In San Pedro de Atacama you can camp at equipped campsites in town and its ayllus for about 8,000 to 16,000 CLP per night (roughly US$9–18), or go glamping if you'd rather have a real bed and warm bedding. Wild camping is banned in the Valley of the Moon, Death Valley, the salt flats and the El Tatio Geysers, and on land belonging to Atacameño communities without permission.
Camping in the driest desert in the world saves you money on lodging and gives you nights under one of the clearest skies on the planet. San Pedro de Atacama has options ranging from equipped plots a few minutes from the center to wild spots in the high-plateau valleys. But camping here takes real preparation because of three harsh factors: the huge temperature swing (dropping below 0°C before dawn), the land restrictions of the Indigenous communities, and the need to insulate your body from the freezing volcanic ground.
Types of Outdoor Accommodation in Atacama
Sleeping under the stars in northern Chile isn't just a matter of pitching a tent in the dirt. Depending on your budget and how self-sufficient you are, there are three very different ways to do it:
- Equipped campsites in town and the ayllus: Private grounds with hot showers, shared kitchens, shade and power outlets.
- Glamping: Bell tents or geodesic domes set up in the rustic ayllus, with real beds and heavy bedding.
- Wild camping: Spending the night on your own in remote parts of the desert with your own expedition gear.
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| EQUIPPED CAMPSITE | GLAMPING IN THE AYLLUS | WILD CAMPING (DESERT) |
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| • Showers and hot water | • Real beds and bedding | • 100% self-sufficiency |
| • Kitchen and tree shade | • Private or semi-private WC| • No services, no water |
| • Close to shops and cafés | • Quiet, relaxed setting | • Disconnection, zero impact|
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The Best Equipped Campsites in San Pedro de Atacama
If you want a clean base to explore the area and cook your own meals, the campsites in the town's oasis are the most convenient choice.
San Pedro de Atacama Campsite Comparison
| Campsite | Location | Main Services | Approx. Price (CLP/night) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camping Los Chañares | Ayllu de Sequitor (15 min walk) | Hot showers, electricity, shade from chañar trees. | 8,000 – 12,000 | Backpackers and families looking for quiet. |
| Hostal & Camping Ajà Verde | Steps from the center | Tent pitches in the garden, shared bathrooms with hot water, kitchen, parking. | 12,000 – 16,000 | Solo travelers looking for a social vibe. |
| Hostal Puritama (camping area) | San Pedro de Atacama | Gas-heated hot showers, kitchen, WiFi, secure parking. | ~12,000 (in a vehicle ~9,000) | Travelers with a car or campervan. |
Prices are a guide and vary by season. Confirm rates and availability directly with each campsite.
In our experience: Midday heat in the center of town often climbs above 28°C inside a tent with no shade. Always choose campsites with trees (like chañar or carob) or shade cloth to cover your tent during the day.
If you also want to compare regular rooms or hostels before deciding, check our guide to hotels and hostels in San Pedro de Atacama.
Glamping: The Middle Ground Between Adventure and Comfort
For those who want to sleep under the Milky Way without suffering the cold ground in a thin sleeping bag, glamping has become a firm trend in the outlying ayllus such as Coyo, Sequitor and Solor.
What to Expect from Glamping in Atacama
- Waterproof, breathable canvas tents: Bell tents ventilate well during the day and hold in the warm air from the blankets at night.
- Raised beds: Being 30 cm off the ground sharply cuts the body heat you lose by conduction to the cold earth.
- Skies free of light pollution: Sitting 2 or 3 kilometers from the center, you get a sharp view of the constellations right from the tent door.
We compare domes, yurts and prices for each option in our guide to glamping in San Pedro de Atacama (in Spanish).
High-Altitude Camping, All Taken Care Of
If what you want is to sleep on the altiplano, far from town, without hauling gear or worrying about permits, we run a base camp on the Atacama altiplano with 4-season tents, cold-rated sleeping bags, a hot dinner and Bortle 1 skies, which you can combine with a volcano ascent.
Wild Camping in the Desert: Rules and Permits
Pitching a tent freely in any gorge or dune is tempting. But the land situation in the Antofagasta Region calls for caution and local knowledge.
1. Where You CAN'T Camp
Camping is strictly banned in:
- Protected areas and managed tourist sites: Valley of the Moon (Los Flamencos National Reserve), Death Valley, the high-plateau salt flats and the El Tatio Geysers.
- Atacameño (Lickanantay) community land: Most of the natural attractions are run by the communities. Camping without express permission is considered a serious offense against local property.
- Archaeological sites: The area has pre-Columbian cemeteries and pukaras where camping is punishable by law.
2. Where You CAN Camp
You can wild camp on public land or in high-mountain terrain outside the concession-run tourist trails, such as:
- Gorges of the Cordillera de Domeyko: Areas far from inhabited settlements.
