Travel Secrets of the ATACAMA desert, Chile

[@SomethingToRemember]

Are there any other tips you would suggest before making the trip to Atacama?

[@elfiulia91]

Hey Guys. Why not book a car from Calama Airport ?

[@SomethingToRemember]

Because we really suggest you to go to Bolivia:)

[@kalef1234]

@@SomethingToRemember ahhhh okay makes sense, I booked one from the airport and am dropping it off in Antofagasta 5 days later. so it can make sense but yeah maybe I should've hit up Bolivia!

[@alainmaury5941]

Lots of things can be said about this video. I live in San Pedro since 20 some years. I don't do touristic tours, so am talking freely from my experience here. First, there are at least 3 ATM machines in San Pedro and most agencies, hotels, etc... take credit cards. There is a thing in Chile about credit card and debit card, but normally you can pay with your plastic card (maybe not in some airbnb, but in hotels, obviously yes). Second, yes, cheaper to rent a 4x4 vehicle than to take tours with an agency. Yes, or no. Car rental 100 bucks or so per day (plus the gasoline). Then if you are 4, it's economical, if you are one or two persons, I don't think so. It's true that if you have your vehicle you can stop freely when you feel like it. But local guides know the place and (normally) can show you things you would never find alone. The other option (more expensive) is to rent a private guide to go around. There are many people around, who speak english and who can show you the place like you will not discover alone. I would recommend that if you don't take the trip to Bolivia and continue your trip from Bolivia, rent in Calama in a very well known car rental agency, more security (one starts with an A, the other with an H). Third, Laguna Miscanti and Miniques, yes, it's very stupid but indeed you have to purchase the ticket in Socaire. Otherwise you go up, then have to go down, purchase the damned ticket then go up again. Ridiculous. Fourth, many other things to see around. Laguna Baltinache, Laguna Tebinquinche, Rainbow valley, Tatio geysers, etc... 2 days is clearly not enough time. Fifth, purchasing pasta and cooking them in the airbnb is indeed the economical solution. But there are many good restaurants around, with typical food. You can also order spaghetti bolognese, but did you come to the Atacama to eat pastas and pizzas ? Lastly, predicting weather is an art, not a science. On average, if we have rain, it tends to be in January and February (the so called altiplanic winter). There have been years where the rain was so intense that the roads/tracks to the various places were closed. I tend to recommend not to come in January and February. Nice video.

[@anthonywatts2033]

we were there 12 months ago. Truly amazing. We avoid the car issue by working with tour groups - we did have the advantage of a local that we knew! We didn't find any of the tours expensive at all (we are Australian/Canadian, by way of background). San Pedro De Atacama is well worth exploring on its own... great bars and cafes

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thank you for your comment 😊 What we mean is that tours are indeed more expensive than renting a car and you definitely get much more freedom

[@amandaf7220]

Your last tip about the tickets saved us today. Thank you!!

[@SomethingToRemember]

Phew! That was close 😅 Hope you’re enjoying the Atacama!

[@joshkeir8784]

This video is unreal! Great to see you guys growing and living the dream 🍾😍

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thanks a lot Josh😍🥹

[@benpreston2911]

Hey guys, thankyou for making this video, everything was spot on and it made planning are to the Atacama really easy ! Safe travels.

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thank you for your comment❤️

[@UmarAbbasRYK]

Spent a night in atacama desert is my dream 😵‍💫... You are really enjoying your life, stay safe and keep it up guys 👍

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thanks a lot☺️hope your dream comes true😍

[@CynthiaYoung-r6s]

This video is soooo helpful as we're planning our trip! Thanks so much!

[@SomethingToRemember]

Great to know, thanks☺️ enjoy your travels!

[@irismaria8819]

I love your videos, they are informative, funny and I never feel the urge to fast forward out of boredom which often happens when watching other travel channels ;-)

[@SomethingToRemember]

Ah that’s so nice, thank you 💚☺️

[@danielantoniozd26]

That’s awesome. I’m planning my trip. These are great ideas. Thank you.

[@SomethingToRemember]

Glad to know☺️❤️

[@furrycoolportraits4988]

thank you for sharing this helpful information about holiday tips in chile and Argentina. We are going there in december and so glad to found your channel. Side question, how many batteries dif you bring for your drone ?

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thank you, glad to hear☺️ we have 3 batteries 😊 enjoy your travels!

[@mellamokatieq]

This video is soooo helpful as we're planning our trip! Thanks so much!

