Tourism in San Pedro de Atacama

Distance: 95 kilometers away from Calama
Main Activity: Tourism
This town is situated 95 kilometers from Atacama, it is considered the archaeological capital of Chile. It was the main center of the Atacama culture.

A colonial town formed by small and narrow streets.

It was declared an oasis by its residents and, in consequence, it is a popular site visited especially by foreigners.  It is also known as a site for spiritual development. You will still find there an important trace of the Atacama Culture whose customs are well preserved.

It is also interesting to visit: The church of San Pedro, The archeological Museum R.P Gustavo Le Paige S.J.

There is an extraordinary archaeological museum that was founded by the Welch anthropologist Priest Gustave Le Paige. In this museum, hundreds of mommies and pre Incan objects of incredible interest are exhibited.

It is recommendable to visit the thermal waters, the small lakes, the Lizor and Putana volcanic summits; as well as the populations of Caspana, Toconao, Chiu-Chiu and Lasana.

Tourist Attractions:

· San Pedro Church
· The Colonial Incan House
· Tulor and Catarpe Ruins
· Salar de Atacama
· Tatio Geysers
· Licancabur Volcano
· Ruins of Peine Viejo Chapel
· Valle de La Luna (Sanctuary of Nature)
· Pucará de Quitor

The Tatio Geysers

Géiseres del Tatio is placed 4,321 meters above the sea level. This geyser field is located about 95 km from the town of San Pedro and it is the highest in the world. Its name means “the old man who weeps”.

This is a field of steam vents, a geothermal field, created by the Tatio Volcano. It is enclosed by high peaks (6,000 meters and more). This place offers a unique spectacle of the Chilean desert, an obliged point for every tourist.

With the first light of the day, jets of hot steam burst from the boiling water beneath the vents. It is forbidden to approach closer as the mineral-rich ground surrounding the basins is unstable. This wonderful spectacle has its zenith between 04:30 and 7:00, early in the morning, when its streams easily reach 30 feet high.

HOW TO ARRIVE

ROUTES
- The main departure points to the route are from Calama and San Pedro de Atacama.
- Coming from the Republic of Argentina, through a pavement way, the International Route CH-27, San Pedro de Atacama-Jama. The height is 4,200 meters. SCHEDULE: 08:00 to 23:00 hours.

WAY CONDITIONS
• Calama - Chiu-Chiu (asphalt)
• Calama - San Pedro de Atacama (asphalt), others (debris)

TRANSPORT
• From Calama to San Pedro de Atacama, daily departures through interurban buses: the border bus Antofagasta 2041, telephone: 55-318543; Tour Bus, 3048 Grenadiers, telephone: 55 - 313535 and buses Atacama, 2106 Abaroa, telephone: 55 - 316664.
• From Calama to Chiu-Chiu, daily departures through buses from the community of Chiu-Chiu.
• Towards other localities, you can get information through tour operators from San Pedro de Atacama and Calama.


Aldea de Tulor (village)
It is located 12 km from San Pedro de Atacama.

It is considered the oldest vestige of an ancient village (it dates back between 800 b.C and 500 a.C.) miraculously conserved and covered by sand.
Only the 10% of the village was discovered by excavations carried out in 1982.

Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama

Casa de Don Tomas

This comfortable Hotel offers a magic architecture of the region.

Hotel Tulor

It is located few streets from downtown. This hotel combines the modern comfort with the rustic charm of the zone.