Trying to decide where to stay in Chile’s Atacama Desert? These hotel recommendations will save you hours of research.
Trying to choose between the many Atacama Desert hotels can get overwhelming fast.
Bill and I spent 17 nights exploring the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile and quickly learned that where you stay can have a big impact on your trip. Some hotels put you within walking distance of restaurants and tour offices, while others offer more space, quieter surroundings, and darker skies for stargazing.
The town of San Pedro de Atacama is the main gateway to the region, so this guide focuses on the best hotels in and around San Pedro.
Whether you’re looking for a luxury desert retreat, a comfortable mid-range hotel, or a budget-friendly place to sleep between adventures, these are the Atacama Desert hotels I would shortlist first. I’ve done the research so you can skip the analysis paralysis and get back to planning the fun part of your trip.
Some of the links in this guide are affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small referral commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend hotels I would personally consider booking myself.
Quick Verdict: My Top Atacama Desert Hotel Picks
If you just want my short list, these are the Atacama Desert hotels I would look at first.
- Best Overall Hotel: #4 Naturalis Hotel
- Best Luxury Hotel: #7 Nayara Alto Atacama
- Best Mid-Range Hotel: #5 Hotel Pascual Andino
- Best Budget Hotel: #1 Hostal Casa los Duendes
- Best Apartment Stay: #3 Casa Desert
- Best for Stargazing: #2 Peumayen Atacama Cabaña & Hostal
- Best Larger Hotel With More Room Choices: #6 Hotel La Casa de Don Tomás
If one of these properties feels like the right fit for your trip, I wouldn’t wait too long to book. San Pedro de Atacama has a surprisingly limited number of quality hotels, and the best San Pedro de Atacama hotels often book up months in advance.
Best Budget Atacama Desert Hotels (<$200 Night)
You don’t need to spend a fortune on accommodations to enjoy the Atacama Desert. These budget-friendly properties offer three very different experiences: a simple guesthouse near town, a peaceful countryside retreat with incredible stargazing, and an apartment-style stay with room to spread out.
#1 Hostal Casa Los Duendes
- Type: Budget guesthouse
- Why stay here: What stands out most about Hostal Casa Los Duendes isn’t the rooms—it’s the atmosphere. Guests consistently rave about the warm hospitality from Veronica and her team, the spotless accommodations, and the peaceful setting just outside the center of San Pedro. The property offers mountain views, outdoor seating areas, a well-equipped shared kitchen, and enough distance from town to feel quiet without feeling isolated.
- Good to know: The final stretch to the property is along a dark, unpaved lane. It’s only about a 10-minute walk from the center of San Pedro, but you’ll want a flashlight or phone light if you’re returning after dark.
- Why pick this option: Choose Hostal Casa Los Duendes if you’d rather stay somewhere welcoming and relaxed than right in the middle of the tourist activity. It’s one of the best budget options for travelers who value hospitality, cleanliness, and a quieter setting close to town.
#2 Peumayen Atacama Cabaña & Hostal
- Type: Budget lodge and cabins
- Why stay here: Peumayen Atacama Cabaña & Hostal offers a completely different experience from most budget accommodations around San Pedro. Located several miles outside town in the quiet desert countryside, it feels far removed from the bustle of tour vans and busy streets. The peaceful setting and dark skies make it one of the most appealing budget stays for stargazers.
- Good to know: You’ll likely want a rental car if you stay here. Restaurants, shops, and tour offices are not within walking distance.
- Why pick this option: Choose Peumayen if you’d rather wake up surrounded by the desert than stay close to town. It’s one of the best options for travelers who value peace, quiet, and incredible night skies full of stars
#3 Casa Desert
- Type: Apartment-style stay
- Why stay here: Casa Desert offers something many Atacama hotels don’t: space. With apartment-style accommodations, a kitchen, and room to spread out, it feels more like a temporary home than a hotel room. This can be especially appealing after long days exploring the desert.
- Why pick this option: This is my favorite budget option for longer stays, families, or travelers who prefer the flexibility of preparing some of their own meals. It’s also close enough to walk into San Pedro for dinner while giving you more independence than a traditional hotel.
If all these properties are sold out for your dates, I’d also check availability at Cabañas La Marca, Cabaña San Pedrina, or Hostal Pablito.
Best Mid-Range Atacama Desert Hotels ($200-500/night)
If you have a little more room in your budget, these are the Atacama Desert hotels I would focus on first. Each offers a different experience, whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat, a boutique hotel close to restaurants, or a larger property with plenty of room options.
#4 Naturalis Hotel
- Type: Boutique hotel
- Why stay here: If Bill and I return to the Atacama Desert, I’d book the Naturalis Hotel. It’s a quiet retreat on the edge of San Pedro, surrounded by greenery and open space rather than dusty streets and tour traffic. Located near Valle de la Luna, it feels removed from town while still being close enough to reach restaurants and attractions with a short drive. Guests consistently praise the attentive staff, excellent breakfast, and spotless rooms.
- Good to know: Naturalis is not within easy walking distance of the restaurants and tour agencies in central San Pedro. Most travelers will be happier with a rental car here.
- Why pick this option: Choose Naturalis if you want a quieter, more relaxing base than staying in town. For travelers who value peace, personalized service, and a beautiful setting over being in the middle of the action, I think this is one of the strongest hotel choices in the Atacama Desert.
#5 Hotel Pascual Andino
- Type: Boutique hotel
- Why stay here: Hotel Pascual Andino combines one of the best locations in San Pedro with the atmosphere of a small boutique hotel. You’re just steps from Caracoles Street, restaurants, shops, and tour offices, yet guests consistently describe the property as a quiet oasis away from the noise and dust. The attractive outdoor spaces, comfortable rooms, excellent breakfast, and thoughtful touches like packed breakfasts for early tours help explain why so many travelers rave about their stay.
