San Pedro de Atacama: The 10 Must-See Places You Can’t Miss

What to see in San Pedro de Atacama?

If you’re planning your trip, this guide is for you. At SanPedroAtacama.com, we value those places that move us, surprise us, and connect us with the history and beauty of the desert. That’s why we’ve selected the 10 must-see spots you shouldn’t leave out of your itinerary.

From otherworldly landscapes to natural hot springs and unique archaeological sites, we bring you the best of San Pedro—with real, up-to-date recommendations to make your trip truly unforgettable.

Valle de la Luna – Moon Valley

Just 13 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama, the Valley of the Moon stuns with its surreal landscape of salt, sand, and stone formations sculpted by wind and time. It’s one of the most iconic must-see spots in the desert.

Favorite

Tatio Geyser

Located at 4,200 meters above sea level and 89 km from San Pedro, the Tatio Geysers offer a spectacular natural show at sunrise.

Favorite

Cejar Lagoon

Located 28 km from San Pedro, in the heart of the Atacama Salt Flat, this turquoise-blue lagoon is known for its high salt concentration, allowing you to float effortlessly.

Favorite

Tebenquiche Lagoon

It is a lagoon that is mostly dry, but its morphology is not what one would expect it to be dirt, mud and rocks

Favorite

Miscanti and Miñiques Lakes

Over 4,100 meters above sea level and about 2 hours from San Pedro, these deep blue lagoons lie among the towering volcanoes of the Andes.

Favorite

Piedras Rojas (Red Stones) Viewpoint

Located 160 km from San Pedro, near the Sico Pass, the Piedras Rojas viewpoint dazzles with its copper-colored volcanic rocks and breathtaking views of highland lagoons like Aguas Calientes and Tuyajto.

Favorite

Chaxa Lagoon

We arrive past 3 pm, wearing a hat, sunglasses and lots of sunscreen, following the instructions of our guide Marcelo in order to avoid the high temperatures recorded in Chaxa Lagoon.

Favorite

Rainbow Valley

About 90 kilometers from San Pedro, in the Río Grande area, the Rainbow Valley surprises with its vividly colored ground—greens, reds, whites, yellows, and grays—created by a mix of minerals.

Favorite

Yerbas Buenas and Petroglifos

Located 70 kilometers from San Pedro, this archaeological site is one of the most significant in northern Chile.

Favorite

Puritama Spring Waters and Quebrada de Guatin

Located 30 kilometers from San Pedro and at over 3,500 meters above sea level, the Puritama Hot Springs offer the perfect break with natural pools of 30°C thermal waters, surrounded by canyons and native vegetation.

Favorite

Ideas for every interest

Plan with real information, travel with experts. This guide is the result of years of exploring the destination. If our information has inspired you, we invite you to book your services with us. You'll not only be supporting this informative project, but you'll also have the backing of a team with direct contacts at the destination, ready to answer your questions and personalize your experience.