If you visit the Atacama desert, you will likely pass through the town of San Pedro de Atacama. This small town sits in an oasis, making it one of the few places with water in the desert. From your home base of San Pedro de Atacama, you can explore an amazing variety of landscapes.
Valley of the Moon. This is perhaps the most famous tourist site in the Atacama. It features a lunar landscape of rocky cliffs and sand dunes that becomes absolutely magical at twilight or sunset.
Salar de Atacama. The great salt flat, or “salar” is another must-see. Here you will find a mix of cracked white salt flats and shimmering salt lakes, ringed by an impressive chain of active volcanoes.
Tatio Geysers. At the third-largest geyser field in the word, you can witness eruptions of up to 7m high, in a landscape peppered with geothermal pools and colorful mineral deposits. You can even bathe in some of the warm pools.
Miscanti and Miñique Lagoons. These spring-fed lagoons are a mecca for local wildlife, most notably Chilean Flamingos.
Don’t miss the Archeological Museum, located in San Pedro. There you will find an impressive collection of artifacts from the desert, including mummies, ceramics, gold, and textiles.