Things to Do in San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama sits at 2,400 meters in the world's driest desert—a dusty adobe outpost that launches you into landscapes so alien NASA tests Mars rovers here. This small town won't impress you at first. The narrow streets and low buildings look unremarkable, but they're your gateway to salt flats, dawn geysers, and night skies so clear the Milky Way casts shadows. Total transformation happened here. The sleepy desert settlement became a well-oiled adventure hub, though you'll still share pisco sours with fellow travelers under star-filled skies that feel impossibly close. The desert strips everything to basics—profound silence, raw landscapes, and the kind of extreme setting that puts your daily problems in sharp perspective.

The food scene punches above its weight for such a remote spot, with everything from Chilean basics to international fusion. Excellent quinoa dishes dominate menus. Llama meat tastes surprisingly tender, and Santiago flies in fresh ingredients at reasonable prices. International restaurants cater to travelers with vegetarian options and comfort foods, while local joints serve hearty portions for people burning calories in the desert. Try sopaipillas with pebre or traditional empanadas—most places stock coca tea for altitude issues.

Visit during March-May or September-November when temperatures stay moderate and crowds thin out. Summer brings intense daily heat but pleasant conditions if you handle extremes well. Winter offers clear skies and comfortable days. Nights drop below freezing though, so pack accordingly. Desert weather stays unpredictable regardless of season—temperature swings of 30°C between day and night happen year-round at this altitude.