Day Trips from San Pedro De Atacama. Excursions, Nearby Cities, Tours

Nearby Destinations

Several locations are easily accessible for a day trip from San Pedro.

Puritama Hot Springs: About 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) north of San Pedro. Organized tours, often half-day and combined with other sites, are available. Private transfers or rental cars are also options.

Puritama Hot Springs Details

Organized tours include entrance fees and guaranteed access, which is helpful given pre-booking requirements.
Independent travel with a rental car has flexibility.
Time needed: Half-day, about 4-5 hours including travel.
Enjoy the natural thermal waters for relaxation.

Natural Escapes

The Atacama Desert is rich in natural wonders.

Catarpe Valley & Pukará de Quitor

Very close to San Pedro, a few kilometers north.

Transportation Options

Bicycle rental is the most popular way to visit.
Walking or taking a taxi are other choices.
Some tours include this area.

Cejar Lagoon / Ojos del Salar

South of San Pedro, in the Salar de Atacama.

Visit Specifics

Accessible via a half-day afternoon tour.
An option to visit with a rental car.
Time needed: Half-day, about 4-5 hours including travel.

Natural Wonders & Remote Sites

Major Natural Sites

El Tatio Geysers: Requires very early morning departure to see active geysers at sunrise. (See section 8.1 for more details)
Lagunas Altiplánicas & Salar de Atacama: Part of a full-day tour. (See section 8.1 for more details)
Valle del Arcoíris (Rainbow Valley): Features colorful geological formations. Requires a specific tour or 4x4 rental. (See section 8.5 for more details)
Salar de Tara: Remote, high-altitude salt flat. Requires specialized full-day 4x4 tour. (See section 8.5 for more details)

Important Considerations

Altitude acclimatization: Allow 1-2 days in San Pedro before high-altitude tours.
Tour booking: Book tours in advance, especially during peak season.
What to bring: Water, sunscreen, hat, and layers for temperature changes.
Vehicle needs: Some remote areas need 4x4 vehicles.

General Excursion Information

Guide necessity:Many tours call for a certified guide for safety and regulation adherence.
Safety briefings:Always attend tour operator safety briefings.
Leave no trace:Stay on marked trails and do not disturb wildlife.
Booking convenience:Consider booking experiences on GetYourGuide for a streamlined process.

Explore options:Various tours cater to different interests and timeframes.
Broad experience:Multi-day extensions broaden your experience of the Andean region.
Connect cultures:Extend your journey to connect with diverse landscapes and cultures.
For more tours:Find additional bookable experiences on GetYourGuide Day Trips.

Plan Your Day Trips

Exploring the Atacama region is best achieved with planned excursions.

Cultural Excursions

Explore the local culture beyond San Pedro town.

Traditional Andean Villages

Small, traditional Andean villages often visited as part of tours to Salar de Atacama or Lagunas Altiplánicas. Provides insights into local life, adobe architecture, and artisan crafts. Machuca is known for its llama skewers.

Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs

An archaeological site with ancient rock art. Carvings depict animals, human figures, and geometric patterns. Often combined with a tour to Rainbow Valley or other nearby sites.

Cultural Immersion

Engage respectfully with locals, support artisan shops, and learn about traditional adobe building and regional foods. Asking permission for photos and using basic Spanish enhance interactions.

Village Visit Details

These villages offer unique cultural insights.

Access & Experiences

Typically visited as part of organized tours.
Offers local artisan crafts for purchase.
Taste local specialties like llama skewers in Machuca.

Petroglyphs Insights

Discover ancient rock art.

Site Specifics

Often combined with tours to Rainbow Valley.
Explore ancient art and history carved into rocks.
An outdoor site suited for quiet contemplation.

Important Cultural Sites

Pukará de Quitor:Ancient pre-Incan fortress.

Aldea de Tulor:One of the oldest archaeological sites in the Atacama.

R.P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum:Contains artifacts from regional cultures.

Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs:Ancient rock art site.

Machuca Village:Known for its traditional llama skewers.

Toconao Village:Features unique white volcanic stone architecture.

Local Cultural Interactions

Learning basic Spanish phrases shows respect and opens doors to genuine connections.
Supporting local artisans and businesses directly benefits the community.
Approach cultural sites with respect and be mindful of local customs.
Asking permission before photographing people, especially children, is a good practice.

Multi-Day Extensions

For those with more time, consider extending your journey beyond San Pedro.

Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia

A popular extension from San Pedro de Atacama.

Tour & Travel Insights

Typically a 3-day/2-night or 4-day/3-night tour exploring stunning landscapes.
The tour explores colorful lagoons and the vast salt flats of Bolivia.
Tours include 4x4 vehicles for the entire duration, handling border crossings.

Argentina Jujuy/Salta

Extend your journey across the Andes.

Overland Travel Tips

Travel overland via Paso Jama to explore Jujuy's multi-colored mountains (Purmamarca, Humahuaca).
Visit the colonial city of Salta.
Long-distance buses operate this route; private transfers are also possible.

Other Northern Chile Destinations

Discover more of Chile's diverse north.

Inland & Coastal Options

Valle de Copiapó / Atacama Region: Known for the "Flowering Desert" (Desierto Florido) phenomenon.
This rare event occurs after heavy rains, typically in September or October, where the desert blooms with wildflowers.
Coast (Antofagasta, Iquique): Coastal cities with different desert landscapes, beaches, and port activities.

Connecting Journeys

Integrate San Pedro into a larger travel plan.

Regional Travel Routes

Suggested routes: These journeys can form part of a larger Andean circuit.
From Uyuni, travelers can continue to La Paz or Sucre in Bolivia.
Coastal cities are reachable by bus from Calama.

Consider Multi-Day Adventures

Expanding your trip beyond San Pedro opens up further exploration of the Andean region.

Explore Bolivia

Journey to the Uyuni Salt Flats for a surreal experience.

Discover Argentina

Venture to Jujuy and Salta for colorful mountains and colonial charm.

Northern Chile

Head south to Copiapó or west to coastal cities like Antofagasta.

Seamless Regional Travel

Multi-day extensions offer a broader experience of the Andean region, connecting diverse landscapes and cultures. Find more options and book with ease on GetYourGuide.

Day Trips from San Pedro De Atacama