Town in Antofagasta, Chile
San Pedro de Atacama
A dusty adobe town at 2,400 m that serves as the base for Atacama's geysers, lagoons and stargazing. Expensive, tour-driven and cold at night; altitude and long transfers from the airport are the trade-offs.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,430–2,240Comfortable, one person · $1.4M–2.2MDetails
- Value for money62/100Better value than 61% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–May, Sep–NovWarmest: Jan, 29°CDetails
- Internet364 MbpsFixed broadband, Chile medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledLocal water is high in minerals and arsenic traces; drink bottled or filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$36–71Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundWalkingVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards accepted at hotels and many restaurants; cash needed for park fees, small shops and some tour agencies.Details
Where to stay in San Pedro de Atacama
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Town center (Caracoles Street) | First-timers: tours, restaurants, walkable and noisy |
| Calle Toconao area | Quieter guesthouses a few blocks from the main street |
| Ayllú de Solor and Quitor | Rural stays near ruins; need a bike or car |
Apps that work in San Pedro de Atacama
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Recorrido.cl: Compare and buy intercity bus tickets
- Taxis: No ride apps. Taxis wait on the main square; fixed prices for outlying sites. Book transfers through your hotel.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Chile.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards accepted at hotels and many restaurants; cash needed for park fees, small shops and some tour agencies.
- Currency: Peso (CLP). US$1 ≈ $982.01 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs charge foreign cards a fixed fee per withdrawal and cap amounts fairly low.
- Tipping: Restaurants suggest a voluntary 10% tip; the server or card machine asks if you want it included. Taxis aren't tipped.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted at almost all contactless terminals.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Declare all food, plant and animal products on the SAG form; undeclared fruit or meat brings heavy fines.
- Entry generates a digital tourist card; keep it, as hotels ask for it with your passport to waive 19% VAT.
Emergency numbers
Police 133 · Ambulance 131 · Fire 132
Plugs
Type C, L · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid chips from Entel, Movistar, WOM or Claro are sold in carrier shops and kiosks for a few thousand pesos; register with your passport. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Chile
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.