Top Hotels in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

San Pedro de Atacama is an adventure travel hub and a top destination for anyone who wants to explore the Atacama Desert in northern Chile–and all those people need somewhere to sleep. The oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama is bursting with accommodation options. Here’s our guide to top hotels in San Pedro de Atacama including recommendations in a range of price points.

Top hotels in San Pedro de Atacama

After spending 42 nights in San Pedro de Atacama, we’re ready to present our top recommendations for top hotels in San Pedro de Atacama in all price points.

Budget hotels in San Pedro de Atacama

Even “budget” accommodations in this tourist mecca come with high price tags. It can be hard to find a decent private room for under US$40 a night. However, there are some good budget-friendly-ish accommodation options out there.

At Hostal Camino del Inca, just a couple of blocks off Caracoles Street, we paid 41,000 CLP (about US$42) for a bright private double room with a big clean bathroom. This family-owned budget hotel option also has a large parking area, Wi-Fi, a continental breakfast is included in room rates, and there’s a kitchen that guests can use but there is no air conditioning (just a fan).

We also stayed at Hotel Takha Takha which, at 79,000 CLP (about US$82) for a double room with a private bathroom just eeks into the category of budget hotels in San Pedro de Atacama. Some rooms are quite cavelike. The rate includes a good breakfast, a parking area, and a pool but there is no air conditioning (just a fan).

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Some budget hostels and hotels in San Pedro de Atacama (including the Takha Takha) also offer camping.

Mid-range hotels in San Pedro de Atacama

The mid-range hotels in San Pedro de Atacama often represent the best value for money with hotel services and niceties like air-conditioning for just a bit more than inflated budget hotel rates. Here are three mid-range hotels in San Pedro de Atacama that we recommend.

We consider the Terrantai Lodge Hotel to be an oasis within an oasis. Opened in 1996 by the patriarch of the family that still runs the place, it was created to serve the first trickle of backpackers that came to San Pedro. The owner was also one of the first to offer guided tours of the Atacama Desert. Over time, the Terrantai evolved into a 21-room hotel in the center of town **evolved and it now claims to be the first boutique hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. Original areas of the structure–including adobe walls, beam and cane ceilings, and river stone adornment–now have official protection as a National Monument. Rooms, around $200 a night depending on the size, are spotless (as is the entire place), stylish (local handicrafts are everywhere), and comfortable (though there’s no air-conditioning). A small pool was added recently and the hotel has a large parking area nearby. Staff members are knowledgeable and helpful in a way that makes the Terrantai Lodge perfect for visitors to San Pero de Atacama who don’t need a guide for every move, but could use some advice along the way. Guests of the Terrantai enjoy a full breakfast including an egg station and freshly squeezed orange juice plus generous touches of hospitality like a table of snacks (dried fruit, nuts, etc.) that’s laid out every afternoon and wine with cheese and olives served every evening.

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Hotel La Casa de Don Tomas is another San Pedro de Atacama hospitality pioneer. Opened more than 25 years ago by Don Tomas, the original hotel had just four rooms. Family members have since expanded the operation to 73 rooms, an outdoor pool, and a large restaurant. This makes Hotel La Casa de Don Tomas a popular choice for group tours and traveling families.

In late 2022, a sister hotel, called El Refugio, was opened on a neighboring property. Designed to offer more modern and more luxurious accommodations in a more intimate setting (there are just 30 rooms here), El Refugio delivers sleek rooms with air-conditioning and private patios (rooms 821-838 have volcano views) and excellent service. Notable pluses include a furnished terrace from which to enjoy sunset over the Atacama with a glass of sparkling wine in hand (all guests get a free glass each evening), and better than average green measures including solar power and solar hot water, treated gray water used to irrigate the grounds (planted in native plants), use of traditional insulating adobe, and east-facing glass areas to capture sun’s warmth in winter months.

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The Our Habitas Atacama hotel opened in 2023, bringing the brand’s distinct mix of hip and high-end to San Pedro de Atacama.  The pool is sexy, the music is cool, the rooms are diverse interpretations of desert chic, and the spa, restaurant, and overall ethos work to incorporate Atacameñan culture as much as possible. For more, see our full review of Our Habitas Atacama for Luxury Latin America.

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All-inclusive luxury hotels in San Pedro de Atacama

Those who can afford to stay in one of the all-inclusive hotels in San Pedro de Atacama benefit from luxury hotel services and facilities with rates that include all food and beverages plus a wide range of guided excursions for hassle-free exploration of the Atacama Desert.

The Explora Atacama opened in San Pedro in 1999 and was the first luxury all-inclusive adventure lodge in the Atacama Desert. That accommodation category has grown over the years, however, the Explora Atacama still stands out with a distinct mix of adventure and luxury. Rates include your room, all meals, all drinks, and all guided excursions. Guides are well-trained and the list of adventure options available to guests of the Explora Atacama is extensive with plenty of options for all sorts of travelers including very challenging outings like climbing Lascar Volcano which is a highlight of our post about active tours in San Pedro de Atacama. The Explora Atacama also has an outstanding equestrian program featuring horses bred especially for the lodge (which Karen spent a lot of time researching for her story about the Explora horseback riding program). The Explora Atacama also has two pools and comfortable and stylish rooms. Recently, the Explora Atacama overhauled its food and beverage program led by chef Virgilio Martinez of chart-topping Central restaurant in Lima, Peru. The property is also currently planning an extensive renovation.

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The Tierra Atacama hotel was the first all-inclusive we stayed at in San Pedro de Atacama and it charmed us with its relaxing pool, bartenders well-versed in using desert ingredients, volcano views, and small group excursions. For more, see our full review of Tierra Atacama for Luxury Latin America and note that as of this writing, the Tierra Atacama was closed for renovation and is likely to re-open better than ever.

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We stayed at the Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa before it became part of the Nayara group (it’s now called the Nayara Alto Atacama). Located about 2 miles (3 km) out of San Pedro de Atacama in the Catarpe Valley, this “Andescape” style all-inclusive impressed us with its focus on the cultures of the region including an entire category of cultural excursions and many local guides. Spa treatments were also influenced by the culture and customs of the place.

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Airbnb in San Pedro de Atacama

As in many popular travel destinations, the number of Airbnbs in San Pedro de Atacama has increased dramatically in recent years. We stayed at one that we’re happy to recommend.

Yes, the unit (which includes a bedroom, a dining area/kitchen combo, and a bathroom) is new and comfortably appointed. Yes, it’s located within a 10-minute walk to the center of town. Yes, this place is pet-friendly. Yes, there’s a secure parking area. But the thing that makes the Warmi listings on Airbnb special is the host. Ilenia is helpful, knowledgeable, and kind whether you simply need travel advice or you’ve got a bigger problem to sort out. Ilenia, who speaks perfect English, has three units in the same location (where she also lives with her friendly dog) and each has a slightly different layout. None have air-conditioning but there are fans and we managed even during a summer heatwave.

Note: By using the affiliate booking links in this post, your price remains the same and we receive a small commission which helps keep our Trans-Americas Journey travel blog ad-free. These links do not influence our recommendations and our opinions remain our own.

 

Here’s more about travel in Chile

Here’s more about Adventure Travel in the Americas

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