Atacama Desert by Car: The Ultimate Driving Guide

Welcome to Atacama — The Driest Place on Earth and a Road Trip Dream

Chile’s Atacama Desert is the driest place on the planet - a surreal land of extremes, cosmic mountain views, and raw beauty. Here’s your essential guide to the best spots. Bring your 4x4 and hit the road!

Hand of the Desert — A Lonely Sculpture in the Middle of Nowhere

👋 Hand of the Desert: 8/10. A giant hand sculpture rising out of the sand - a ghostly echo of Burning Man. It’s cool if you’re already driving up from Santiago, but not worth a detour on its own.

San Pedro de Atacama — Your Base for Exploration

The rest of the journey revolves around San Pedro de Atacama - a charming little oasis town with great hotels and easy access to key sites.

Laguna Cejar — Tourist Magnet with Salty Water

🧂 Laguna Cejar: 3/10. Salt lakes popular with tourists for floating. If you’ve done the Dead Sea, this won’t impress. Show up at 9 AM for solitude.

Valley of the Moon - Sunset Hike and Drone Heaven

🌖 Valley of the Moon: 7/10. A classic sunset spot close to town if you don’t want to drive far. Nice 3-hour hiking trail - drone-tested and approved 😎

Valle del Arcoiris - Rainbow Mountains from Your Car Window

🌈 Valle del Arcoiris: 9/10. If you're into scenic mountain drives, this one’s a gem - colorful peaks you can admire straight from your car.

Laguna Chaxa - Sunset, Flamingos, Silence

🦩 Laguna Chaxa: 10/10. Vast salt flats, flocks of flamingos, and jaw-dropping sunsets. Come in the evening for golden light and total silence.

High Altitude Ahead - Take It Easy

The next spots are above 4,000 meters. Respect your limits and go slow.

El Tatio Geysers - Overrated, Overcrowded, and Freezing

💦 El Tatio Geysers: 1/10. The most hyped spot in Atacama, but a letdown. The geysers only really “perform” at sunrise. You’ll need to drive pre-dawn in the dark with zero nearby lodging. You’ll arrive with a crowd - and a headache from the altitude.

Monjes de La Pacana - Dali-Style Desert Surrealism

🗿 Monjes de La Pacana: 10/10. Like a Salvador Dalí animation come to life. The cartoon is called Destino.Massive vertical rocks in the middle of nowhere. Best picnic spot in the world for pondering life with just you, the desert, and a looming boulder.