[@SomethingToRemember]

Aw ☺️ we are really glad to hear that! Enjoy your adventure there😍

[@michaelsalone1967]

Hey guys, thanks so much for making this video! We are just planning our trip and this was super helpful! We'll be looking at your other videos and have "liked" and "subscribed" of course. If you ever get to Malta let us know!

[@SomethingToRemember]

Yay, thank you 😍enjoy!

[@Soc88]

so glad this popped up as I’m planning a trip to SA … thanks for sharing the info … 😋

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thanks a lot, enjoy your travels through South America😍

[@TheRchy]

Loved your video. Your videos are truly informative so i have subscribed. Really appreciate the tips you give

[@SomethingToRemember]

Glad to know you found it useful, thanks☺️😍

[@sunainakothari7378]

Have been following your channel since last 2 months as we are planning to do a tour to Chile and Argentina....your videos are beautiful as well as perfectly informative....❤

[@SomethingToRemember]

Great to hear the videos have helped 🙌 Enjoy your trip!

[@belisacintra4727]

Just subscribe to your channel! Im planning a South America trip for next year and definitely your videos are helping me!!

[@SomethingToRemember]

Aw we are really glad to hear it!😍

[@TheKevinbuckley]

Amazing vid as always guys 👏🤩

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thanks a lot😍❤️

[@avd1sc0v3r5]

That was helpful thanks! Subbing. Excited to see the other trips you have done!

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thanks a lot☺️❤️

[@Choumine9754]

Thank you for the tips!

[@SomethingToRemember]

You’re welcome! 😊

[@jasperjohns5956]

Super video!

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thanks a lot❤️

[@jyothishankar5834]

Hi! Lovely and helpful video. May I ask why you recommend booking a rental car in San Pedro versus in Calama Airport? We have booked one already at Calama Airport and so wondered. We get there in November. Hope to hear feom you about that.

[@SomethingToRemember]

Hi! Thanks for the feedback… The reason we said that is because we recommended going into Bolivia directly from San Pedro… If you aren’t going to Bolivia then you can of course rent your vehicle in Calama and return it there ☺️ Sorry for the confusion! Have a great time 🇨🇱

[@qwicoman]

Thank vou very much for this helpful video! We are going to Atacama desert next week. What time did you leave San Pedro on the first day of your trip in the Atacama Desert?

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thanks! Not sure, probably 6-7am

[@williamribeiro863]

Going next month! Thanks for the tips 🎉

[@SomethingToRemember]

Glad to hear it☺️Enjoy!

[@Vizhii]

Useful tips

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thanks! Enjoy☺️

[@wesmaly]

Great videos, I subscribed! Did you need to make any reservations for Valley of the Moon? I read only that they limit the number of people that can enter per day..

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thank you😊 we only went to the viewing area

[@fionagallagher3622]

Looks unreal 😍

[@SomethingToRemember]

It’s an amazing place☺️

[@804dallasmd]

Very helpful thanks !

[@SomethingToRemember]

Cheers☺️

[@TAWYear6]

Just subscribed- thanks. Planning a trip for next July after a wonderful holiday in Argentina this year. How did you find the altitude? I’m concerned about having enough time to acclimatise.

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thank a lot! Thankfully we didn’t have any problems! The town is at 2300m so it’s fine, some sights are at 4000m and above, but we weren’t there for too long so the only thing we experienced was shortness of breath. Take care and enjoy your travels!

[@DHAGMANN2]

Great informative video with great drone shots. Experienced any problems while using a drone in Chile?

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thank you, glad it helped! ☺️ We had no problems with our drone whatsoever. In our experience, the only countries in Latin America that have a problem with drones are Nicaragua and Belize. P.S. Ours is a DJI Air 2S, in case you were wondering 😊

[@DHAGMANN2]

I am going to travel to Chile this November with my Dji Mavic 2 Pro.

[@SomethingToRemember]

You’ll love it! Beautiful country ☺️

[@TheAstrocast]

Great video! I'm planning a trip to Chile and this is excellent info! Did you see the Milky Way?

[@TheAstrocast]

Oh also you have a new sub 😊

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thanks! Believe it or not but it was cloudy at night 😅🤪

[@dirkstuff5820]

Im planning a 30-day motorcycle trip through Patagonia from Santiago. Do you think I’d be able to add a trip to the Atacama region? No flying, just riding the motorbike.

