San Pedro Atacama
Today this mythical oasis in the middle of the Atacama Desert has transformed into the tourism capital of the north of Chile, with many hotels in San pedro de Atacama. The narrow town streets welcome travellers from diverse places all over the world, creating a cosmopolitan atmosphere in the village. It is the ancient guardian of the Atacameña culture. Elaborate and sophisticated hotels San Pedro de Atacama and restaurants have begun to proliferate in the last decade, always respecting the traditional style of this wonderful native environment of the Andean Altiplano. Thanks to tourism, the population has grown, reaching around 2,000 inhabitants.
The ancient culture of the Atacama Desert is divided into 15 ayllos (communities) and possesses a defensive fort in Quitor. During the middle of the 15th century they were conquered by the Incas and later the Spanish, who contributed the Catholic faith and the wonderful churches of the Altiplano.
It is situated 2,400 meters above sea level and you can find a good hotel in San Pedro Atacama with us that will satisfy your needs. The mouth of the main river of San Pedro flows into the salar (Salt flats). Surrounded by a spectacular salar containing natural lagoons inhabited by flamingo communities, indigenous towns, natural thermal springs and valleys with unusual geological forms, San Pedro is a destination that transports you to another time, to galaxies that can only be appreciated from its translucid skies. Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama can offer different excursions to astounding landscapes and archeological places that you will remember for lifetime.
Places you cannot miss are:
Archeological Museum: Founded by a Belgian missionary, it has a collection of ceramics, antique garments and ornamental artifacts that remind us of the unique culture in Atacama.
Church of San Pedro : It is one of the most beautiful in the Altiplano, enclosed by an adobe Wall and located next to a quaint, paved plaza filled with majestic pepper trees. It Dates to the middle of the 17th century.
Pukara de Quitor: Dating back to the 12th century, it was an ancient fort, approximately 4 kms from the town, on the edge of the river. On another hill close-by, rise the ruins of Catarpe, an archaic administrative center of the Incans.
Valle de la Luna: Crossing the Cordillera de la Sal (salt mountain range), you arrive at this amazing valley, composed by a series of unusually-shaped hills that resemble lunar forms.
Toconao: Archaic village of Atacama, featuring interesting architecture, and fresh waters, where diverse crops are cultivated.
Salar de Atacama: It is the largest salt flat in Chile and is covered by an abrasive crust of salt that cracks in various places forming lagoons. Here, the marvelous pink flamingos or Parinas come to pose, and in the process immortalize these landscapes crowned by the Licancabur volcano.
Tatio Geyser: This geothermic field is located 4,300 meters above sea level. At sunrise it offers an unforgettable spectacle, displaying boiling jets of water exploding into the air. The surroundings are mountainous and overwhelmingly beautiful.
UNIQUE OCCASION
Festival de San Pedro: On the 29th of June, the day of San Pedro and San Pablo is the celebration of these patron saints. The festivities start on the eve of the event with a mass. They include processions and traditional dances that derive from a true religious carnival.