San Pedro de Atacama, Chile: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]

Traveling to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile? If you're planning to go to San Pedro de Atacama, we've got some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.

When to go to San Pedro de Atacama
Important essentials for San Pedro de Atacama
Activities 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

About your travel guide

Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.

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 essentials 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.

COVID-19 ESSENTIALS FOR 2022

Kids' KN95 masks

N95 masks aren't sold for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).
Travel insurance

If you or a companion get COVID-19, your amazing trip can be ruined. Good travel insurance can help. See plans
N95 masks to use in crowded airports

These N95 masks provide the best level of protection available.
Hand sanitizer

This hand sanitizer is an excellent TSA-friendly option.
Travel disinfecting wipes

Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.
A vaccine card protector

Vaccine cards frequently wear away. An unreadable vaccination card can cause severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps stop that.

General health necessities

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.

Oximeter to check blood oxygen

Like this
Consider asking your doctor about Diamox
Supplements

Ginko biloba or other supplements (ask your doctor before using)
Over-the-counter medicine

Ibuprofen

Virus/bacteria filtering water bottle

Some areas of this country may have unreliable tap water, so it's wise to have a contaminant filtering water bottle.
Travel first aid kit

This one is a excellent option.
Emergency motion sickness relief
- Pills
- Wristband

Don't forget these

Power bank for devices

A portable power bank, like this one
For families with young children
Plug adapter

A plug adapter that supports outlet types C and L. This one works in most countries, but check with your hotel.
Voice and data SIM card

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 more rural areas you may need a satellite phone. We recommend this satellite phone.
Airplane or car necessities
- our favorite airplane pillow
- a great inflatable travel pillow
- a luggage lock
- entertainment
Luggage protection

Theft can be a problem, so lock your luggage. We recommend this lock.
Money/passport pouch

A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

What to wear/what to pack for San Pedro de Atacama, Chile by month

Already know when you're traveling?

January

January in San Pedro de Atacama is balmy. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the low 30s F (single digits C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Lip balm

In our opinion, the best pick: this one
Light gloves or mittens
Fleece
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls
Jacket or coat
Extra socks
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls
Warm pants or jeans
Standard footwear

February

February in San Pedro de Atacama is mild. Temperatures average in the low 60s F (low 20s C) during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

Extra socks
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls
Lip balm

In our opinion, the best is: here
Warm pants or jeans
Light gloves or mittens
Jacket or coat
Fleece
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls
Standard footwear

March

If you are traveling to San Pedro de Atacama in March, you will notice that it is balmy. Daytime temperatures are in the low 60s F (low 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Warm pants or jeans
Jacket or coat
Fleece
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls
Light gloves or mittens
Lip balm

In our opinion, the best option: this
Extra socks
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls
Standard footwear

April

Traveling to San Pedro de Atacama in April, you will notice that it can be chilly. Daytime temperatures are in the 60s F (high 10s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Light gloves or mittens
Extra socks
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls
Lip balm

In our opinion, the best is: here
Warm pants or jeans
Jacket or coat
Fleece
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls
Standard footwear

May

May in San Pedro de Atacama is crisp. Temperatures average in the high 50s F (mid 10s C) during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

Insulated water bottle

Our best choice:

this
Lip balm

Our pick: this
Sweaters
- for women
- for men
Heavy jacket
- for men
- for women
Gloves
Warm pants or jeans
- for women
- for men
Heavy socks

Such as:
- for adults
- for kids
Cold weather footwear
- for women
- for kids

June

June here is pretty cool. Temperatures average in the low 50s F (single digits C) during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

Extreme cold weather gloves
Insulated ice boots

We use:
Thermal undergarments

Our picks:
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls
Scarf/neck warmer

our favorite
Extreme weather jacket shell

These are a great value:
- for men
- for women
Very heavy heated socks

Like these
Fleece inner layer
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls
Pajamas
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls
Coveralls/snow pants

Here are some of the best choices:
Heavy sweaters
- for women
- for men
Lip balm

The best is: here

July

July 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:

Very heavy heated socks

Like these
Scarf/neck warmer

our favorite
Fleece inner layer
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls
Extreme weather jacket shell

These are a great value:
- for men
- for women
Heavy sweaters
- for women
- for men
Coveralls/snow pants

Here are some of the best values:
Extreme cold weather gloves
Insulated ice boots

We use:
Lip balm

The best pick: here
Pajamas
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls
Thermal undergarments

Our picks:
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls

August

August for San Pedro de Atacama is pretty cool. Temperatures average in the low 50s F (single digits C) during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

Insulated ice boots

We use:
Thermal undergarments

Our choice is:
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls
Very heavy heated socks

Like these
Heavy sweaters
- for women
- for men
Pajamas
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls
Fleece inner layer
- for men
- for women
- for boys
- for girls
Extreme weather jacket shell

These are a great value:
- for men
- for women
Extreme cold weather gloves
Coveralls/snow pants

Here are some of the best choices:
Lip balm

The best option: this one
Scarf/neck warmer

our favorite

September

Traveling to San Pedro de Atacama in September, you will notice that it is relatively cool. Daytime temperatures are in the low 60s F (mid 10s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Insulated water bottle

Our pick:

this
Gloves
Lip balm

Our pick is: this one
Sweaters
- for women
- for men
Heavy jacket
- for men
- for women
Warm pants or jeans
- for women
- for men
Heavy socks

Such as:
- for adults
- for kids
Cold weather footwear
- for women
- for kids

October

October for San Pedro de Atacama is chilly. Temperatures average in the low 60s F (mid 10s C) during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

Heavy socks

Such as:
- for adults
- for kids
Gloves
Heavy jacket
- for men
- for women
Lip balm

Our favorite option: this one
Insulated water bottle

Our best choice:

this
Sweaters
- for women
- for men
Warm pants or jeans
- for women
- for men
Cold weather footwear
- for women
- for kids

November

November in San Pedro de Atacama can be chilly. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the high 20s F (single digits below 0 C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Warm pants or jeans
- for women
- for men
Heavy jacket
- for men
- for women
Heavy socks

Such as:
- for adults
- for kids
Sweaters
- for women
- for men
Lip balm

Our choice: this
Gloves
Insulated water bottle

Our first choice:

this
Cold weather footwear
- for women
- for kids

December

If you vacation in San Pedro de Atacama during December, you might notice that it is balmy. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 60s F (low 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 30s F (single digits C).