[@SomethingToRemember]

It’s pretty far, but would be a great adventure 😊

[@SomethingToRemember]

It’s pretty far but would be a great adventure 😊

[@alanwaterworth6464]

@SomethingToRemember Hi , love your channel, you provide so many useful tips for our upcoming trip to South America

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thank you! 😊 It’s quite dry there, but it was even worse when we went to Bolivia-so be sure to bring plenty of moisturizer, lip balm, and eye drops. It's also quite cold at night, so you'll definitely need a jacket and lots of layers. We wore warm clothes everywhere, from Patagonia to the south of Colombia, as we traveled through the Andes. Enjoy your travels 💚

[@張小燕-w3q]

Great vídeo!!! I’m going next month! Did you guys think it’s safe for a woman to sleep in her car in a not so far away spot just to see the stars?

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thanks! It’s quite deserted there 😅 but I’m really not sure, maybe it’s better to get up in the middle of the night instead

[@jackwatsonepic626]

I fully agree with you coming from England Northeast Teesside. Great Britain UK and Ireland we know all about rain clouds in this part , don't we.😂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇪

[@SomethingToRemember]

Oh we know a rain cloud when we see one 😂

[@Ahmedvision99]

Hi, at which month did you take the trip.. Is it ok to go to Atachama during the southern winter (June/July)?! Thank you and a great video.

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thank you! We think so, it might get very cold at night though, but we’ve heard it’s less touristy

[@kalef1234]

The sky quality is also more consistent and better in the winter. Less distortion and better conditions for star gazing. But either way pretty sure it's great there no matter what

[@jeromehallan2775]

Just out of curiosity, was your truck 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive? Do you think you could manage most of the roads with a 2 wheel drive vehicle?

[@SomethingToRemember]

Hi! It was a 2-wheel drive Toyota Hilux. No need for 4-wheel drive but the road to Lagunas Miniques and Miscanti are REALLY bumpy so a bigger vehicle is advised. Something else to consider is that when we rented our truck, we weren’t permitted to drive to Laguna Baltinache due to the state of the road!

[@treviss22]

Does cellphone GPS apps work properly there? Thanks for this video!

[@SomethingToRemember]

Yeah we had no problems with that 😊

[@carlosavendano8428]

Bonitos lugares

[@SomethingToRemember]

😍🙌🏻

[@SomethingToRemember]

Amazing😍

[@joecarroll2694]

Great video. We are spending a few days in the Aticama next February. You mention at the end of the video not to hire a car at Atacama airport, but you don't say why. Why is this please?

[@SomethingToRemember]

Because we really advise you to go to Bolivia afterwards😊 This way you don’t have to come back to Calama and go straight to Bolivia from San Pedro. But it’s up to you, of course☺️

[@backfire1853]

Great video and the tips are quite helpful. I'm planning to visit the Atacama soon with my drone, but it is said on the internet that drone is largely not allowed over the Atacama. So, any tips regarding flying a drone would be really appreciated.

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thanks for your comment 😊 We never fly it anywhere we see a “no drone” sign but apart from that it was fine.

[@backfire1853]

@@SomethingToRemember Thanks! That's really helpful.

[@inttubu1]

Hi great vid ! Hoots mon! You don’t say why you should pick up your rental car at san Pedro and Not at Calama Airport?

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thanks a lot☺️ because we really suggest you to go to Bolivia and the tours there go directly from San Pedro de Atacama. But if you are only visiting Chile, of course it’s more convenient to get it in Calama😊

[@4ka_tiff]

so helpful thank you!! whats wrong with buying food in chile?

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thank you! It’s just a budgeting tip for travelers like us. If you are on a holiday it’s different 😊

[@pilarnew9848]

Flights from santiago to atacama seem expensive online. Did you buy yours just before flight and once you were already in Santiago? I am going in june

[@SomethingToRemember]

We bought them when we were in Patagonia! I guess a week in advance

[@tswiercz]

Hi @SomethingToRemember, I plan to go there for 2 days this December, without Bolivia unfortunately :( Why do you suggest to rent a car at San Pedro, not at Calama?

[@SomethingToRemember]

Hi, thanks for your comment! If you aren’t going to Bolivia you can rent a car in Calama no problem 😊

[@Venkatakrishnan-cv2pv]

Super

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thanks☺️

[@echidnaspikes8563]

Thank you for the video! I must have missed it, but why is it better to rent a can in San Pedro, not Calama? Is it because you were not going back to Calama? I will have a round trip C-SP-C and was thinking about driving both ways. Another question - was there a problem with the fuel in SP?