- Why pick this option: This is the property I would recommend to most first-time visitors who want to walk to dinner and easily access tours. Choose Hotel Pascual Andino if you want to stay close to everything without sacrificing comfort or tranquility.
#6 Hotel La Casa de Don Tomás
- Type: Full-service hotel
- Why stay here: Hotel La Casa de Don Tomás is one of the most established and popular hotels in San Pedro de Atacama. Unlike many of the smaller boutique properties, it offers a wide variety of room types, generous common spaces, a swimming pool, onsite dining, and plenty of parking. The property sits just outside the busiest part of town, giving guests a little more breathing room while still keeping restaurants and attractions nearby.
- Why pick this option: Choose Hotel La Casa de Don Tomás if you want a dependable, full-service hotel with lots of amenities and room choices. If your preferred boutique hotel is sold out, this is the property I would check next because it appeals to such a wide range of travelers.
If all these properties are sold out for your dates, I’d also check availability at Planeta Atacama Lodge, Hotel Desertica, or Fauna Atacama.
Best Luxury Atacama Desert Hotels (>$500/night)
If your budget allows, the Atacama Desert is home to a handful of world-class luxury properties that are destinations in their own right. These aren’t simply hotels — they’re immersive desert experiences with exceptional service, stunning settings, and curated excursions.
#7 Nayara Alto Atacama
- Type: Luxury desert lodge
- Why stay here: Tucked into a dramatic desert valley near the ancient Pukará de Quitor, Nayara Alto Atacama feels like a private oasis surrounded by mountains. The property blends beautifully into the landscape, with natural stone, native vegetation, outdoor lounges, multiple pools, fire pits, and spacious terraces designed to take advantage of the scenery. Guests consistently praise the exceptional service, excellent food, thoughtful details, and the feeling of being completely immersed in the Atacama Desert while still having every comfort taken care of.
- Why pick this option: Choose Nayara Alto Atacama if you want a luxury experience that still feels connected to the desert. Between the beautiful setting, outstanding hospitality, spa facilities, guided excursions, and observatory, this is the property I would recommend to travelers seeking a high-end Atacama desert retreat with exceptional service and experiences included.
If Nayara is sold out for your dates, I’d also check availability at Tierra Atacama or Explora en Atacama.
Tierra Atacama is known for its all-inclusive luxury experience, exceptional service, and beautifully designed desert setting. Explora en Atacama offers an extensive excursion program and resort-style facilities, making it a popular choice for travelers who want an activity-focused stay with everything arranged for them.
Atacama Desert Hotel FAQs
Should I stay in town, just outside San Pedro, or in the countryside?
For most travelers, I would stay in or just outside San Pedro. Staying closer to town makes it easier to walk to restaurants, shops, and tour offices.
Just outside town can be a sweet spot if you want more quiet, more space, easier parking, and darker skies without feeling too isolated.
Countryside stays can be beautiful and peaceful, especially for stargazing, but you will probably want a rental car.
Because the Atacama is a high-altitude desert, where you stay won’t change the elevation—but planning your sightseeing in the right order certainly can.
If seeing the Milky Way is high on your Bucket List, you’ll also love my complete guide to experiencing the Atacama Desert night sky.
Is the 19% IVA tax included in Atacama Desert hotel prices?
Always double-check before you book. On some Booking.com listings in Chile, the 19% IVA tax is already included in the total. On others, it may be added later.
Before comparing hotels, make sure you are looking at the final price so you do not get surprised when you arrive.
Do I need a rental car in San Pedro de Atacama?
Not necessarily. If you stay close to town and plan to take guided tours, you can visit the Atacama Desert without renting a car. Here’s my guide about how to see Atacama without a car.
But if you stay farther out in the countryside, want to self-drive to attractions, or care a lot about flexibility for sunrise, sunset, and photography stops, having a rental car can make your trip much easier. Here’s my guide about exploring the Atacama by self-driving. We rented our SUV at the airport in Calama before driving over to San Pedro de Atacama.
Where You Stay in the Atacama Desert Matters
I hope this guide helped make choosing between the many Atacama Desert hotels a little easier on you.
Whether you choose a budget guesthouse, a boutique hotel, or a luxury desert retreat, you’re in for an incredible experience. The Atacama Desert is one of the most fascinating places we’ve visited, and I think you’re going to love your time here.
If you book through one of the hotel links in this guide, thank you! It helps support Achieve Your Bucket List at no additional cost to you and allows me to continue creating detailed travel guides like this one.
More Atacama Desert Travel Guides
Here are some more guides about visiting the Atacama Desert and Chile. If you’d like to receive emails when I’ve posted new content to the site, please complete the short form above.
Visit the Atacama Desert: A Self-Drive Guide
Atacama Desert Tours: How to Explore It Without Driving
Atacama Desert Map: Explore The Desert, One Road At A Time
Atacama Desert Altitude – How To Keep It From Ruining Your Trip
Atacama Desert Night Sky: How to Experience the Stars
Atacama Desert Animals: What You Can See & Where
Where to Stay in the Atacama Desert: My Top Hotel Picks for Every Budget
Day Trip #1 – West: Valle De La Luna Atacama + Magic Bus + Ckari Sunset
Day Trip #2 – South: Laguna Chaxa Flamingos + Valle de Jere
Day Trip #3 – Northwest: Rainbow Valley Atacama + Petroglifos Yerbas Buenas
Day Trip #4 – North: Machuca Wetlands + Vado Rio Putana
Day Trip #5 – East: Ruta de los Salares
