ChiSPdrAtacama
Festivals:
San Pedro celebrates June 24, the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, a major event in Catholic countries. The entire village joins in the celebrations. After mass in the church, a procession exits through the gates into the plaza, marches through the narrow streets and returns to the church. Celebrants, penitents and visitors join the throng.
San Pedro de Atacama is also busy and crowded for the Independence Holiday the week of September 18, the dieciocho, so if you plan to be there at either time, make sure you have reservations in advance.
Things to know:
Many tours will fly you to Calama, then drive you to San Pedro where there are hotels, hosterias, and camping available. At a little over 8000 feet (2,438 m), if you aren't already used to the altitude, you might want to spend part of your first day taking it easy.
If you are traveling independently, you can also take a bus or rent a car from Antofagasta and other large cities to Calama and on to San Pedro, about an hour's drive away.
From San Pedro, you can walk, drive or ride a bike to some of the closer attractions. You can rent mountain bikes in the village, or arrange horseback rides.
The main street is only a few blocks long, and here you will find the few restaurants and shops of the village. In summer, more than 15,000 visitors pass through San Pedro de Atacama; in winter the number drops to 9,000.
Electrical power after dark is provided by generators. On the desert, temperatures fluctuate widely between night and day and you will need clothing for both extremes.
Remember a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Use them! You may find yourself in a dust storm, some of which lasts for days. Plan to stay in San Pedro de Atacama during one of these storms. If you drive in the desert, make sure your vehicle is equipped for that and carry extra water. If you hike, make sure you have extra food and water with you.
Please read the next page for things to see and do.
San Pedro celebrates June 24, the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, a major event in Catholic countries. The entire village joins in the celebrations. After mass in the church, a procession exits through the gates into the plaza, marches through the narrow streets and returns to the church. Celebrants, penitents and visitors join the throng.
San Pedro de Atacama is also busy and crowded for the Independence Holiday the week of September 18, the dieciocho, so if you plan to be there at either time, make sure you have reservations in advance.
Things to know:
Many tours will fly you to Calama, then drive you to San Pedro where there are hotels, hosterias, and camping available. At a little over 8000 feet (2,438 m), if you aren't already used to the altitude, you might want to spend part of your first day taking it easy.
If you are traveling independently, you can also take a bus or rent a car from Antofagasta and other large cities to Calama and on to San Pedro, about an hour's drive away.
From San Pedro, you can walk, drive or ride a bike to some of the closer attractions. You can rent mountain bikes in the village, or arrange horseback rides.
The main street is only a few blocks long, and here you will find the few restaurants and shops of the village. In summer, more than 15,000 visitors pass through San Pedro de Atacama; in winter the number drops to 9,000.
Electrical power after dark is provided by generators. On the desert, temperatures fluctuate widely between night and day and you will need clothing for both extremes.
Remember a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Use them! You may find yourself in a dust storm, some of which lasts for days. Plan to stay in San Pedro de Atacama during one of these storms. If you drive in the desert, make sure your vehicle is equipped for that and carry extra water. If you hike, make sure you have extra food and water with you.
Please read the next page for things to see and do.