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

16.6ºC
31%

Northwest
11 km/h

Partly cloudy
0:00

15.1ºC
35%

Northwest
9 km/h

Partly cloudy
1:00

13.8ºC
39%

Northwest
8 km/h

Mostly cloudy
2:00

12.5ºC
42%

Northwest
4 km/h

Partly cloudy
3:00

11.2ºC
45%

Southwest
3 km/h

Partly cloudy
4:00

10.9ºC
46%

Southwest
5 km/h

Partly cloudy
5:00

10.5ºC
45%

Southwest
5 km/h

Partly cloudy
6:00

10.2ºC
45%

South
5 km/h

Partly cloudy
7:00

11.8ºC
40%

South
3 km/h

Mostly cloudy
8:00

13.3ºC
37%

Northeast
1 km/h

Partly cloudy
9:00

14.8ºC
34%

East
2 km/h

Partly cloudy
10:00

16.5ºC
31%

Southeast
5 km/h

Fair
11:00

18.3ºC
27%

South
6 km/h

Partly cloudy
12:00

20.1ºC
24%

Southwest
9 km/h

Fair
13:00

21.8ºC
20%

Southwest
11 km/h

Clear
14:00

23.6ºC
17%

South
11 km/h

Fair
15:00

25.3ºC
15%

Southwest
11 km/h

Clear
16:00

25.7ºC
14%

Southwest
13 km/h

Clear
17:00

26.2ºC
13%

South
17 km/h

Clear
18:00

26.5ºC
12%

South
21 km/h

Clear
19:00

24ºC
14%

Southwest
25 km/h

Clear
20:00

21.5ºC
16%

Southwest
26 km/h

Clear
21:00

18.9ºC
20%

Northwest
20 km/h

Clear
22:00

17.4ºC
24%

Northwest
12 km/h

Clear
23:00

15.8ºC
28%

Northwest
9 km/h

Next Days

Clear
today

27.2ºC
8.9ºC
21%

Southwest
28 km/h

Partly cloudy
tomorrow

26.5ºC
10.2ºC
28%

Southwest
26 km/h

Partly cloudy
Sat
4 Jan

26.1ºC
9.8ºC
28%

West
21 km/h

Mostly cloudy
Sun
5 Jan

26.8ºC
12.9ºC
24%

West
20 km/h

Mostly cloudy
Mon
6 Jan

26.4ºC
11.5ºC
28%

West
37 km/h

Clear
Tue
7 Jan

26.5ºC
10.3ºC
25%

West
38 km/h

Mostly cloudy
Wed
8 Jan

26.3ºC
11.8ºC
24%

Southwest
30 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.