Machuca Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Machuca featuring landscape views, cuddly or friendly animals and tranquil scenes
Machuca
Machuca featuring tranquil scenes
Machuca
Machuca which includes tranquil scenes

Get a close look at the traditional clay and straw huts, pretty church and geysers in this quiet rural area.

Machuca is a vast, rural community in a region of many impressive natural sights. Its proximity to some of Chile’s most spectacular sites draws scores of vacationers. See the village itself, where farming llamas is the main activity. The town has a small church and about 20 houses.

Visit the Machuca Church and enjoy its simple design with a white façade, blue-green portals and straw roof.

Clear weather and a lack of light pollution provide excellent viewing opportunities of the night sky. Gaze up at the Milky Way and identify the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere. The tranquility in this quaint commune contrasts with the skyscrapers and traffic of city life. Local residents rely on solar power for energy.

As you venture through this dry land, spot llamas, alpacas, ducks, Andean gulls and flamingos. Try the local cuisine, such as empanadas and llama or alpaca meat.

Travel to the El Tatio Geyser Field, which is just north of Machuca. Arrive in the morning to see steam rising above the oozing pits breaking the surface and generating a post-apocalyptic atmosphere. Bathe in one of the milder natural springs.

Machuca is 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) above sea level, so you may have difficulty breathing at times. Come prepared: Bring medicine for altitude sickness and drink plenty of water. January and February are the hottest months, although the area stays pleasant with blue skies year-round and very little rain.

The borders with Argentina and Bolivia are very close to this rural town in northeastern Chile. Fly from the country’s capital, Santiago de Chile, to the small airport of Calama, which is a 90-mile (145-kilometer) drive west from Machuca. The area is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north along a main highway from San Pedro de Atacama. The journey should take a little less than 2 hours by car.

Leave the noise of the city behind as you venture through the arid mountains of Machuca.

Diego de Almagro San Pedro de Atacama

Diego de Almagro San Pedro de Atacama

3 out of 5
Toconao 460, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta
The price is ₹10,649 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
₹10,649
₹10,649 total
1 Aug - 2 Aug
Stay at this 3-star hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8/10 Very Good! (290 reviews)
"Felt like we were at a resort. Food and facilities were great and close walk to town yet distance enough for a quiet and safe space."

Reviewed on 18 May 2025

Diego de Almagro San Pedro de Atacama
Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama

Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama

4 out of 5
Avenida Las Chilcas S/N, Lote 10 Parcela 2, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta
The price is ₹20,150 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
₹20,150
₹20,150 total
1 Aug - 2 Aug
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Plaza de San Pedro de Atacama ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (437 reviews)
"This is a great hotel with very authentic layout. Rooms are very nice."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama
Hotel Kimal

Hotel Kimal

3.5 out of 5
Domingo Atienza 452, Esq Caracoles, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta
The price is ₹12,720 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
₹12,720
₹12,720 total
4 Aug - 5 Aug
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (153 reviews)
"Hotel Kimal is a fabulous place as a relaxing and convenient base for your San Pedro de Atacama adventures! The staff are friendly and helpful and the courtyard and rooms are beautiful and comfortable. Someone put a lot of thought and care into building and maintaining this hotel. The breakfast that ..."

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

Hotel Kimal
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
casa turis

casa turis

3 out of 5
50 Laguna Lejia, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta Region
Stay at this 3-star holiday home in San Pedro de Atacama. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Artisans Town and Inca House are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Best for budget
"If you have a car, you cannot get it cheaper for the quality in San Pedro, which is notoriously expensive for the mediocre quality of accommodations. It is quiet, spacious and clean, abd has a reasonably well equipped kitchen. The two rooms, bathroom, and kitchen all lead outside to rhe porch, which ..."

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2024

casa turis
Yurak Apart Hotel

Yurak Apart Hotel

2 out of 5
Los Geisers, 169, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta
Stay at this aparthotel in San Pedro de Atacama. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and satellite TV channels. Popular attractions Artisans Town and Inca House are located ...
Yurak Apart Hotel
Lodge Ancar Atacama

Lodge Ancar Atacama

3.5 out of 5
Pasaje Lasana 654 - Ayllu Conde Duque, Sector Punta De Diamante, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta
Stay at this 3.5-star cabin in San Pedro de Atacama. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Artisans Town and Inca House ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (27 reviews)
Great for families or groups
"Terrific stay. Great for families. Andres, the property manager is super nice and very helpful. Easier if you can speak a bit of Spanish but not necessary. The cabins are all very well equipped if you want to cook. And the whole family loved the giant St. Bernard on the property who would come out ..."

Reviewed on 3 Jan 2025

Lodge Ancar Atacama
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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