Atacama Desert (San Pedro de Atacama)
The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is the driest desert in the world, with sand dunes, salt flats, and steaming geysers. The little town of San Pedro de Atacama is the friendly gateway to all its wonders.
People come from all over to see its Mars-like valleys and some of the clearest starry skies on the planet. At night the desert glows with so many stars it looks like a sky full of glitter.
Starry Night Skies
Because there are almost no clouds or city lights, the Atacama has some of the best stargazing on Earth. Big telescopes let you see the Moon, planets, and thousands of twinkling stars.
Geysers and Hot Springs
At sunrise the El Tatio geysers shoot puffs of hot steam high into the cold morning air. Nearby, warm natural pools let visitors take a cozy dip in the middle of the desert.
Pink Flamingos on Salt Flats
Wide white salt flats stretch across the land like a crunchy frozen sea. Pretty pink flamingos wade through the shallow salty lagoons looking for tiny food.