Northern Chile

Travel Guide

El Tatio Geyser Field which includes tranquil scenes and landscape views
San Pedro de Atacama
Northern Chile
Northern Chile
San Pedro de Atacama

Quench your thirst for adventure in this region of contrasts and natural beauty, which features golden beaches, high plateaus and arid desert landscapes.

Two unique natural landscapes combine in Northern Chile to create an incredibly beautiful region. High mountain plateaus sit alongside what is said to be one of the driest deserts in the world. Discover mining centers and ghost towns, lounge on sunny Pacific beaches and visit exciting cities, where for much of the year there is not a single cloud in the sky.

Explore the mysteries and beauty of the Atacama Desert, where in some areas no rainfall has ever been recorded. Not only does it boast beautiful natural wonders, but also fascinating man-made features. Head to Cerro Pintados and Tiliviche to see large geoglyphs left by indigenous peoples on the desert hillsides and ravines.

Venture to abandoned towns, slowly crumbling beneath the desert sun, which tell the story of the once-booming sodium nitrate industry. The best preserved of these towns is Humberstone, where workers’ houses, an old theater, church, hotel, and workshops with abandoned tools and paperwork still remain. Reach Humberstone easily from nearby Iquique, one of several coastal cities in the region known for their cloudless skies and duty-free shopping.

To see today’s heavy industry in action, take a tour of the giant open-pit copper mine at Chuquicamata, just 10 miles (15 kilometers) from the city of Calama. Calling itself “the land of sun and copper,” Calama, together with the nearby port town ofAntofagasta, is at the heart of the important Chilean mining industry.

To the east, the desert climbs towards the Altiplano. This windswept plateau, with lakes and salt flats ringed with snowcapped volcanoes, gets some tropical rainfall, but the high altitude means only the hardiest flora and fauna can survive. Admire the spectacular scenery and search for wildlife at the Parque Nacional Lauca.

After outdoor adventures, unwind in the hot spring oases of Pica and Matilla or hit the soft sand and warm waters of the beaches close to La Serena, a coastal town set amid rolling valleys where some of the most famous Chilean grapes are grown.

To reach Northern Chile, fly into El Loa Airport near Calama. Travel around the region via buses and minibuses.

Terrado Suites Antofagasta

Terrado Suites Antofagasta

4 out of 5
Baquedano 015, Antofagasta, Antofagasta
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Antofagasta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Plaza Colon and Antofagasta Cathedral ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (289 reviews)
"It was a wonderful stay. Loved the view and the convenient location to food and shopping."

Reviewed on 20 Jun 2025

Terrado Suites Antofagasta
Diego de Almagro San Pedro de Atacama

Diego de Almagro San Pedro de Atacama

3 out of 5
Toconao 460, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €104 per night from 9 Aug to 10 Aug
€104
9 Aug - 10 Aug
Stay at this 3-star hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (291 reviews)
"Felt like we were at a resort. Food and facilities were great and close walk to town yet distance enough for a quiet and safe space."

Reviewed on 18 May 2025

Diego de Almagro San Pedro de Atacama
Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama

Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama

4 out of 5
Avenida Las Chilcas S/N, Lote 10 Parcela 2, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta
The price is €202 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
€202
17 Aug - 18 Aug
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Plaza de San Pedro de Atacama ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (443 reviews)
"Great place!"

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
RQ  Antofagasta

RQ Antofagasta

3.5 out of 5
Avenida Balmaceda 2415 Local 3 - 108, Antofagasta, Antofagasta
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Antofagasta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and private pools. Popular attractions Plaza Colon and Antofagasta Cathedral ...
9/10 Wonderful! (85 reviews)
"I loved this hotel Great location, nice staff, great pool in 28th floor, great views, great little kitchen… it was perfect for me"

Reviewed on 20 Mar 2025

RQ Antofagasta
Domos Dream hotel cabañas

Domos Dream hotel cabañas

2 out of 5
Hortensia Bustamante, La Serena, Coquimbo
Book a stay at this spa campground in La Serena. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Sea Avenue and La Serena Beach ...
"It was far away."

Reviewed on 28 Apr 2024

Domos Dream hotel cabañas
ELDEPTO LA SERENA

ELDEPTO LA SERENA

3 out of 5
La Goleta 5643, Peñuelas, Coquimbo
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Coquimbo. Enjoy free WiFi, cable TV channels, and rainfall showerheads. Popular attractions Canto del Agua Beach and Coquimbo ...
ELDEPTO LA SERENA
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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