San Pedro is an obvious staging spot for surrounding attractions and many visitors regret they didn't allow enough time to see them all. Visible from just about anyplace near San Pedro is Volcán Licancábur, 19409 ft (5916 m).
North of town:
About 50 miles (82 km) over a difficult road are the geysers at El Tatio, the highest in the world. At 14,200 ft (4300 m), these are the highest geysers in the world. The spouts reach 19 ft (6 m) in height and are surrounded by fumaroles and mountains reaching almost 20,000 ft (6000 m). The best time to see El Tatio is at dawn. Be careful where you walk: the crusts around the geysers is very thin and unwary visitors have broken through and been badly burned.
About 18 miles (30 km) north of San Pedro de Atacama are the Spas of Puritama. The water rises from an underground river and feeds several pools which entice you to swim. The water is not too hot, a comfortable 33 degrees Celsius or 91.4 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a good place to stop on the way back from El Tatio. If you don't want to leave Calama or San Pedro de Atacama at 3 AM for the geysers, you can camp at the spas, but there is no firewood and it gets very cold at night.
Less than 2 miles (3 km) northeast of San Pedro, the Pucará de Quitor is a 12th century hillside fortress built of stone, with a perimeter wall enclosing houses and a grain silo. It was probably intended to defend the local oases from other Atacama indians, but fell easily to the Spaniards. It is now a national monument.
South of town:
It seems strange to think that in the midst of the driest desert on earth, there are lagoons, and where the water evaporates into the desert south of San Pedro de Atacama is the Salar de Atacama, the world's largest salt lake. On the west side of the Salar is the Valley of the Moon. Over the ages, wind has shaped the sand and rock into weird and wonderful formations, preserved as a National Reserve. The absence of plant and animal life and humidity make this one of most inhospitable regions on earth. Because of this, NASA has used the area as a test and training area.
On the western edge of the salar, the pre-Columbian village, uncovered by Padre Gustavo Le Paige and named Tulor, is thought to be 3000 years old. Only 2.6 miles (4 km) from San Pedro de Atacama, at 8530 ft (2585 m) high, Tulor has round buildings connected by courtyards and corridors, and a protective wall surrounding the settlement.
The lagoon at Miscanti is often skipped over but it is worth a visit to see the nearby volcanos reflected in the blue waters. Another lagoon at Chaxas is famous for the three varieties of flamingos and other birds that nest here. This is the Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos.
East of town:
Another pre-Columbian settlement is the small orchard village of Toconao, known for the buildings made of volcanic rock. Water from the Andes is collected in a tank above the village and provides irrigation for the fields around the village. You can get there easily by public transportation, the micro bus. The Iglesia de San Lucas is worth a visit for the thick walls and altar.
Another good place to swim is at Pozo #3 on the road to Toconao. This is a very large pool of mineral waters and a wonderful way to enjoy the desert.
And of course, in San Pedro itself, you must tour the Museo Arqueológico Padre Gustavo Le Paige, the extraordinary archaeological museum of Padre Gustavo Le Paige. Among its many artifacts (more than 300,000 archeological pieces from various pre-hispanic cultures) are rows of amazingly well preserved mummies, including the one known as Miss Chile.
Walk by the house built in 1540, before his arrival, for Pedro de Valdivia. Construction methods haven't changed much since then.
Enjoy your visit to San Pedro de Atacama.
