San Pedro de Atacama, Chile: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]
This article contains affiliate links to Amazon and other vendors. We may earn commission from purchases made through these links.
Traveling to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile? If you're planning to go to San Pedro de Atacama, the following is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.
Contents
- When to go to San Pedro de Atacama
- Important essentials for San Pedro de Atacama
- San Pedro de Atacama in January: weather and what to pack
- San Pedro de Atacama in February: weather and what to pack
- San Pedro de Atacama in March: weather and what to pack
- San Pedro de Atacama in April: weather and what to pack
- San Pedro de Atacama in May: weather and what to pack
- San Pedro de Atacama in June: weather and what to pack
- San Pedro de Atacama in July: weather and what to pack
- San Pedro de Atacama in August: weather and what to pack
- San Pedro de Atacama in September: weather and what to pack
- San Pedro de Atacama in October: weather and what to pack
- San Pedro de Atacama in November: weather and what to pack
- San Pedro de Atacama in December: weather and what to pack
When to go to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Based on the climate and weather in San Pedro de Atacama, the best time to go is February. See below for details.
Important esssentials for San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Here are some general tips on what to wear in San Pedro de Atacama, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
San Pedro de Atacama is at a very high altitude, and may result in altitude sickness. For that reason, you will want to pack strong altitude sickness prevention products and treatments.
IMPORTANT COVID-19 PACKING ESSENTIALS
- proof of COVID-19 vaccination if you have it
- vaccine card protector
- N95 masks for top protection
- kids' KN95 masks
- hand sanitizer
- touchless thermometer
- travel disinfecting wipes (for plane, etc)
- Consider asking your doctor about Diamox
- Oximeter to check blood oxygen, like this
- Ibuprofen
- Ginko biloba or other supplements (ask your doctor before using)
- A plug adapter that supports outlet types C and L. This one works in most areas, but check with your hotel.
- A portable power bank, like this one
- A SIM card that works in San Pedro de Atacama. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying. In some locations you may need a satellite phone. We recommend this satellite phone
- If you plan to visit a church, make sure to bring appropriate clothing
- Theft can be a problem, so pack theft protection, including locks for luggage and a money belt or pouch. We recommend this one
- Appropriate museum wear
- Bicycle friendly attire, if you plan on biking anywhere
- Emergency water purifier
- For families with young children:
- Monturaqui travelers often do a lot of walking, so a lightweight backpack like this is essential
- Airplane or car necessities:
- Photography items that we like:
- cell phone photography gimbal
- camera drone for outdoor shots
- extra batteries
- extra memory cards
What to wear/what to pack for San Pedro de Atacama, Chile by month
January
January in San Pedro de Atacama is mild. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the low 30s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Light gloves or mittens
- Fleeces
- Socks
- Lip balm
- Warm pants or jeans
- Jacket or coat
- Standard footwear
February
February in this region is balmy. Temperatures average in the low 60s F (low 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Socks
- Warm pants or jeans
- Fleeces
- Light gloves or mittens
- Lip balm
- Jacket or coat
- Standard footwear
March
March in San Pedro de Atacama is balmy. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the low 30s F (single digits below 0 C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Light gloves or mittens
- Warm pants or jeans
- Fleeces
- Jacket or coat
- Socks
- Lip balm
- Standard footwear
April
April in San Pedro de Atacama is chilly. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the low 30s F (single digits below 0 C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Lip balm
- Fleeces
- Warm pants or jeans
- Jacket or coat
- Socks
- Light gloves or mittens
- Standard footwear
May
If you are traveling to San Pedro de Atacama in May, you will notice that it is crisp. Daytime temperatures are in the high 50s F (mid 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Heavy socks, such as:
- Heavy jacket
- Warm pants or jeans
- Insulated water bottle
- Sweaters
- Gloves or mittens
- Lip balm
- Cold weather footwear
June
June in San Pedro de Atacama is cold. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the 10s F (single digits below 0 C), with a few days below 0 F (10+ below zero C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Pajamas
- Lip balm
- Fleeces
- Very heavy socks, or heated socks like these
- Heavy sweaters:
- Insulated boots. We use:
- Thermal undergarments. We love:
- Multiple layer jacket shell:
- Coveralls; here are some of our favorites:
- Scarf our favorite
- Gloves
July
If you go to San Pedro de Atacama in July, you will notice that it can be brisk. Daytime temperatures are in the low 50s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Multiple layer jacket shell:
- Thermal undergarments. We suggest:
- Pajamas
- Very heavy socks, or heated socks like these
- Coveralls; here are some of our favorites:
- Heavy sweaters:
- Fleeces
- Gloves
- Lip balm
- Scarf our favorite
- Insulated boots. We use:
August
If you go to San Pedro de Atacama in August, you will notice that it can be very chilly. Daytime temperatures are in the low 50s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Very heavy socks, or heated socks like these
- Gloves
- Multiple layer jacket shell:
- Coveralls; here are some of our favorites:
- Fleeces
- Thermal undergarments. We love:
- Pajamas
- Heavy sweaters:
- Lip balm
- Insulated boots. We use:
- Scarf our favorite
September
September is relatively cool. Temperatures average in the low 60s F (mid 10s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Lip balm
- Heavy jacket
- Insulated water bottle
- Warm pants or jeans
- Heavy socks, such as:
- Gloves or mittens
- Sweaters
- Cold weather footwear
October
If you are traveling to San Pedro de Atacama in October, you will notice that it is crisp. Daytime temperatures are in the low 60s F (mid 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Lip balm
- Insulated water bottle
- Gloves or mittens
- Heavy jacket
- Warm pants or jeans
- Sweaters
- Heavy socks, such as:
- Cold weather footwear
November
November in San Pedro de Atacama is cool. Temperatures average in the 60s F (high 10s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Insulated water bottle
- Warm pants or jeans
- Heavy socks, such as:
- Gloves or mittens
- Heavy jacket
- Lip balm
- Sweaters
- Cold weather footwear
December
If you go to San Pedro de Atacama in December, you will notice that it is mild. Daytime temperatures are in the high 60s F (low 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Light gloves or mittens
- Jacket or coat
- Lip balm
- Socks
- Warm pants or jeans
- Fleeces
- Standard footwear
Check out our guides for these other locations: Glenorchy, New Zealand, Rajshahi District, Bangladesh, Ruskington, England, United Kingdom, Tring, England, United Kingdom, Greek Islands, Greece, South Bohemia, Czech Republic, Rhayader, Wales, United Kingdom, Henan, China, Corniglia, Italy, Sterling, Virginia, United States of America, and Eftimie Murgu, Romania.