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Explore Chile's largest salt flat. Book your guided excursions, secure required entry tickets, and prepare for high altitudes in the Atacama Desert.

Antofagasta Region, Chile

Salar de Atacama

Explore Chile's largest salt flat. Book your guided excursions, secure required entry tickets, and prepare for high altitudes in the Atacama Desert.

See tickets and pricesPlan your visit

5.0 from 182 traveller reviews on Viator

  • 3,000 sq kmArea
  • 2,300 mElevation
  • 3Flamingo species
  • 50 kmFrom San Pedro

Tickets & tours

Choose your Salar de Atacama tour

Compare half-day lagoon visits with full-day high-altitude excursions.

All 6 options
Woman looking through binoculars at a vast desert landscape and lake.Most booked

Day trip10 h 30 min5.0 (182)Free cancellation

Red Stones and Altiplanica Lagoons Salar de Atacama

Besides being the best tour to acclimate with the height, Piedras Rojas is the most complete tour of San Pedro. They will enjoy various types of landscapes and...

  • Homemade natural juices, Brazilian coffee in French press, tea, coca infusion, Fresh bread, Scrambled eggs, palta, cheese, ham, homemade Nutella Queques, strawberry jam, raspberry, damazco
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Tourist Guides

From$95per person

Viator$95GetYourGuideCompare

Best for: acclimating to altitude and exploring diverse landscapes

People floating in a dark blue salt lake with a volcano in background.Best value

Guided tour5 h4.7 (63)Free cancellation

Half-Day Tour to Laguna Cejar

The Salar de Atacama is the largest salt deposit in Chile and is formed by a depression with no water outlet that receives from the San Pedro River and multiple streams...

  • a snack, juice and pisco sour is offered at the end of the tour.

From$35per person

Viator$35GetYourGuideCompare

Best for: a quick visit to the salt flat's famous lagoons

Woman floating on her back in a bright blue salt lake.Top rated

Day trip10 h4.9 (636)Free cancellation

Full Day Tour to Piedras Rojas, Altiplanic Lagoons and Chaxa

This is a classic tour of San Pedro de Atacama. You cannot stop visiting the most impressive landscapes of the...

  • Tickets included Red Stones: $18.75 USD per person ($15,000 CLP)
  • Breakfast included - fruits, bread, juice, coffee, tea, cookies, cheese, cake.
  • Included posts Laguna Chaxa: $15 USD per person ($13,800 CLP)

From$125per person

Viator$125GetYourGuideCompare

Best for: seeing flamingos at laguna chaxa

Explore

Explore the salt flat

Learn about the different zones and lagoons.

All topics
Tour group stands near a white van by a brightly colored lake.3 spotsLaguna ChaxaThe main access point to the salt flat, famous for flamingos.Explore Photo: tour listing on ViatorFlamingo standing in shallow water with reflections of surrounding mountains.3 spotsNorthern LagoonsDeep sinkholes and hyper-saline lagoons in the northern salt flat.Explore Photo: tour listing on ViatorTurquoise pool surrounded by white salt flats and desert mountains.3 spotsExtended Day TripsAttractions often combined with trips to the Salar on full-day tours.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
Salar de Atacama

Advance online reservations are strictly required for entry to Laguna Chaxa.

Cash is not accepted at the gates.

Plan your visit

Plan your trip

Full planner

  • Time needed

    Half-day tours take 4 to 5 hours. Full-day excursions last up to 10 hours.

  • Best season

    Visit between September to November or March to May for mild weather.

  • Getting there

    Drive 50 minutes south of San Pedro de Atacama or join a guided tour.

  • Entry rules

    Digital tickets must be booked online before arrival.

About the Salar de Atacama

Covering roughly 3,000 square kilometers, the Salar de Atacama is the largest salt flat in Chile. It sits at an elevation of 2,300 to 2,400 meters. The surface features a jagged white salt crust hiding vast lithium reserves.

Most visitors head to Laguna Chaxa inside the Los Flamencos National Reserve. This shallow lagoon is a feeding ground for Andean, Chilean, and James's flamingos. See Laguna Chaxa for details.

Other areas include hyper-saline pools where you can float. Read our guide on What to Pack to plan your trip.

View at Salar de Atacama
Salar de Atacama

How we compare tours

  • Verified data

    We use current pricing and schedules.

  • Clear costs

    We tell you if park entry fees are included.

  • Practical advice

    We outline logistics and altitude considerations.

