Things to do in San Pedro de Atacama

The village lies at about 2,400 m. The trips climb much higher: El Tatio is above 4,000 m and the Altiplano lagoons reach similar heights. Many visitors notice the altitude on those days. For health questions, ask a doctor or pharmacist before you travel; we give no medical advice.

El Tatio is roughly 90 to 100 km from the village, about one and a half to two hours each way. Tours leave in the dark, usually between 4:30 and 5:30, to arrive around sunrise when the steam is thickest.

The moon matters most. Around new moon the sky is darkest; around full moon it is bright and fewer stars show. Check the moon phase for your dates, then compare the stargazing tours.

The nearest airport is Calama, roughly an hour or a little more by road from the village. Shared and private transfers are listed on the experiences page.

No. It is a desert village at altitude; the Pacific coast is several hours away. The sights are geysers, salt flats, lagoons, valleys and the night sky.

Not for the main sights: tours handle the early starts, the altitude and the long distances. A car helps if you want to move at your own pace, but roads to the Altiplano are long, and fuel stops are few, so plan carefully.

It depends on the offer. Some prices include entrance fees to places such as Moon Valley, others charge them separately on the day. The booking page says which; read it before you book.

Yes, there are 3- to 4-day crossings to Uyuni in Bolivia that start or end in San Pedro. They involve a border crossing and long days on rough tracks, so read what is included.