With landscapes that look like they’re from another planet and surreal scenery, the Atacama Desert is the perfect setting to visit with that special someone.
Whether it’s for a dream marriage proposal or an unforgettable honeymoon, the driest desert in the world is waiting for you. If you don’t believe us, here are the best experiences you can have in this destination.
A date under the clearest skies in the world
Astronomical tours are held every night with explanations of constellations and high-end telescopes, except on full moon nights, as the light makes it difficult to see the constellations clearly.
Stargazing takes place about 10 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama to find clearer skies and get away from any light pollution. This experience lasts an average of 2 hours and 30 minutes and includes talks on the Andean worldview and the observation of planets and other celestial bodies.
If you’re looking for a romantic date under a wonderful starry night, now you know where to go! It is essential that you hire tourism services registered with Sernatur.
Connect with nature at the Cejar and Baltinache lagoons
A must-see experience in San Pedro de Atacama. The hidden lagoons of Baltinache are 7 saltwater lagoons of various sizes that are sure to impress you with their turquoise waters, which contrast with the whitish color of the earth full of mineral salts.
Meanwhile, Cejar Lagoon is a salty oasis where the density of the water—similar to the Dead Sea—lets you float effortlessly, an experience that’s as surreal as it is intimate. It’s located just 8 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama and can be visited on half-day guided tours.
Discover Piedras Rojas and the Altiplano lagoons
At more than 4,000 meters above sea level, Piedras Rojas (Salar de Talar) is a deep red rock formation reflected in a crystal-clear lagoon, surrounded by white salt flats and snow-capped volcanoes. The contrast of colors creates one of the most photogenic and romantic landscapes in all of Chile.
The route to this destination usually also includes the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, two high-altitude bodies of water where you can spot flamingos in an absolute silence that invites you to pause and gaze at the horizon together.
El Tatio Geysers and the unique landscapes of the Chilean highlands
To wrap up your romantic getaway, we recommend one of the most impressive attractions in San Pedro de Atacama: the El Tatio Geysers.
In the middle of the Chilean highlands, you will see a beautiful sunrise thanks to the steam coming from the geysers, which contrasts with the first rays of the sun. Since it is important to get an early start to visit them and because they are at a high altitude, you should get a good rest the day before. Always bring water, sunscreen, and appropriate clothing for the cold.
Visit the fascinating Valley of the Moon
The Valley of the Moon is Atacama’s most iconic postcard and a must on any romantic getaway. Its salt formations and eroded rock create a lunar landscape that, at sunset, turns orange, violet, and red in a truly unique chromatic spectacle.
The best time to visit is just before sunset, when the light transforms every corner of the valley and the desert’s silence wraps around everything.
Bonus: the stunning Blooming Desert
We’re heading out from San Pedro de Atacama to tell you about a dreamlike landscape. Once every few years, when rainfall exceeds the usual records, the driest desert in the world does something extraordinary: it blooms.
The Blooming Desert transforms the arid landscape into a blanket of color stretching for kilometers, a natural phenomenon so unusual and fleeting that those who witness it describe it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This phenomenon occurs mainly in the Atacama Region between August and October, in places like Llanos de Challe National Park or Blooming Desert National Park.
How to get to San Pedro de Atacama?
The fastest and most common way to get there is by flying from Santiago to El Loa Airport in Calama. From there, San Pedro de Atacama is only 1 hour and 15 minutes away by land. You can take an official transfer, rent a vehicle, or use intercity buses that depart frequently.
