We can say that the little village of San Pedro is the only civilization hub you will find during your trip to the Atacama Desert. That’s why it is also considered the gateway to the desert. San Pedro de Atacama is an attraction itself because wandering the streets of Santiago is like traveling through time… the “streets” are just a way of speaking. The truth is that there is only one main street in San Pedro, the Caracoles street which concentrates all the activity in the village. 

What to do in San Pedro? 

• Visit the craft market in Caracoles st.
• Eat a corn base cake in any of the picturesque restaurants.
• Go stargazing! This is very important; the Atacama Desert boasts the clearest skies on Earth.

This is the famous first tour everybody takes once in the Atacama Desert. It is really a jaw-dropping place, where strange clay and salt formations assault the eyes right away. Plus, it will be your first step deep into the desert which is what you have been waiting for! 

What to do in Moon Valley? 

• Visit the Salt Caves and find the salt gemstones. 
• See the sun setting over the Licancabur Volcano.
• Enjoy by taking pictures of the Martian landscape.

Entrance fee: 12 USD. This fee can only be paid in the equivalent of local currency in cash.

This high-altitude geothermal field is waiting for you to relax in one of the strangest landscapes on Earth. If you ever wonder what it felt like to walk the dinosaurs’ kingdom just take a look at the smoking crevices and you’ll soon get the picture. In Geysers del Tatio there are a total of 70 hot springs and 40 geysers. 

What to do in Tatio Geysers? 

• Take a relaxing bath in the rich mineral waters of the hot springs.
• Enjoy a complete breakfast watching the geysers (visits usually start at 4 am to catch the best sunlight in the fields).

Entrance fee: 18 USD. This fee can only be paid in the equivalent of local currency in cash.

You can visit Machuca the same day you explore Geysers del Tatio. In fact, Machuca completes a full-day journey of discoveries. Wonder the 20-house village and get closer to the atacameño culture, the mountaineers of the area. They are very religious and pray every day in the only church in town. 

What to do in Machuca? 

• Visit the craft market and buy souvenirs you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, with your purchase, you will be helping the community which lives exclusively on tourism. 
• Visit the church and learn about the cult of the Virgin. 
• Observe the tiny adobe houses and talk with locals. 

It is really easy to travel from San Pedro de Atacama to the little town of Uyuni in Bolivia. Most travelers enchain both trips since the Atacama Desert and Uyuni Salt Flats are both wild destinations. Consequently, it is less probable you will return to the region soon. However, this adventure trip is one of the most recommended by real wanderlusters. Uyuni Bolivia Salt Flats are the main attraction of a whole region full of things to see. However, salt flats are the most famous. This white solid ocean is the biggest salt flat on Earth. Once there, looking at the horizon, you won’t see the end of the glimmering white surface.

What to do in Uyuni Bolivia Salt Flats?

• Travel deep into the salt flats to reach Isla Incahuasi at sunrise. 
• Visit the “eyes of the salt flats”, two perfectly shaped water mirrors.
• Buy handcraft art at Colchani town.
• Explore the “train cemetery”. 

Entrance fee: 25 USD.

It is amazing to find in these arid landscapes so much water, and of different colors. During your visit to the high plains, you will enjoy the spectacular Green and White Lagoons views, backdropped by the Licancabur Volcano. Wildlife can also be usually found in the area! The Lagoon circuits includes also a visit to the Dali Desert and the Sol de Mañana Geysers.

What to do in Bolivia’s high plain lagoons? 

• Take a bath in the geysers, called the “foreign soup” by locals.
• See the surrealistic sculptures of the Dalí Desert carved by time and wind.
• Spot pink flamingos and guanacos (llamas) at Colorada Lagoon. 

Not just a fancy name… in this hotel where you can stay for the night, furniture is literally made up of salt. There is not much to say really, just stepping into this hotel is an amazing and unique experience.

What to do in the Salt Hotel?

• Rest and relax in one of the quietest places on Earth. Wander the place and admire the salt sculpture design.

Aura Andina Restaurant

Calle Caracoles 362-A Pasado Calle Toconao

International & Fusion

One of the top choices in San Pedro de Atacama. Sandwiches are huge, meals tasty, and customer service great. This restaurant is open to late hours and you can either have lunch or dinner. What you must try here are the “pisco sour rica rica” and the “tabla cevichera”. 

Ckunza Tilar

Caracoles 400-B3

Veggies option

This is your veggie and gluten-free option in San Pedro. Menus are abundant and the customer service very nice. The place is not easy to find, but it is next to a minimarket. Maybe you should book in advance because it runs out of tables fast. What you must try here is the “crema de zapallo” and the gnoccis. Prices are very affordable. 

Inca’s Restaurant San Pedro

Caracoles 169 Local A

Peruvian & Seafood

This Peruvian restaurant is a good option if you want to expand your taste. Peruvians are also famous for their ceviche but also for other seafood specialties like buttered salmon.  Other popular options are the risotto a la huancaina, a traditional Peruvian sauce.  

Tika City

Av. Potosí #113

Bolivian Fusion

Tika City is just one of the many Tika restaurants located in Uyuni city and near the salt flats. In Tika City, you can taste traditional Bolivian meals but also international popular dishes merged with local flavors. Here you must try the “charque lipeño” a combination of dehydrated llama meat, regional potatoes, and yellow chili pepper. 

Tika Palace

Salt Palace Hotel, Uyuni Bolivia Salt Flats

International & regional

Inside the hotel and at the edge of the salt flats you can visit this fancy restaurant. The main proposal of Tika Palace is to offer a buffet-type meal including top-notch table service. Plus, you can admire local art in the place and taste high-altitude wines.