Type B Tips for San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
A concise list of readily Googleable information, I unsurprisingly didn’t Google before my trip, so you can avoid suffering the consequences like I did.
Quick read: 920 words, 4 minute read eSIMs
There is hardly any information on this outside of TikTok, but as of February 2025, you can’t purchase a physical SIM card in Chile without a RUT identification number, making them inaccessible for foreign tourists. If you have a scroll on Reddit (a dire way to start the morning), some people allege you can still get physical SIM cards from some corner shops, as long as the seller agrees to use their RUT number to activate the card for you. That being said, I’m not sure how reliable this information is, as some people report being scammed with dud SIMs, and we personally couldn’t find a single shop offering this service. Therefore, the most reliable option is to purchase a digital eSIM.
(Since I didn’t end up using an eSIM, I’ll explain in a moment, I can’t recommend any from personal experience, but Nomada has an extensive list of suggestions under the title ‘Best eSIMs for Travel’ on their website.)
The caveat for eSIMs is that only certain phones are compatible with them, so make sure you check your device's viability before purchasing. If you have a recent(ish) iPhone you will be fine, but since my friend and I are both staunch Android users, which were not eSIM compatible, we remained without data.
Being budget travellers, we didn’t want to pay crazy data roaming fees and eventually decided to just backpack Chile without data. Being horrendously Gen Z, I would be lying if I said it wasn’t an adjustment; free public wifi became an oasis with alarming efficiency. Realistically, it was probably good for my brain to function, if not only momentarily, without the crunch of the internet, but I digress. However, if you are solo travelling, specifically as a woman, I can’t in good faith suggest doing this, so it might be worth getting a second hand iPhone for your trip just to play it safe!
Don’t worry about pre-booking activities
One quick stroll down the Calle Caracoles (the main tourist street in San Pedro de Atacama) will leave you flooded with business cards and price lists for excursions into the desert. Most companies offer the same trips, so don’t worry about activities selling out, and because there are countless shops to choose from, you can take your time choosing a company, comparing prices and checking reviews.
We were on a tight turn around, only having time for 3 experiences: a star gazing tour, a trip to the Lagunas Baltinache (the famous salt lagoons) and Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon).
Going to the Valle de la Luna was the closest I will ever get to being on Mars. There were a number of moments during my trip around South America when I was overcome with the desire to pinch myself, but I can say hand on heart, it was never as strong as when I was surrounded by those towering rock formations and sweeping sand dunes.
I’m pretty sure I developed some form of cold water shock after I plunged my body into the crystal clear waters of lagoon number 7. Being a bit of a cynic, I didn’t think I would actually float... I was beyond pleasantly surprised. It's hard to describe the sensation of bobbing completely unsupported, salt water crystallising around your hairline, while you’re flipping from back to front like a bath toy, but I know I would do it again in a heartbeat.
(Keep in mind you can’t wear sunscreen while swimming in the lagoons to protect the water and there are limited changing facilities; wear your swim suit under your clothes!)
All that being said, if you can only do one thing in San Pedro de Atacama, it has to be stargazing! I didn't even know that many stars existed, so wrap up warm and enjoy being enthralled by the night sky (you will wake up with neck pain but it is unbelievably worth it).
Final tip, if you are on a tight schedule, I would try to arrive at San Pedro de Atacama early(ish) on your first day, this will enable you to compare prices and reviews before booking later that afternoon. This will ensure you don’t waste a day without anything planned.
You will burn if you're not super diligent
I spent the majority of my backpacking trip clad in fake Patagonia winter garb and smothered in layers; upon arriving in sunny Atacama, from not so sunny Bolivia, I got a little over excited and immediately cracked out my very crumpled scarf top and shorts. Big mistake! Huge! The UV in the desert is completely mental, admittedly I am very pale so take this as you will, but I fried like bacon. You can feel the UV physically sting your exposed skin like hundreds of tiny bug bites, safe to say my Celtic competition stood no chance; cover your shoulders and reapply that factor 50!
Prices
Chile is expensive. Having travelled down from Peru and Bolivia, the prices in Chile were a bit of a shock! Being from London, I felt right at home in front of my £20 pizza, but keep this in mind so you can plan your expenses accordingly, especially if Santiago is your last stop! Chile is an absolutely stunning country, with some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in the world, so make sure you budget well enough so you have enough money to enjoy them!