San Pedro de Atacama

Our tour group spent two and a half days at the Hotel Explora in San Pedro de Atacama, visiting surrounding areas. Little time was actually spent in the town, other than driving through it.

The town of San Pedro de Atacama is located at the north end of the Salar de Atacama (a nearly dry salt lake). Surrounding the town is the oasis formed by the Rio San Pedro. A tourist mecca today, the town originally had importance as a stop on the cattle drive route to Salta in Argentina. The town is characterized by narrow streets and unpainted, adobe walls and houses. Tourism and local agriculture in the oasis support the economy today.