Experience the Magic of San Pedro de Atacama: Volcanoes, Valleys, and a Starlit Oasis
Whoever reaches the 2,500 m of altitude at San Pedro de Atacama, in the heart of the Atacama Desert, the driest place on the planet, is not at all disappointed. After kilometers of rocks and dust, of long straights whose monotony is broken only by the dust devils and the long mine trains, you arrive almost suddenly in a real oasis, both of the spirit and of space.
Maybe it’s because coming from Antofagasta, on the coast, the town appears suddenly, descending from the 3,500 m of the pass that overlooks San Pedro, but the view of San Pedro is amazing, with the white houses huddled together, the presence of some trees, and a bit of green—something your eyes were no longer accustomed to seeing for many miles.
San Pedro is a unique place, although calling it a city is really excessive: with about 1,000 inhabitants it is a truly tiny town, but its size is magnified by the nothingness that contains it. Then there are the tourists who make the streets more crowded and who, together with the locals, give a multi-ethnic and decidedly carefree atmosphere. San Pedro is dominated by the Licancabur volcano, almost 6,000 m high, which with its perfect cone shape captures the attention of all visitors. On clear days, it is easy to notice its typical profile standing out in the distance between the roofs of the houses, with the top often covered in snow.
What to Do in San Pedro de Atacama
In addition to shopping, which will surely capture your attention thanks to the fair number of craft shops and typical products, there are two places that are absolutely not to be missed.
Church of San Pedro
The Church of San Pedro has a very particular charm and is located in the beautiful central square of San Pedro de Atacama. It may be the courtyard surrounded by white plastered walls and punctuated by cusps alternating with small pillars, it may be the entrance arch that is accompanied by three large battlements that introduce you to the front of the church, or it may be the mighty bell tower with its particular shape, but the complex is truly spectacular. The church has about 250 years of history, and the interior is also interesting, sober, and with a beautiful wooden roof. For over 50 years it has been recognized as a Chilean national monument.
Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum
Another place that is definitely worth a visit is the Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum. The entrance fee is around 2-3 euros and it is really money well spent. Inside you can admire around four hundred thousand archaeological finds, but undoubtedly the highlights of the museum are the mummies. Thanks to the dry climate of the area, mummies from the Inca period or earlier have been found on the mountains, perfectly preserved despite having been left in the open air for centuries. The face of a woman, perfectly preserved, with long hair, will certainly strike you.
Exploring the Surrounding Area
San Pedro de Atacama is also an excellent starting point for exploring this Chilean region: nearby is the famous Valley of the Moon, a must-see at sunset or dawn when you will feel as if you are on Mars or an alien world. Then there’s the Valley of Death, the more distant El Tatio Geysers, which are found between the peaks of the Andes, and the Puritama Hot Springs.
You can also visit the Ruins of Tulor, and moving towards the northwest, you can access areas rich in petroglyphs and geoglyphs, up to the famous Atacama Giant. You can certainly stay more than a week in San Pedro without getting bored and with the days always packed with activities.
Stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama
Remember that one of the most beautiful spectacles of nature here is certainly the night sky. We are at high altitude, and here the light pollution is almost negligible, also because in the dead of night the generators that produce electricity are turned off. Then the Milky Way of the southern hemisphere bursts forth with its extraordinary spectacle, and you will feel like you can caress every single star…