- Base camps on non-concession peaks: Approaches to volcanoes like Sairecabur, or high gorges on the way to the Sico Pass.
Safety warning: Always register your itinerary with the Carabineros (police) station in San Pedro de Atacama before heading into the high cordillera to camp on your own.
If your plan involves technical climbs without a tent above 4,000 meters, check our guide to bivouacking and sleeping outdoors in Atacama.
Essential Gear for Camping in Atacama
The desert forgives few gear mistakes. The mix of low humidity and altitude calls for specific equipment if you don't want to spend the night shivering.
1. Sleeping Bag
Forget cheap summer bags from the supermarket. Even at 2,400 meters (in town), night temperatures can hover around 0°C in winter.
- Recommended temperature rating: A bag with a comfort rating between 0°C and -5°C for town; between -10°C and -15°C if you camp above 3,500 meters.
To understand how thermal insulation is measured and which model you need for your cold tolerance, use our sleeping bag insulation calculator (R-value).
2. Insulated Sleeping Pad (R-value)
Atacama's dry ground acts as a constant heat sink. An expensive down bag is useless if you're lying on a thin foam mat.
- Recommended R-value: At least 3.5 for low-altitude campsites; 4.5 or higher for the altiplano.
3. Stakes Built for Dry Ground
The ground around San Pedro ranges from loose sand to caliche as hard as concrete.
- Bring V- or Y-shaped aluminum stakes for hard ground.
- If you camp near dunes, use sandbags or tie your guylines to heavy volcanic rocks. Regular stakes will fly out with the afternoon gusts.
4. Backpacking Stove and Gas
Having a thermos of hot water and a warm meal before getting into your bag makes all the difference.
- Use isobutane/propane gas canisters.
- You can work out exactly how much fuel you need for your days in the field with our stove gas duration calculator.
If you'd rather fly light and rent a tent, a sub-zero bag and a cook set at your destination, see our guide on where to rent camping gear in San Pedro de Atacama (in Spanish). For technical climbing and summit gear (crampons, ice axe and 800-fill down jackets), check our mountain gear rental guide.
Climate Challenges: Wind, Dehydration and Altitude
Camping in the desert means adapting to strong atmospheric conditions.
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| CLIMATE FACTORS AT AN ATACAMA CAMPSITE |
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| • Afternoon wind: Gusts of 40-60 km/h between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. |
| • Relative humidity: Below 10%. Causes dry mouth and cracked skin. |
| • Temperature swing: Up to 25°C difference between midday and midnight. |
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Afternoon Wind
In Atacama, the thermal wind usually picks up after 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. as the pampa heats up. Always check the direction of the gusts before tensioning your tent. To see how wind affects the real feels-like temperature at different altitudes, try the wind chill calculator.
Drinking Water and Purification
The campsites in town have tap water, but it has a high mineral content (boron and arsenic at levels tolerable for household use, but heavy on sensitive stomachs). Buy bottled water to drink, or filter it if you take water from high-plateau springs. Check boiling times by altitude with the water purification at altitude calculator.
Leave No Trace Principles in the Desert
The desert ecosystem is fragile. A vehicle track or a badly extinguished campfire on the arid ground takes decades to disappear.
- No Campfires on Open Ground: Chañar and carob wood is scarce and essential for local wildlife. Use gas stoves only.
- Organic Waste: The dry air doesn't break down banana peels or food scraps; it mummifies them. Take all your trash back to town.
- Respect Water Sources: Don't use soap or detergent in streams or lagoons (like the Puritama or San Pedro rivers). The oasis vegetation depends on that water quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to camp in San Pedro de Atacama?
Between about 8,000 and 16,000 CLP per night at the equipped campsites in town, depending on the season and services. Some charge less if you sleep in your vehicle. Glamping costs quite a bit more because it includes a bed and bedding.
Can you camp in the Valley of the Moon?
No. The Valley of the Moon, Death Valley, the salt flats and the El Tatio Geysers don't allow camping, and neither does Atacameño community land without permission. To sleep out in nature, use a campsite or a guided camp on the altiplano.
Is it cold at night for camping?
Yes. Even if it's over 25°C during the day, temperatures drop to around 0°C in town before dawn and below freezing on the altiplano. Bring a bag with a 0°C to -5°C comfort rating and an insulated pad with an R-value of 3.5 or more.
Plan Your Outdoor Stay
Combining camping nights in San Pedro de Atacama with acclimatization days is the perfect strategy to prepare for climbs of peaks above 5,000 meters in the region.
If you need to put together the right layering system before your trip, or want to join an expedition with full logistics and a camp run by professionals, explore our layering and footwear guide for Atacama or see our upcoming guided expeditions in Atacama.
