The Atacama Desert - The North

The San Pedro de Atacama Desert is home to some of the most dramatic landscapes in the country, it's the best place for stargazing during the summer when the area is blessed with crystal clear skies and great views of the stunning Milky Way. The desert is bordered by geysers, volcanoes, and salt flats. It is a fantastic place to visit and one of the driest regions in the entire world. Parts of the Atacama Desert have not seen any rainfall in over 400 years!! This is a year-round region when it comes to weather with average daily temperatures that sit around 75 degrees during the day. The night-time temperatures in the desert vary quite a bit between seasons, and winter can see them drop below freezing. Summertime (December to February) in the desert can be pleasant but also brings extreme temperatures that can reach up to 100 F degrees. Autumn (March to May) and Spring (September to November) are good months to visit with fewer crowds and pleasant weather. The winter months (mid-June to late August) can be somewhat pleasant in the day with crisp sunny days, yet bitterly in the shade and at night. 

Festivals

- Andean Carnival - February - San Pedro de Atacama

- Festival of Virgen del Carmen - June

- Feast of Saints Peter and Paul - June - San Pedro de Atacama

- Pachamama Festival - August - San Pedro de Atacama

- All Saints Day, Day of the Dead - November - San Pedro de Atacama