10 Nature & Parks in Antofagasta Region That You Shouldn't Miss

August 28, 2021 Florencio Paulino

The Antofagasta Region (Spanish: Región de Antofagasta, pronounced [antofaˈɣasta]) is one of Chile's fifteen first-order administrative divisions. It comprises three provinces, Antofagasta, El Loa and Tocopilla. It is bordered to the north by Tarapacá and by Atacama to the south and is the second-largest region of Chile. To the east it borders Bolivia and Argentina. The capital of the region is the port city of Antofagasta, another important city being Calama. The main economic activity is copper mining in the giant porphyry copper systems located inland.
Restaurants in Antofagasta Region

1. Atacama Dessert

Chile
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 947 reviews

Atacama Dessert

Reviewed By RafVibr

One of the best place on earth. An impressive Salar with volcanoes, open spaces, lakes, wild animals

2. Lascar Volcano

San Pedro de Atacama 1240000 Chile [email protected]
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 351 reviews

Lascar Volcano

Reviewed By melaniebC504MG - Vancouver, Canada

Worth the suffering Even for the bad road condition ( 4wd required ) and also to climb up this amazing Volcano We spend the night before at Laguna Lejia the view and the flamingo in the morning was a spectacular start of our day

3. Lagunas Miscanti y Miniques

Caracoles 174b, San Pedro de Atacama 1410000 Chile +56 9 5641 9319 http://www.facebook.com/viajero.andino.SP/
Excellent
81%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5,676 reviews

Lagunas Miscanti y Miniques

Reviewed By 965ianf - Norfolk, United Kingdom

This trip to the lagoons at over 4000m altitude was to witness some truly unique and spectacular scenery. The blue lagoons with the backdrop of snow capped peaks and white salt terrain was breathtaking. This was a day trip from San Pedro and the excursion included an outdoor lunch in the sunshine. A great trip with a stop off on the way back at the point where we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn at Lat 23 degrees. A much over used word these days but the vista really was 'amazing'. A special place indeed.

4. Salar de Tara

San Pedro de Atacama Chile
Excellent
82%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,226 reviews

Salar de Tara

Reviewed By Birdsocks - Boston, United States

This was one of my favorite spots in the Atacama - partly because it is absolutely breathtaking, and partly because it was one of the less crowded spots I visited. It's location makes it impossible to access with a bus - so it is limited to a handful of sprinter vans and camp trucks like mine at any given time. This is accessed via the Monks (Monjes de Pacana) and there is no "road" leading to it. For those not part of a tour, who are looking for the Monks and Salar de Tara on their own - here's some important advise: There weren't any signs letting you know you were close to the Monks...or any signs for the site at all, on the road from San Pedro. The cartoony map from town had them in a slightly different spot on the curves of the road than where they were - we were worried we'd missed a turn off. But not to worry - they are there and you really cannot miss them - they're adjacent to the road and very recognizable. Side note: You will be sharing the curvy and mostly uphill road from SPdA to this location with LOTS of trucks transporting cars to Bolivia/Argentina (maybe from the coast?). They are super slow on the hills and you'll be often stuck behind them when the road is too curvy to pass. Once at the Monks - to get to Salar de Tara requires a 20-30min off road drive. There are lots of car tracks going every which way - some may lead to completely different places, so I would not suggest trying to find this on your own. Even with a GPS app, it is not a direct route, and tourists get lost in the area a lot trying to find the site. We followed one of the sprinter van tours from Monjes de Pacana, and then did the same thing to get back afterwards. The tour guides seem very kind and happy to lead the way so you don't get lost! At the Salar, there are lots of animals, a gorgeous landscape, a baño, and smaller crowds - definitely worth the drive! This is one of the higher altitudes in the area - the weather is super dodgy/undpredictable! We saw sun, rain, hail, and snow on our day trip to visit these. A guide advised that rain often starts in the area around 2 or 3pm, and suggested leaving by that time. He was spot on, as it started raining around 2pm as we headed out.

