose doing it this way?
Thanks!
Hi! I did rent a car, and only did the stargazing tour. For all the other things, I arranged everything myself. You’ll save some money and get to see the places more relaxed, at your own pace. As soon as you have more than 2 people, it’s surely better value for money and more adventurous to discover the beautiful places yourself!