The Best Photography Spots of San Pedro de Atacama in Chile
- Last Updated:
- By: Peter Orsel
San Pedro de Atacama is, alongside Patagonia, one of the most famous destinations in Chile. However, what makes it stand out for photographers specifically is the sheer variety of landscapes within a relatively small area. Valle de la Luna, coloured rock formations, salt lagoons and one of the clearest night skies on earth are all within reach of a single base. These are the best photography spots of San Pedro de Atacama, based on my own visit spending Christmas here.
If you’re looking for a broader travel guide before diving into the photography side, head over to my San Pedro de Atacama Travel Guide first. It covers everything from how to get there to where to stay and how to get around. For the Uyuni Salt Flats, which make for a natural next stop after San Pedro, I’ve written a full guide to the 3-day Uyuni tour from San Pedro de Atacama as well.
In This Post
Valle de la Luna
Valle de la Luna is, without question, the spot you cannot skip. It’s located just minutes from town and, as a result, it’s the easiest of all the locations to reach. The valley is a surreal landscape of sculpted salt and clay formations that change dramatically depending on the light. Therefore, timing matters here more than almost anywhere else in the Atacama.
When to Go and Where to Stand
Sunset is the best time to visit. The light turns the formations golden and the shadows create depth across the valley floor that you simply don’t get at any other time of day. My personal favourite viewpoint is Mirador Likan-Antay, which you can find on Google Maps. From here, you can also walk a short distance into the valley itself and find your own composition.
Additionally, this is one of the few spots where you don’t need to pay an entrance fee if you position yourself at the roadside viewpoints. You can park along the road and shoot from there for free. However, if you want to walk deeper into the valley, you’ll need to enter the park during the permitted hours. Ask the staff at your accommodation about current opening times before you head out, as these change.
Getting There Without a Car
If you don’t have a rental car, a sunset tour to Valle de la Luna is easy to book and gets you there at exactly the right time. It’s one of the best value tours in San Pedro and, for most people without their own transport, it’s the most practical option.
Powered by GetYourGuide
Rainbow Valley / Valle del Arcoiris
Most people visiting South America have heard of Rainbow Mountain in Peru. However, Northern Chile has its own version and it’s far less crowded, yet still impressive.2 Rainbow Valley is located about an hour’s drive from San Pedro and features rock formations in shades of ochre, red, purple and green. The colours come from different mineral deposits in the rock, and the result is something that looks almost artificial.
The Best Time to Visit
Most tour groups arrive in the morning and leave before 1pm. As a result, going in the afternoon means you’ll often have the valley almost entirely to yourself. That said, the light in the afternoon can be harsh. Therefore, if you’re going independently by car, aim for a couple of hours before sunset to get the best combination of soft light and solitude.
How to get there?
Navigate to this location on Google Maps to find the entrance. The road is manageable without four-wheel drive, though the last few kilometres are dirt. On arrival, there’s a woman at the entrance who collects the entrance fee of around 5,000 pesos (approximately $6 USD). There are no shops or food stalls anywhere near the valley, so bring a packed lunch and more water than you think you need.
Visiting Rainbow Valey with a tour
Rainbow Valley isn’t as popular as some other locations, and that’s why it can be a bit harder to find a tour here. Without having a car, you can book your tour in advance through GetYourGuide. I visited the valley during the brightest light, and I still love the photos I got. Surely one of the best photography spots around San Pedro de Atacama!
Powered by GetYourGuide
Pierdas Rojas / Red Rocks
Piedras Rojas was the photograph that made me want to visit San Pedro de Atacama in the first place. Red volcanic rocks rising out of bright blue salt lagoons at an altitude of 4,100 meters. It sounds dramatic because it is. However, getting there takes planning, and there are a few important updates you need to know before you go.
2026 Update
Recent reports and photos suggest the rocks are less intensely red than they were a few years ago. Salt accumulation has changed the appearance somewhat. Moreover, drone flights are no longer permitted inside the park. That said, the landscape is still extraordinary and worth the effort. Just temper your expectations slightly if you’ve seen older photos online.
Preparing your trip to Pierdas Rojas
You need to reserve a timed entry slot in advance at socairechile.cl. A maximum of 100 people are allowed per time slot, so booking early is important. On the day of your visit, register at the office in the small town of Socaire one hour before your entry time. There is no mobile signal in Socaire, so sort your tickets before you leave San Pedro. The entrance fee is 10,000 pesos (approximately $11 USD) per person.
A lot of people combine this trip with the Lagunas Miscanti and Miñiques. I didn’t do this as I knew I would see many lagoons on the way to Uyuni. Besides that it’s another 10.000 pesos to spend.
If you decide to go, you also have to register in Socaire before you head there.