From Viator

Traveler reviews

5.0

182 reviews of the red stones & lagoons tour on Viator

Ivan was an absolute beauty of a guide. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about what he does, which made the whole tour that much more interesting. We were genuinely surprised by how much wildlife we got to see. This was easily the best tour we’ve done in Atacama so far. Horizonte also did a great job with the meals, drinks, and communication throughout. Great value for the money. Highly recommend!
michaelkY7647JI2026-10Viator
An extraordinary experience! Comfort, professionalism, ease of communication, excellent organization, and—last but not least—dedicated guides who turn every trip into an unforgettable memory! Ivan and Fredy, thank you!
Explore604758168832026-10Viator
One of my favour tours in Atacama, Alex our guide was fantastic. Supper friendly and approachable and very knowledgeable. Loved all his facts. Loved all the stops and the charcuterie with pisco sours watching the sunset was lovely. The best spread we had with competitors. The showers facilities were much better than at other salt lagunas.
Dawn_C2026-06Viator
Great for a half day trip. Spectacular views of the volcanos and salt flats. The bathing in the Laguna Sejar was a great experience. Photo opportunities with the salt lakes, lagoons with a backdrop of the Andes - volcanos. The guide Ricio was so knowledgeable in all aspects of flora and fauna and driver Morisio? laid up a table of cocktails and snacks. Much appreciated and would recommend for a half day trip
B4566VBjanl2026-03Viator
We did a number of tours with Pukarumi and they were all very good. This one was. Stunning in terms of scenery. God guide & driver and very tasty food on route. Highly recommend
Avior2026-10Viator
Andres and Jonathan of Pukarumi (activity provider) are so caring, one of our participants suffer from high altitude sickness and walk very slow grasp with oxygen, they were so kind to accompanying her and pick local chuchicandia for her. It was so effective. Beside, the scene was stunning and the breakfast and lunch was so delicious. afterall, it was a perfect experience.
natylaw20192026-10Viator
Really interesting tour in terms of understanding the geology of the area and some amazing views. Our tour guide Brendan was excellent
Simon_K2026-10Viator
Good trip , with excellent Guide and driver. It’s an easy walk around the various lagoons. One of the lagoons for floating in is closed and the other will close end of September 2026 as they need to recover from the pollution we humans deposit when floating. Dressing gowns were provided after floating. A good selection of snacks were enjoyed at the lagoon before returning to the showers and changing area close by.
smithnz2026-09Viator
We booked out this package tour, and so far it has been a wonderful experience. All tours are well organized, and included beautiful spots to visit. The guides are friendly and knowledgeable, and the food provided is delicious. Communication is clear, and the agency is quick to respond. They were also flexible with changing some of the order of the tours which was very helpful. Highly recommended!
guybY5252GI2026-10Viator

Travel tips

Expert tips

All travel tips
Tour photoTickets & BookingCurrent entry fees and advance online booking rules for Laguna Chaxa.Read Tour photoHow to Get ThereCompare driving times, road conditions, and tour options from San Pedro.Read Tour photoBest Time to VisitFind the ideal seasons for pleasant weather and seeing flamingos.Read People swimming and floating in a vivid blue lake in a desert landscape.Uyuni vs AtacamaCompare Chile's rugged, flamingo-filled crust with Bolivia's vast white expanses.Read Flock of flamingos wading in a shallow lake against a desert background.What to PackEssential clothing and gear for the Atacama salt flats.Read Tour group standing on a wooden boardwalk near a salt lake.Salar with KidsFind out if the salt flat is safe and fun for children.Read

FAQ

Quick answers

All questions

Is the Salar de Atacama worth visiting?

Yes. It is the largest salt flat in Chile and home to three species of flamingos. The vast crust also holds shallow, mineral-rich lagoons like Laguna Chaxa.

How do I get to Salar de Atacama from San Pedro?

You can drive south on Route 23 for about 50 to 60 minutes. Alternatively, book a guided tour that includes transport from San Pedro de Atacama. See How to Get There for details.

How much is the entrance fee for Laguna Chaxa?

Entry costs approximately 8,000 to 12,000 CLP for adult foreigners. Advance online reservations are required. Find out more on our Tickets page.

Do I need to book Laguna Chaxa tickets in advance?

Yes, advance online reservations are strictly required for entry. Cash is not accepted at the gates, and you must show a digital ticket.

What is the best time of year to see flamingos in Atacama?

September to November (spring) and March to May (autumn) are the best times. These months offer comfortable temperatures and excellent flamingo viewing. See Best Time to Visit.

What altitude is the Salar de Atacama?

The salt flat is located at an elevation of approximately 2,300 to 2,400 meters (7,500 to 7,900 feet) above sea level.

Salar de Atacama

Ready to visit the Atacama?

Secure your tour and required entry tickets well before you arrive.

Viator$95GetYourGuideCompare

or compare all 6 options