Visit the Driest Place in the World: Chile’s Atacama Desert

The Atacama Desert is situated at the northern tip of Chile, between the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Although a small area of southern Peru is usually thought to be part of the Atacama, the majority of the desert is in Chilean territory.

The Atacama is generally thought of as the driest place in the world, with an average rainfall of around 15 millimeters per year. The aridity means the area has been likened to both Mars and the moon, and has even been used as a location for films based on the Red Planet.

Use the small town of San Pedro de Atacama as a base from which to visit the otherworldly landscapes of Valle de la Luna by horse, or take in the El Tatio geyser field. Once you have finished enjoying the nearby sites and the laidback atmosphere of the town itself, take a trip over the Bolivian border via the magnificent salt flats of Uyuni, with many tour operators in town offering three- to four-day tours.

Be advised that given the relatively high altitude of much of the desert, nights get chilly. Take sunblock and lots of thin layers to protect against the elements, and don’t forget to keep your eye on the night sky. The Atacama is home to the world’s biggest telescopes thanks to the incredible visibility, and stargazers will be amazed by the clarity with which the stars appear.