When to Go During Your Trip
Save Piedras Rojas for day four or five of your stay. Because of the altitude, going earlier before your body has adjusted is a mistake you’ll feel immediately. Additionally, combining the trip with the Lagunas Miscanti and Miñiques is possible, though it adds another 10,000 pesos per person. I skipped those as I knew I’d see lagoons on the Uyuni tour. That’s a personal call depending on your itinerary.
Book a tour
If you don’t have a car or if you’d rather visit Pierdas Rojas on a tour, GetYourGuide has your back! This trip includes the other lagoons too, so you’ll get to experience all the best photo spots in this area of the Atacama Desert!
Powered by GetYourGuide
Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache
If you’ve never visited a salt lagoon before, Baltinache is the place to do it. Seven hidden lagoons sit at the end of a 45km dirt road, and the most beautiful one is the first you reach on arrival. Because the road is so rough, most people don’t make it out here, which means you’ll likely have the place largely to yourself.
How to get to the Baltinache Salt Flats?
This is not a casual drive. Flat tires are common and you’ll see abandoned tires along the route. If you get stuck halfway, you’re a long way from help. Therefore, only attempt this in a reliable car and let someone know where you’re going. I would not recommend it in a small hatchback.
For the full breakdown of how to get there, what to expect at the lagoons and how to prepare the drive, I’ve written a dedicated guide to visiting the Baltinache Lagoons.
Alternative: Visit the Cejar Lagoon
If the dirt road sounds too risky, Cejar Lagoon is an easier alternative. It costs around 30,000 pesos ($35 USD) to enter and is more crowded. However, the water is reportedly less intensely blue than Baltinache. It’s still worth seeing, particularly if you haven’t visited a salt lagoon before.
Swimming in the salt flats around San Pedro de Atacama
Note that swimming is no longer permitted at the Baltinache Lagoons. Check the current situation at Cejar before you visit, as regulations in this area have changed multiple times in recent years.
Book a tour
Without a car, you can book both Baltinache as Cejar through a tour as well. Here are your options! The tour to the Baltinache Lagoons will also include a stop at the Magic Bus. This is the next location I recommend as one of the best photography spots in San Pedro de Atacama!
Powered by GetYourGuide
Magic Bus
The Magic Bus is an abandoned bus sitting in the desert on the far side of Valle de la Luna. It’s a distinctive subject and, moreover, the surrounding landscape is equally photogenic. Don’t be too fixated on the bus itself. Some of the better shots come from the broader environment around it.
When to visit for the best photos?
I visited at sunset and arrived at the same time as several tour groups. As a result, the spot was busy. If you want it to yourself, go at sunrise instead. It’s one of the only major spots in the area with no entrance fee, and at sunrise you’ll almost certainly have it alone.
How to get to the magic bus?
Navigation to the Magic Bus is genuinely confusing. Google Maps will send you the wrong way and you’ll end up at a dead end. I know this from experience. Instead, download the Maps.Me app, get the offline map for the region and navigate using that. The road condition is rough, so if you’re not comfortable on bad dirt tracks, this one might be worth skipping.
Stargazing in the Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert has some of the clearest skies on earth, with minimal light pollution across a vast area. As a result, the stargazing here is unlike almost anywhere else you’ll visit. However, my honest take on the organised stargazing tour is mixed.
My honest opinion about the stargazing tour in the Atacama Desert
I did the tour and I wouldn’t do it again. The experience is professionally run, with telescopes, local snacks and stories about how the Incas interpreted the stars. That said, the stars themselves are visible for free from almost anywhere outside of town. If you have a car, drive five minutes in any direction, stop and look up. You don’t need to pay for that.
When the Stargazing tour is worth it
The organised tour does include one thing that’s hard to replicate independently: a long-exposure photo of you with the Milky Way visible behind you. For some people, that’s worth the cost. Additionally, if you don’t have a car, the tour gets you away from the light pollution of town, which does make a noticeable difference. In that case, it’s the practical option.
Powered by GetYourGuide
Shooting the Night Sky Independently
If you have a car and a camera that handles high ISO well, drive out towards Valle de la Luna or along the road toward Calama and find a dark spot away from town. The sky you’ll see is extraordinary. A wide angle lens (somewhere between 14 and 24mm) with a high aperture (f/2.8 or a lower number), and a strong tripod are all you need. Bring warm layers because the temperature drops fast after sunset.
Always choose a subject before shooting your night sky shots, even though you hardly see it with your own eyes. It will contribute to your photo.
For the best photos, start with these settings and adjust accordingly. Too dark? Put the ISO on 1600 and make your shutter speed longer. Too bright? Put the ISO to 800 and make your shutter speed a bit slower.
- Aperture: Highest possible (< f/2.8)
- ISO: 800-1600
- Shutter speed: 5 seconds
- White balance: Automatic
Gear and Practical Notes for Photographers
A few things worth knowing before you arrive with your camera.