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thank you for your comment! If you aren’t going to Bolivia, you can rent a car in Calama😊 there is a petrol station in San Pedro so getting fuel is not a problem. Enjoy your travels!☺️

[@echidnaspikes8563]

@@SomethingToRemember Thank you!

[@LG-LiGeo]

Hey my dear I fly next month to San Pedro . did you have a headache?

[@SomethingToRemember]

Hi! No, we were fine 😊

[@LG-LiGeo]

@@SomethingToRemember thank you! How many day you spend there ? Did you fly von Santiago to Calama? I ask because to understand about acclimatization! Thank you

[@SomethingToRemember]

We spent 3 nights in San Pedro 😊 Yes, we flew from Santiago to Calama, then took a transfer to San Pedro & rented our truck. Then, after 3 days, we took a tour from San Pedro to Uyuni in Bolivia 🇧🇴

[@LG-LiGeo]

@@SomethingToRemember I will do the same. I book also 3 night and now I thought may be is not enough for acclimatization. Thank you for your time and quickly answer.

[@SomethingToRemember]

No problem. We never have trouble with altitude sickness but if it’s a problem for you maybe you should buy some medication before you 😊

[@olivialands5661]

Where abouts did you rent the car from please? Do you have to rent it from the airport or can you do it in San Pedro? Thank you!

[@SomethingToRemember]

Everything is in the video 😊

[@cinqueterrevideos8029]

A question: why did you take a car in San Pedro and not in Calama? I see in Calama price for 5 nights starts with 130 euro for small car and 200 for SUV. And here you paid much more. I am planning a trip now :)

[@SomethingToRemember]

We have explained it - we don’t have a credit card. And we didn’t come back to Calama, we went to Bolivia from San Pedro

[@cinqueterrevideos8029]

@@SomethingToRemember Ah! It's due to credit card, thanks! I am going to Bolivia as well, but planning to leave the car in Calama and get back then by bus :) Thanks!

[@SomethingToRemember]

Enjoy!😊

[@ThugginGame-sb3du]

Didn't know so many foreigners visited san pedro de atacama

[@buskavideos619]

new sub :)

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thanks a lot❤️☺️

[@likethuii]

hey, I just discovered your channel bc we are planning to go to Chile in 2024. Thank you for your helpful information! We only have 4 days in atacama, would you rather stay in the atacama region or would you definitely jo on the trip to Bolivia? Bolivia also looks so nice! We could not decide 😢😂

[@SomethingToRemember]

We spent 2/3 days in the Atacama and then took a 3-day tour to Uyuni and then moved northwards with our trip. You can also get a tour from San Pedro de Atacama that will go all the way to Uyuni and then back to San Pedro. I think it’s a 4-day tour & sounds like it would be a good option for you ☺️

[@likethuii]

@@SomethingToRemember thank you for your response! Do you know if the tour also includes stops in Atacama Chile or only in Bolivia? Or let me just re-ask the question: would you prefer atacama or that tour to Bolivia if you have to decide for one of both? I know, both landscapes have their own charme and watching your videos made it even more difficult for us to decide bc everything looks so beautiful and quite easy to organise. But unfortunately our time is very limited :(

[@SomethingToRemember]

@@likethuii Oh now I understand. No, the Uyuni tours from San Pedro just pick you up at your accommodation and go straight to the Bolivian border. You’d have to explore the Atacama and then do the Bolivian tour after. Ehmm, good question. Both were incredible! The Atacama is more liberal in the sense that you can rent a truck and go wherever you want, we really love the sense of being independent. Southern Bolivia (the geysers/Uyuni etc), can’t be done on your own so it’s a little bit restrictive but the scenery and whole experience is unbelievable … I won’t sit on the fence, if I were going back tomorrow, I’d choose the Bolivia tour! 😅 Mark

[@SomethingToRemember]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2GonGeeiNOseLcsi=z4x_ao4IG90PfhoT We go into depth about the Bolivia tour from San Pedro in this video ☺️

[@likethuii]

@@SomethingToRemember of course I have already watch this video and loved it!! Thank you and sorry that I made you choose 🫣😊

[@Optimumhealthandfitness]

Hello - Why are you advising against car rental in Calama, but instead San Pedro ? Thanks.

[@SomethingToRemember]

Hey, because we really recommend going into Bolivia from San Pedro😅☺️You can rent cars in Calama, but the tours into southern Bolivia start in San Pedro 👍🏻

[@themiddletruth]

Really great video, only somewhat informative though, as it should start with what month, and beginning or end of month and year.