5. Salar de Aguas Calientes

San Pedro de Atacama Chile
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 342 reviews

Salar de Aguas Calientes

Reviewed By SophiaK - Athens, Greece

What an unbelievable spot. We did the Aguas Calients with Cosmo Andino tours and we drove on a perfect road from lakes Miscanti and Miniques. It is an amazing place, I can only compare it to a painting! The amazing colors of the lake, and the backdrop of high volcanoes, the freshness of the air, the calm and quiet. It is truly breathtaking!

6. Lagunas Altiplanicas

San Pedro de Atacama Chile
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 238 reviews

Lagunas Altiplanicas

Reviewed By G3719EIstephaniec - Bristol, United Kingdom

Simply a beautiful place to visit. Was lucky enough to see wild vicuñas grazing by the side of this lake. My iphone camera did not do justice to this perfect place.

7. Valle de Catarpe

San Pedro de Atacama Chile
Excellent
88%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 17 reviews

Valle de Catarpe

Reviewed By NataliePatricia - San Francisco, United States

This place is great for adventurous independent travelers who have cabin fever with the large tour buses. Hire a bike from SPA (3000 CLP for half day) for an easy cycle out of town around 10km north of SPA. Be prepared for slightly bumpy dirt road with potholes and occasional slippery sand dunes. Fine for those comfortable on a bike and for beginner mountain bikers. Cross a river (locals may assist wit safe place to cross) and follow signs to Catarpe where you will pay a park fee 3000 CLP. Before you commit ask about river and weather conditions as there are a few more river crossings which may get knee deep if yeh park rangers decide to open the “river door”. Once you get past these you will enter the Devils throat (chulakao ravine) which is a fun twisted canyon with steep walks, low caves and interesting terrain and textures. There are a couple of spots you will need to carry your bike over boulders to continue but it’s worth the effort.

8. Salar de Atacama

Antofagasta Chile
Excellent
69%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 349 reviews

Salar de Atacama

This vast salt lake is blanketed by a thick crust of salt and attracts some interesting varieties of birds including several different types of flamingos.

Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States

Salar de Atacama is the largest salt flat in Chile. It is located 55 km south of San Pedro de Atacama. It is surrounded by mountains and has no drainage outlets. In the east it is enclosed by the main chain of the Andes, while to the west lies a secondary mountain range of the Andes called Cordillera de Domeyko. It is best viewed from a hot air balloon ride especially to appreciate it’s vastness. Certainly would very highly recommend visiting same or viewing it from a hot air balloon ride.

9. Valle De La Luna

San Pedro de Atacama Chile +56 9 9943 4171
Excellent
69%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8,339 reviews

Valle De La Luna

Reviewed By ReadyForThisJelly - Washington DC, United States

Honestly, I was disappointed by the Atacama Desert. I found it was mostly a more expensive, less spectacular version of Bolivia's altiplano desert. But the Valle de la Luna/Valle de la Muerte was the big exception—there's nothing quite like this in Bolivia, and it's spectacular. It's getting harder to visit here without crowds, but it's still great. The valley was the highlight of our 5 days in San Pedro, and we visited three times—on a morning hike, by horseback ride, and sandboarding down the huge dunes. I highly recommend all three experiences.

10. Termas Banos de Puritama

Ruta B-245 km. 28, San Pedro de Atacama Chile +56 9 9124 4232 http://termasdepuritama.cl
Excellent
62%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,163 reviews

Termas Banos de Puritama

Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States

Puritama Hot Springs is a series of eight large pools of geothermal spring water located at the bottom of a canyon in the Atacama Desert, within a close driving distance from San Pedro De Atacama. One feels relaxed and refreshed after one takes a dip in one of the natural pools. Certainly worth visiting for those who seek some relaxation in the midst of several hectic activities revolving around San Pedro De Atacama.

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