Drone Regulations
Chile has become significantly stricter on drones in recent years. Many paid entry sites, including Piedras Rojas, now prohibit drone flights entirely. Moreover, the DJI no-fly zone map doesn’t always reflect the actual local rules on the ground. Therefore, check each location before you go and don’t assume that it’s permitted just because it isn’t flagged in the app. On tours, assume drones are not allowed unless explicitly told otherwise.
There are also practical challenges. Wind is strong at several locations and, at higher altitudes, your drone works harder and batteries drain faster in the cold. Performance changes noticeably above 3,000 meters.
Altitude and your schedule
Several of the best photography spots are at serious altitude. Rainbow Valley sits at around 3,000 meters, Piedras Rojas at 4,100 meters and El Tatio Geysers at 4,500 meters. As a result, plan your itinerary to build up gradually. Start with Valle de la Luna and Rainbow Valley in the first couple of days. Save Piedras Rojas for later in your stay when your body has had time to adjust.
Lens recommendations
For the Atacama, a wide angle in the 16-35mm range is the most useful focal length. However, a 70-200mm is valuable for compressing the scale of distant volcanoes and for isolating detail in the rock formations. I wouldn’t leave one behind if I had the bag space.
For everything else you need to plan your trip, head to the San Pedro de Atacama Travel Guide. And if you’re continuing to Bolivia after San Pedro, read the complete guide to the 3-day Uyuni Salt Flats tour.
Share the best photography spots to Pinterest
More about South America
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.
11 Responses
I would love to know, what sort of time were you at Pierdas Rojas to get good lighting. It’s one of my number one photography spots to travel to.
Hi Hannah, thanks for your reply. This was one of my priorities too! I would say, go for the earliest time slot. That would be entry at 9, while check in at Socaire can be done from 8am onwards. It’s a protected area, which (I think) makes it impossible to go during sunrise or sunset. The tour groups usually arrive around 10 onwards, so to beat the crowds I’d say 9am!
Hey Hannah, just wanted to let you know I was at Piedras Rojas 2 days ago and it doesn’t look as captivating as it does when Peter was there sadly! The rocks have turned white now due to the salt and the salt flats have dried up a lot, so the water doesn’t get as close to the rocks anymore. It’s too bad we can’t fly the drone anywhere that Peter captured anymore! They’re banned at every place you would have to pay an entrance fee for. These places can still be beautiful to capture from the ground of course! But note that some of the salt pools are closed for swimming now too. It’s important to get in touch with a local before making the drive to Cejar or Baltinache!
Peter, great info man! Question please, i am going to Atacama and Patagonia (trekking). How did you think about photo gear for your trip? Lenses, tripod, etc… any insights greatly appreciated!!!!
Hi Jay, thanks for your comment! For Atacama, you can bring any gear as there’s not a lot of hiking involved. You will mainly put your stuff in your car or bring it on day trips on a tour. There’s more hiking and trekking involved in Patagonia of course. Even though I haven’t been, I think I would go for my 16-35 2.8 GM and 70-200 F4. I usually don’t take too many photos in the range between 35 and 70mm. As a tripod, I would look for a lightweight alternative (maybe a tiny one!) as you don’t want to hike with your tripod on your back for a couple of days.
Hi Peter,
great article & photos!
You mentioned you wouldn’t do the star gazing tour again. Do you know about a good place to go that we can reach by car by ourself to stargaze?
Hi Charly, thanks for your comment and your kind words! I’d say drive towards the sunset spots I mentioned for Valle de la Luna. But honestly, drive 1km out of town (in any direction) and you’ll be amazed by the amount of stars you see. Without a tour you obviously don’t get too watch through the telescope, but you’ll be amazed by the amount of stars! Have fun in San Pedro!
Hi Peter,
Your blog posts quelled many of my fears and answered my questions about travel to Atacama. I appreciate the 2024 updates (lagoon closures and red rock changes).
My biggest unknown and concern, the altitude. I understand everyone is unique in their own tolerance but were there any issues with altitude sickness in the dessert or specifically at Pierdas Rojas? Any issues with your fellow travellers?
Hi Nadia, I’m so glad it helped you and sorry for my late reply! Atacama is a beautiful and safe destination, but we always gotta be aware of the changes happening everywhere! I would say, plan your activities according to the altitude. Start with some acclimatisation in San Pedro, then do some 3K meter activities, and do things like Pierdas Rojas which is at 3900 on one of your last days. Take it easy, take naps and drink enough water, and you should be fine! Have the best time. 🙂
Are there any sunset spots at/near town where you can walk to that you can recommend ?
Hey! To walk would really be too far. Gonna take you at least one hour to walk to a nice spot. Some places do rent out bicycles, so you could try to rent a bike and drive a bit further on the road towards Calama to find a nice spot!