Visiting Chile's Atacama Desert

Tamara and her husband recently took a couple's trip to Chile and this week on the podcast she shares her impressions, experiences, and tips for Santiago and Atacama Desert. In a future episode, she will talk about her week in Chile's Winelands.

Episode Highlights

• Tamara flew Avianca Airlines on a flight deal from Boston to Bogota and Bogota to Santiago. Avianca Airlines business class is more like premium economy and not a very impressive business class but overall the flights went smoothly.
• She really enjoyed her stay at the Hyatt Centric Las Condes. Las Condes is a nice area to stay in Santiago.
• If you are visiting Santiago or Valparaiso, be on alert of pickpockets and petty crime and don't wear jewelry and keep your phone secure.
• Foodies would love the chef's tasting dinner at Borago in Santiago.
• To get to the Atacama Desert, you fly 1.5-2 hours to Calama and then it is a 1.5 hour drive to San Pedro de Atacama, which is the central hub for the region.
• Tamara stayed at the Nayara Alto Atacama, which provides a transfer to and from the airport. They offer an all-inclusive rate that includes food, drink, and group excursions. Other options include the Explora and the Tierra and the Awasi offers private excursions.
• She wouldn't recommend self-driving because there is very little cell service and getting to some of the attractions includes driving on dirt roads.
• The Atacama Desert is at a higher elevation so it is good to stay at least 3 nights so that you can do the higher elevation excursions later in your stay after you have time to acclimate.
• Nayara Alto Atacama is part of Virtuoso and booking through Tamara you can get perks that include a $100 spa credit.
• They did three excursions:
  • Sunset excursion to the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) with some short hikes and finishing with a sundowner
  • Salt Flats and Flamingo Reserve - the salt flats are not the flat white salt that you see in Bolivia or Utah, the salt is mixed with minerals and the flats looks a lot like a white lava field
  • Rainbow Valley - not as dramatic as Rainbow Mountain in Peru but a great landscape with layers of red, white, and green rock
  • Star gazing - the Atacama Desert is well-known for its dark skies and star gazing
• The food at the resort was fine but lunch was a three-course meal and if you want something more casual you can eat at the bar. The portions are small and there are only a few options per meal, but at least the menu changes every day.
• Make sure you get the correct adapter for electrical outlets.
• You need cash for small shops and some tips but you can mostly use a credit card or charge tips to your room
• Make sure you wear sunscreen and a hat because there is a high UV index
• Be sure to stay hydrated and bring lots of moisturizer and lip balm
• Bring plenty of layers because the desert gets cold at night
• Remember that it is in the Southern Hemisphere so the summer high season is December - March and winter is during our summer.
• Bring shoes with good traction.