MONEY EXCHANGE

You can find  currency exchange offices in Toconao road with Caracoles. However, for better exchange rates, we recommend you convert your money in Santiago.

To find the exchange rate in Chile, visit the Central Bank of Chile’s website.

ATMs

When visiting San Pedro de Atacama, you will find that most tourist agencies, shops and restaurants only receive cash. There are four ATMs in the village, so make sure you bring enough cash for the trip and withdraw money before reaching the village, e.g. at ATMs located within the Calama El Loa Airport.

ATMs in San Pedro de Atacama

  • Salcobrand Pharmacy (BCI): Caracoles 241, Tocopilla intersection.
  • Cruz Verde Pharmacy (BCI): Caracoles 359, Toconao intersection.
  • BCI Bank: Vilama 425-D, Caracoles intersection (Business hours: Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 2 pm).
  • Banco Estado: Gustavo Le Paige, in front of ex Museo Arqueológico (Business hours: Thursdays, from 1 pm to 5 pm)

WEATHER

Whether you visit San Pedro de Atacama during winter or summer, you must bring a good sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses with UV filter and a bottle of water to stay hydrated. Why? Because you will be exposed to a very strong UV radiation, therefore protection is essential.

In San Pedro de Atacama, you will enjoy sunny days almost year-round. Located 2,400 meters above sea level, the weather in this village is mild and dry. However, remember that temperatures tend to lower at higher elevations.

Weather in San Pedro de Atacama

Next 24 Hours

Partly cloudy
now

9.7ºC
19%

Northwest
7 km/h

Partly cloudy
2:00

8.2ºC
21%

Northwest
5 km/h

Partly cloudy
3:00

6.7ºC
23%

Northwest
4 km/h

Fair
4:00

6.8ºC
22%

Northwest
3 km/h

Clear
5:00

6.9ºC
23%

Northwest
5 km/h

Clear
6:00

7ºC
23%

West
4 km/h

Clear
7:00

9.1ºC
19%

Northwest
4 km/h

Clear
8:00

11.2ºC
17%

Northwest
3 km/h

Clear
9:00

13.3ºC
15%

Northwest
4 km/h

Clear
10:00

15.7ºC
12%

Southwest
2 km/h

Clear
11:00

18.1ºC
10%

South
5 km/h

Clear
12:00

20.4ºC
8%

Southwest
7 km/h

Clear
13:00

22.1ºC
7%

Southwest
9 km/h

Clear
14:00

23.7ºC
6%

South
10 km/h

Clear
15:00

25.3ºC
5%

Southwest
11 km/h

Clear
16:00

26ºC
5%

Southwest
10 km/h

Clear
17:00

26.7ºC
5%

Southwest
10 km/h

Clear
18:00

27.4ºC
5%

Southwest
13 km/h

Clear
19:00

24.7ºC
7%

Southwest
17 km/h

Clear
20:00

22ºC
8%

Southwest
18 km/h

Clear
21:00

19.4ºC
10%

Northwest
8 km/h

Clear
22:00

16.8ºC
12%

Northwest
7 km/h

Clear
23:00

14.3ºC
15%

Northwest
9 km/h

Clear
0:00

11.8ºC
18%

West
7 km/h

Clear
1:00

10.4ºC
20%

Northwest
4 km/h

Next Days

Clear
today

27.4ºC
6.7ºC
13%

Southwest
18 km/h

Clear
tomorrow

26.8ºC
7.7ºC
12%

Southwest
19 km/h

Clear
Sat
18 Oct

27.9ºC
8.1ºC
11%

Southwest
21 km/h

Clear
Sun
19 Oct

27.2ºC
7.1ºC
13%

Southwest
19 km/h

Clear
Mon
20 Oct

26.5ºC
7.5ºC
11%

Southwest
24 km/h

Clear
Tue
21 Oct

25.7ºC
7.5ºC
10%

Southwest
23 km/h

Partly cloudy
Wed
22 Oct

26.8ºC
9.1ºC
12%

Southwest
21 km/h

Fall – winter season

From April to September, temperature in San Pedro de Atacama ranges between 9 ° C and approximately 24 ° C. It is a season of clear skies, total lack of rain and colder nights due to thermal oscillation. It is an ideal season for those who want to avoid crowds and get better rates.

Spring – Summer Season

From October to March – high season in San Pedro de Atacama-  temperature ranges between 13ºC and  25ºC, with highs of 32 ° C. A season with hot days and occasional rainfall due to the Bolivian Winter phenomenon (January-April). Highlights of the season: Fiesta de la Candelaria ( January 31 to February 3) and Santo Carnival (seven weeks before Easter).

WHAT TO WEAR

What to bring to San Pedro de Atacama? Well, everything! Regardless of the season, you can feel cold and hot on the same day, especially if you are visiting nearby attractions or  taking tours early in the morning or in the evening.

Keep in mind that in tourist spots such as El Tatio geysers or some highland lakes, temperatures can reach below zero, so it is recommended to dress in layers and also wear hat, gloves and comfortable shoes. Tourists who choose to bathe in the natural hot springs, should bring swimsuit, sandals and a towel.

Those who venture into the desert or the salar, must wear pants to avoid the discomfort of sand in contact with the skin when facing wind gusts. Therefore, you should also bring a windbreaker.

If you consider visiting Puritama hot springs during your journey to Quebrada de Guatin, don’t forget to bring your bathing suit, towel and sandals.

As mentioned , always remember to wear a hat (hopefully one that can tie to your neck), sunglasses, sunscreen and bottled water. San Pedro de Atacama is one of the areas with the highest ultraviolet radiation in Chile.

Basic garments

  • Coats
  • Pullover
  • Windbreaker
  • Shorts
  • Hat / Cap
  • Thermal hat
  • Sneakers
  • Swimsuit
  • Sunscreen
  • Towel
  • Flip – flops

GAS

In Toconao street you will find the only gas station in San Pedro de Atacama. which belongs to Copec company. You won’t find gas stations between Calama (airport) and San Pedro de Atacama, and on the roads to other tourist attractions such as Chaxa and Cejar lagoons. Therefore, it is very important to fill up the tank before touring the area.