---
type: "Article"
title: "Fascinaciòn Atacama – el desierto màs seco en el norte de Chile"
description: "Si explora el desierto de Atacama en todas sus facetas, queda fascinado entre todas las formas extrañas y paisajes impresionantes ..."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/chile/desierto-atacama"
author: "Walter Schaerer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 7
tags: ["Itinerary", "Landscape", "Nature", "Rural", "Tour", "Chile"]
entities:
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/chile"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/argentina"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/itinerary"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/landscape"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/nature-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/rural-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/lodge"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2026-07-04T14:22:58+00:00 }
verified:
  - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2014-09-14T09:35:27+00:00 }
sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: desierto-atacama.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Walter Schaerer"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer"
timestamp: 2026-07-04T14:22:58+00:00
---

# Fascinaciòn Atacama – el desierto màs seco en el norte de Chile

> The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is considered the world's driest desert, yet it captivates visitors with strange landscapes, volcanic scenery, and an abundance of natural attractions accessible from the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama.

## Destination
Atacama Desert, northern Chile, stretching from the Peruvian border in the north to the Bolivian and Argentine borders, along the Pacific coast.

## When to go
The article does not specify a recommended season, though it notes that unusual climate events in 2012 caused flooding, while some areas have recorded no rainfall for decades.

## What to see
- **San Pedro de Atacama** — Oasis village of 2,000 inhabitants at 2,400 m above sea level, the main base for exploring the desert.
- **Volcán Licancabur** — Striking volcano rising to 5,916 metres, visible from many angles around San Pedro de Atacama.

## What to do
- **Guided 4x4 excursions** — Off-road trips led by local guides departing from San Pedro de Atacama to unique desert panoramas.

## Good to know
The article recommends two luxury lodging options in San Pedro de Atacama: Awasi Hotel (Relais & Châteaux) and Alto Atacama Lodge. The nearest arrival city is Calama, a mining town used as the entry point to the region.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Schotterstrasse-Atacama-Wueste.jpg"
    caption: "Camino de grava en el desierto de Atacama"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Atacama-desert-air-view.jpg"
    caption: "El desierto de Atacama visto desde el avión"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Awasi-guide-Jorge-Corantes-Fernandez-Walter-Schaerer.jpg"
    caption: "Awasi Guide Jorge con Walter"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/rugged-Atacama-Desert-Chile.jpg"
    caption: "Puesta de sol con el volcán Licancabur"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/San-Pedro-Atacama-oasis-Licancabur.jpg"
    caption: "Ciudad oasis San Pedro de Atacama con el volcán Licancabur"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Restaurant-Awasi-Luxushotel-San-Pedro-de-Atacama.jpg"
    caption: "Restaurante del hotel de lujo Awasi"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/garden-view-Alto-Atacama-hotel-San-Pedro-Atacama.jpg"
    caption: "Hotel moderno Alto Atacama"
```