Things to do in San Pedro De Atacama
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Valle de la Luna
Watching the sun set from the exquisite Valley of the Moon is an unforgettable experience. From atop a giant sand dune, you can drink in spectacular views as the sun slips below the horizon and a beautiful transformation occurs: the distant ring of volcanoes, rippling Cordillera de la Sal and surreal lunar landscapes of the valley are suddenly suffused with intense purples, pinks and golds.
The Valle de la Luna is named after its lunar-like landforms eroded by eons of flood and wind. The valley is San Pedro's most popular organized tour, with trips leaving in good time to explore before sunset.
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Servicios Astronómicos Maury y Compañía
Take a Tour of the Night Sky from San Pedro with Servicios Astronómicos Maury y Compañía. Tours leave nightly at 7:30pm and 10:30pm in winter and 9pm and midnight in summer (except around the full moon), and they alternate between Spanish, English and French. Bring very warm clothes. French astronomer Alain Maury ferries travelers into the desert, far from intrusive light contamination, where they can enjoy the stars in all their glory. He owns several chunky telescopes through which visitors can gawk at galaxies, nebulae, planets and more. Shooting stars are guaranteed.
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Cactus Tour
A small outfit, but frequently recommended for its excellent service, polite bilingual guides, comfortable vehicles and above-average food. Prices are marginally high, but the difference is noticeable.
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Pukará de Quitor
Dominating a curvaceous promontory over the Río San Pedro, this crumbling 12th-century pukará (fort) was one of the last bastions against Pedro de Valdivia and the Spanish in northern Chile. The indigenous forces fought bravely, but were overcome and many were promptly beheaded. About one hundred defensive enclosures hug the slopes here, like big stone bird's nests. The hilltop commands an impressive view of the oasis.
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Iglesia San Pedro
The sugar-white Iglesia San Pedro is a delightful little colonial church built with indigenous or artisanal materials – chunky adobe walls and roof, a ceiling made from cardón (cactus wood) resembling shriveled tire tracks and, in lieu of nails, hefty leather straps. The church dates from the 17th century, though its present walls were built in 1745, and the bell tower was added in 1890.
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Laguna Chaxa
The jagged crust of the Salar de Atacama looks for all the world like God went crazy with a stippling brush. But in the midst of these rough, lifeless crystals is an oasis of activity: the pungent Laguna Chaxa is the reserve's most easily accessible flamingo breeding site. Three of the five known species (James, Chilean and Andean) can be spotted at this salt lake. Sunrise is feeding time for the birds.
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La Casona
La Casona has been around for a long time. In its current incarnation, this rambling open-air restaurant has tip-top cuisine, focusing on international faves – try the veggie pasta, it’s excellent – with speedy service, a wine room up front and occasional live music. And then there’s those San Pedro stars blaring their cosmic orchestra overhead – can’t get much better than that.
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Las Delicias de Carmen
Doña Carmen serves up some of the best empanadas in town. Or you can go for the set lunch, which features the town’s best salad and a tasty meat or pasta dish. The dining area is less rustic than that of many San Pedro eateries, giving it a bit of a cafeteria feel. Nevertheless, it is clean, honest and, well, good.
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Todo Natural
Healthy offerings include fresh wholemeal sandwiches, a lengthy salad list and numerous vegetarian choices in this cute little café with an open kitchen and small alfresco courtyard. The service is downright bad – guess speedy service just wouldn’t be natural – but the food is decent, making it worth a visit.
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Algarrobo
Pretty cheap eats, especially considering its bees-knees location right on the plaza. The Algarrobo has the feel of an older eatery, the kind that dusty miners would have stopped at on their way to the salitre fields. There’s a large set menu, but we prefer the pita sandwiches, which are big enough to share.
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La Estaka
A lively gathering point late into the night, La Estaka is also recommended for its juicy steaks, sinful dulce de leche (super-sweet condensed-milk spread) crepes, chicken curries and addictively good vegetarian options. It strives for a trendy, subterranean atmosphere and has a fireplace.
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Turismo Colque
Turismo Colque remains the biggest company with the most departures to Uyuni, Bolivia, although it gets very erratic reports from travelers. The quality of the trip depends in part on the driver you get: ask around for recommendations. They can arrange pricier trips with an English-speaking guide.
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Puro Chile
A diminutive locally run restaurant just off Calle Caracoles, recommended for its authentic national cuisine (ajiaco, parrilladas, empanadas, cazuela and more) as well as more international dishes. Food is lovingly prepared, and dished up to a soundtrack of Chilean rock.
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Termas de Puritama
These idyllic volcanic hot springs puddle together in a box canyon, en route to El Tatio. Their temperature is about 33°C (91°F), and there are several falls, pools and changing rooms on site. Few tours stop here because of the hefty admission charged, but taxis will take you.
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Café Export
This is a funky cavelike spot with an intimate interior: low candlelit tables, roaring fire and prehistoric-style daubing on the walls. Despite off-putting touts hovering on its doorstep, and the loud music, it is hugely popular for strong coffee, homemade pasta and decent pizzas.
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Ayllu
It’s pretty much like the other restaurants in town: fogatas, open-air dining and a smogasborg of international dishes. But the Ayllu separates itself with warm, friendly service. Seems the waiter’s GTI (Gringo Tolerance Indicator) is higher than in most places.
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Quitor
A large, thatched establishment frequented by locals, Chilean tourists and gringos alike, this small eatery right next to the bus stop has simple but filling meals and an efficient get-it-on-the-table attitude. Save money by going with the smaller set meal.
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Paseo Artesanal
The shaded Paseo Artesanal, a poker-straight alley squeezing north from the plaza, is the place to hunt down novel cardón carvings, llama and alpaca woolens and other curious trinkets.
More artisanal outlets are strewn throughout town.
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CKunna
This is an excellent, if touristy, restaurant that gives traditional Atacameño ingredients a contemporary twist. It’s housed in a renovated adobe building with a beautiful courtyard to relax in. It also has takeaway service and a welcoming bar.
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Casa Piedra
Looks much like the other restaurants strung along Caracoles but is singled out by many travelers for its warm service, occasional live Andean music and broad range of specialties including pasta, vegetarian and typical Chilean dishes.
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Food Stalls
The cheapest eats in town are served in rustic shacks in a parking lot behind the taxi rank on the northern edge of town. Expect simple set lunches of cazuela, mains and dessert, and all-day empanadas for snacking.
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Aldea de Tulor
Circular adobe structures huddle together like muddy bubble-wrap in the ruins of Tulor, the oldest excavated village in the region. It's just a short drive west of San Pedro, or jump on your bike and get peddling!
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Café Adobe
Ever popular with travelers for its studied rusticity, rock-art decor and smoky fire in the outer dining room, Adobe is a bit pricy for what you get. You may just want to drop by later for a drink.
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Ruta Tropera
Sightseeing from the saddle is available from several places, including Ruta Tropera. Tours vary from two hours to epic seven-day treks, and day tours cost about CH$4500 per hour.
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Casa Incaica
On the east side of Plaza de Armas stands the restored adobe Casa Incaica ostensibly built in 1540 for Valdivia, but it might be safer to say that Valdivia slept here. (It's closed to the public).
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