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thanks! If you are trying to ask what the best time to go is, you can go there all year around 👍🏻

[@rvboondocker2559]

Too bad you went all that way and didn’t pay for some tours. Unfortunately you did miss out. Great video though. I love that area.

[@SomethingToRemember]

Well, we like being independent😅 we also skipped some places as we were going to Bolivia. Star gazing tour? We went out at night by ourselves😅

[@hael8680]

Great video, thank you. Do you have to speak Spanish or can you manage with English?

[@SomethingToRemember]

Thanks a lot! A lot of the tour operators spoke English so we didn’t have any trouble booking the tour or renting the truck… But it’s a good idea to download the Spanish language on Google Translate so you don’t get into any awkward situations 😄

[@hael8680]

@@SomethingToRemember What about places like restaurants ?

[@SomethingToRemember]

@@hael8680 Not many people in restaurants speak English anywhere in South America, but you can use Google translate to translate the menus 👍🏻

[@hael8680]

@@SomethingToRemember Why did you say not to eat in restaurants? Also, is there a place to buy grocery if you avoid restaurants?

[@SomethingToRemember]

It’s expensive to eat in restaurants in Chile & the food is nothing special… Yes, of course 😊

[@charlottebatters5183]

At the end you say to rent the car from san pedro rather than calama airport. Why is that? I'm struggling to find anywhere to book online from san Pedro but loads of options from the airport....

[@SomethingToRemember]

Hi. Maybe you missed it, but we said that because we recommended taking a tour from San Pedro into Bolivia and continuing your travels from there. If you are planning on returning to Calama Airport, by all means rent your vehicle from there 😊

[@ivanibanez1273]

what about the night sky!?

[@SomethingToRemember]

We’re not really into star-gazing!

[@vanessad5]

😮

[@mikeball1397]

Am i missing something??? U kept saying San Pedro to socaire was 100km its more 1000 miles!! Thats a big difference, can some one help cos im confused now.

[@SomethingToRemember]

On Google Maps, It’s 89km (1hr 5mins by car) from San Pedro de Atacama to Socaire 👍🏻

[@mikeball1397]

@@SomethingToRemember the only san pedro i can find is next to santiago.

[@AAntony-b3z]

Sorry, but where can tickets like that ti Valle de la Luna be purchased?

[@SomethingToRemember]

That view area is free:)

[@cloned81]

USD, value more consistant? Not in Chile, maybe in Bolivia

[@SomethingToRemember]

Well, they literally give you a $100 discount if you pay with USD 😅

[@MaryEskes-ni7mu]

Seriously, how do you travel/navigate life without a credit card?

[@SomethingToRemember]

Very, very easily… until we try to rent a car 😅

[@remka3650]

Can not watch your video. Was one month ago in South America ... Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Atacama and Peru and I'm crying... had to go back to pay fuckin tax (mean work ) ;/

[@SomethingToRemember]

Look forward to the next trip ☺️

[@roseaf4713]

The landscape is beautiful but I would never travel to San Pedro de Atacama, it is well known as a drug trafficking place where many people have gone missing without a trace including visitors.

[@SomethingToRemember]

That’s the first time we’ve heard anything like that - thanks for your comment 😊

[@ElsaAvalos-d4o]

Que ignorancia tu comentario, que triste Jamas oimos algo asi Solo un estupid no informado cree eso

[@davidn.4839]

HAHAHAHA.....GOOD JOKE....THAT PLACE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH "MANY" MISSING PEOPLE. GOOD STORY TELLER...

[@roseaf4713]

@@davidn.4839 really? Perhaps you should check and find out information. Nothing funny about missing people, I am pretty certain their families would not laugh about your comments. Heavy drug trafficking area, clandestine parties with alcohol and heavy drugs. Locals and foreign people who have gone missing.

[@davidn.4839]

@@roseaf4713 WHAT ARE YOUR EVIDENCES?....THERE IS A CASE OF A YOUNG CHILEAN GUY WHO WAS ABANDONED TO DIE BY A MAFFIA IN THE BOLIVIAN, NOT CHILEAN DESERT, AND TWO MEN MISSING IN THE CHILEAN DESERT...TWO CASES IN 5 YEARS. BESIDES, IT IS KNOWN THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THOSE IS BECAUSE OF A MAN WITH MENTAL PROBLEMS WHO STARTED TO WALK ALONE UNTIL NOT BEING FOUND....SO, YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT OR YOU LIKE TO LIE....