Taxis are available in the region, they can be found at the airport, outside bus stations, and called and ordered over the phone. Colectivos (shared taxis) are also available and offer a fixed route and rate from the main downtown areas in major cities to other city neighborhoods. These are normally black sedan cars with a sign on top of their roof showing their route number and main stops. 

Yes, there are many organized tours, sightseeing tours, hikes, and other walking activities in the desert. The town of San Pedro de Atacama is easily accessible on foot. 

Renting a bike is a great way to get around the Atacama Desert, having a bike is a great way to visit the attractions in the nearby area. Riding a bike around can be a fun experience but it can also be extremely hot and a lot of work. Places like Laguna Tebinquiche, Valle de la Luna, and Death Valley are accessible by bike, getting there is a breeze as the road travels downhill, and getting back can be a challenge. There are bikes available to rent at the majority of San Pedro de Atacama’s tour agencies, and many accommodations.   

Renting a bike is a great way to get around the Atacama Desert, having a bike is a great way to visit the attractions in the nearby area. Riding a bike around can be a fun experience but it can also be extremely hot and a lot of work. Places like Laguna Tebinquiche, Valle de la Luna, and Death Valley are accessible by bike, getting there is a breeze as the road travels downhill, and getting back can be a challenge. There are bikes available to rent at the majority of San Pedro de Atacama’s tour agencies, and many accommodations.   

The Atacama Desert is considered a very safe destination to visit. However, due to its increased population and visitors over the recent years crimes against tourists are becoming more common with petty theft and muggings. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets, and tourist attractions. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. Be careful when walking at night and don’t walk outside the main center of town. 

Spanish is the official language of Chile. You will most likely find English speakers in Santiago, the Lake District, Patagonia, and other tourist-centered enclaves across the country. There is not a high percentage of English speakers in Chile, but if you are to find someone who does speak English, they are most likely younger and/or work in the service industry. Take some time to learn key phrases in Spanish, like hello/goodbye, please/thank you, how much is it?, where is the bathroom?, and numbers from 1-10. To ask someone if they speak English, say `¿Habla inglés?`

The Atacama Desert is located within the southern hemisphere’s dry subtropical climate belt, it is known as the driest place on earth. The summers can be extremely hot in the desert with temperatures soaring into the mid to high 90s during the day, they can drop to as low as 50F degrees at night. The winter brings cooler temperatures that vary between 50-60F degrees, with clear skies perfect for stargazing. The best time to visit is said to be from September to December when temperatures are warm and comfortable and there are fewer crowds. The Atacama Desert is a year-round destination, the summer is from December to March which is a good time to see plenty of flora and fauna and spectacularly colorful sunsets. The winter months are June to October with mild temperatures and clear skies for stargazing. 

The currency of the Atacama Desert is the Chilean Peso. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Argentine pesos upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city..

The main restaurants can be found in San Pedro de Atacama, despite being small the town is packed with some excellent dining spots. Theres a great variety of family-run restaurants dishing up authentic classic local cuisine, and plenty of international dining options serving everything from pizza to pasta, burgers, and seafood. The town is home to a lot of delicious new restaurants, bistros, and cafes dotted around its streets. The chefs in town rely on the land for most of their ingredients with meals from llamas, desert herbs, and other key ingredients blended together to create unique regional dishes. Some local dishes include hearty patasca a spicy stew made with charqui (dried meat) potatoes, and dried corn and cooked for several hours, it’s a staple in the desert region. Picante de Conejo is rabbit meat cooked in semolina and then in a broth with puti carrots, onions, garlic, and chuno, it’s served with rice and other sides. Llama meat is commonly used in many meals, it has a similar taste to lamb and is used to make stews, casseroles, and pies. A popular Chilean “a lo pobre” is llama meat with eggs, and fries. Quinoa is a common grain and basic ingredient used to accompany many dishes. 

Some authentic Chilean dishes include caldillo de congrio (fish stew with tomatoes and potatoes), and ceviche using fresh bass and scallops. Locally sourced fresh ingredients are used to make Chilean specialties such as machas a la parmesana (razor clams layered with cheese, white wine, and lemon juice), along with seafood stews using freshly caught fish from the Pacific. Other classic popular dishes include Empanadas which are typically filled with meat, cheese, or seafood and then baked or fried. Completo is a Chilean-style hot dog loaded with toppings like sauerkraut, diced tomatoes, pebre (spicy salsa), and generously adorned with mayonnaise. Pastel de Choclo is a traditional hearty casserole dish made with ground corn, seasoned meat, onions, and olives, and topped with a golden crust made from cornmeal. Alfajores is a sweet dessert of soft, delicate cookies filled with dulce de leche. 

There is not much nightlife in this small town, many restaurants serve up great Chilean wine, beers, and cocktails like the popular pisco sour. There are a few cozy bars in town, some establishments playing live music like Chilean tunes, and a few opportunities to dance. The town shuts down pretty early, but there are some excellent stargazing opportunities in the desert. There are some desert parties worth attending. 

n case of an emergency dial 911 or 107

Hospital:

Rural General’s office of San Pedro de Atacama tel. 56-800-000-186