Salar de Atacama and Laguna Chaxa Atacama Desert
Witness three species of flamingos against the surreal backdrop of Chile's largest salt flat, the Salar de Atacama.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
More flamingos feeding
Salar de Atacama and Laguna Chaxa Atacama Desert
Best Time
More flamingos feeding
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Witness three species of flamingos against the surreal backdrop of Chile's largest salt flat, the Salar de Atacama.
"A surrealist landscape, from other planet lines, textures and colours. Breathtaking light and perspectives 360 degrees."
🚗 Easy Drive from San Pedro
A 2x4 car is sufficient to reach Laguna Chaxa. No need for a tour! :car:
📍 Precise Navigation Needed
Don't trust GPS blindly. Use coordinates -23.28, -68.07 or follow signs for Salar de Atacama. :compass:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Laguna Chaxa Flamingos
Salar de Atacama
Witness three species of flamingos against a surreal salt flat backdrop. Best seen feeding in the early morning light.
Surreal Salt Flat Landscapes
Salar de Atacama
Experience otherworldly textures, colors, and vast 360-degree perspectives on this immense salt desert.
Lascar Volcano Views
Overlooking Laguna Chaxa
Enjoy sweeping views of the majestic Lascar Volcano framing the flamingo-filled lagoon.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything for Flamingo Sightings
Navigate with Precision
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Easy Drive from San Pedro
A 2x4 car is sufficient to reach Laguna Chaxa. No need for a tour! :car:
📍 Precise Navigation Needed
Don't trust GPS blindly. Use coordinates -23.28, -68.07 or follow signs for Salar de Atacama. :compass:
🦩 Flamingo Viewing Tips
Visit early for more active feeding. Plenty live here year-round. :camerawithflash:
💧 Visitor Center & Museum
Learn about local geology and wildlife at the well-done museum. :classical_building:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Easy Drive from San Pedro
A 2x4 car is sufficient to reach Laguna Chaxa. No need for a tour! :car:
📍 Precise Navigation Needed
Don't trust GPS blindly. Use coordinates -23.28, -68.07 or follow signs for Salar de Atacama. :compass:
🦩 Flamingo Viewing Tips
Visit early for more active feeding. Plenty live here year-round. :camerawithflash:
💧 Visitor Center & Museum
Learn about local geology and wildlife at the well-done museum. :classical_building:
☀️ Prepare for the Sun
The desert sun is intense. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the surreal, otherworldly landscapes of Salar de Atacama and the magical sight of flamingos at Laguna Chaxa, especially during sunrise. The paved road makes it easily accessible by car, and the visitor center offers valuable insights. However, some find GPS navigation tricky, and flamingo sightings can vary.
"Excellent! Be aware entrance is ticketed and tickets must be bought online. There is patchy 4G but best to buy tickets before leaving SPdA.
Facilities are good and the path to the lake wide and flat.
Enjoy the serenity and the many beautiful birds."
Ben Hindmarsh
"Wonderful
Road coming is a very good, all paved to the site. Don’t expect to see hundreds like on tv.
Come early as there are more feeding.clean toilets
Good staff."
Stephen Lu
"An surrealist landscape, from other planet lines, textures and colours. Breathtaking light and perspectives 360 degrees. Be prepared for q lifetime experience in this Lagoon. The road up to here is a nightmare, but in the end, it is high rewarded with unbeatable levels of feelings and respect for mother nature. To not be avoided from your bucket list in Atacama!"
Flavius
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can easily drive yourself from San Pedro in a 2x4 car, as the road is paved. Many visitors recommend using the coordinates -23.28, -68.07 or following signs for Salar de Atacama and taking the right fork onto the B-355 road to avoid getting routed to a closed gate by GPS.
Tours are also available if you prefer not to drive.
No, a 4x4 is not necessary. The road leading to Laguna Chaxa is paved and accessible with a standard 2x4 car.
The correct coordinates for Laguna Chaxa are -23.28, -68.07. It's crucial to use these or follow specific road signs, as general GPS navigation can lead to closed entrances.
Laguna Chaxa is approximately a 45-minute to 1-hour drive from San Pedro de Atacama, depending on your vehicle and road conditions.
Yes, transfer services from Calama to San Pedro de Atacama are available and typically cost around $15,000 CLP.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yes, there is an entrance fee for Laguna Chaxa. The exact cost can vary, but it's generally a modest fee that contributes to the park's upkeep.
Laguna Chaxa is typically open during daylight hours. Visiting early in the morning is recommended for the best flamingo sightings.
Absolutely! Many visitors find it easy and rewarding to visit Laguna Chaxa independently in their own vehicle.
Advance booking is generally not required for Laguna Chaxa. Tickets can usually be purchased upon arrival.
The entrance fee grants access to the salt flat and its designated paths. It also supports the maintenance of the visitor center and informative signage.
📸 📸 Photography
Early mornings offer soft, beautiful light for photographing the flamingos and the vast salt flats. Sunset also provides a magical glow.
A telephoto lens is useful for capturing close-ups of the flamingos. A wide-angle lens is great for the expansive salt flat landscapes.
Generally, photography is allowed, but always be respectful of the wildlife and the natural environment. Avoid disturbing the flamingos.
Include a person or a recognizable object in your shot to convey the immense scale of the Salar de Atacama.
The Atacama Desert has intense sunlight and high contrast. Be prepared for bright conditions and consider shooting during the golden hours for softer light.
🎫 🦩 Wildlife & Nature
Laguna Chaxa is home to three species of flamingos: the Andean Flamingo, James's Flamingo, and the Chilean Flamingo.
The early morning is considered the best time to see flamingos actively feeding.
While plenty of flamingos live there year-round, their proximity can vary. Visiting early increases your chances of seeing them up close.
Besides flamingos, you might spot various bird species adapted to the saline environment, as well as small reptiles.
Laguna Chaxa is a hypersaline lagoon within the Salar de Atacama, characterized by extreme altitude, dry air, and a vast salt crust.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
The visitor center's museum provides engaging information about the desert's wildlife and geology in both English and Spanish, making it a learning opportunity disguised as fun. 🚗 Independent Travelers
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Remember to protect your gear from the fine salt dust and intense sun. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Salar de Atacama
Beyond Laguna Chaxa, the Salar de Atacama is vast and offers opportunities for exploration. The visitor center at Laguna Chaxa provides valuable context with informative signs about the local geology and wildlife, as well as a small, well-curated museum.
Flamingo Encounters at Laguna Chaxa
These elegant birds thrive in the hypersaline waters, feeding on algae and small crustaceans. To maximize your chances of seeing them, especially in large numbers and actively feeding, it's best to visit early in the morning. Visitors often express surprise at the surreal sight of flamingos against the stark white salt flats and the backdrop of volcanic peaks.
The experience is often described as 'from another planet.' 
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit