Calama serves as the gateway to Chile’s Atacama Desert. The northern mining town is roughly 1.5 hours away from the city of San Pedro de Atacama, making it an easy daytrip on a dime.
Begin with breakfast at Maracaibo Cafe for a quick coffee and pastry for less than $6. Next, head just north of town to take a peek at the Chuquicamata mine. The world’s largest copper mine is the cornerstone of the local economy and its sheer size will leave you in awe. Spend no more than $10 to get there and back by taxi.
Next, take a stroll along the Loa River to get an idea about local life in Calama and spend time mingling with locals. For lunch, check out Rustico for great Chilean cuisine less than $10. Most of the city’s attractions are actually outside of town so get ready to hop in a car.
Seek out Laguna Colorada to witness a magnificent red lake teeming with rare flamingos. From there, drive to Árbol de Piedra. This landmark is nicknamed the Stone Tree for its unique shape that stands starkly against the flat desert landscape. Finally, you’ll want to make your way south of the city by about an hour to Valley of the Moon. This breathtaking region is a blast of vibrant colors, cliffs, canyons and more that are reminiscent of the moon. If you stay until nightfall you’ll be treated to some truly amazing stargazing. While entrance to each of these is free, you can expect to drop roughly $60 for cab fare or gas if you get a rental.
Finally, return to the city for a quick dinner at Patagonia Restaurant for a meal less than $15.
Read This Next
Under $100: Burlington, Vermont
Under $100 / North America
Jun 14, 2022#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedTrends / Health & Wellness
Jul 25, 2024Wellness Workshops Await at The Sea Ranch Lodge
With National Wellness Month around the corner in August, The Sea Ranch Lodge in northern California offers guests a special series of wellness workshops during the first week of the month. Artist Jobi Manson and her company Sefari partner with the property on the immersive wellness offerings, incorporating nature, art and science.
Sponsored Content
Sunflower Accessibility Program Featured at O’Hare and Midway Airports
Travelers with invisible disabilities passing through O’Hare and Midway International Airports can now discreetly signal they need assistance thanks to a new Chicago Department of Aviation partnership that helps create more accessible and inclusive spaces.
Destinations / Middle East
Jul 25, 2024How to Spend 96 Hours in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Historically home to worldwide arts and music, as well as a variety of vibrant cultures, the city of Jeddah on Saudi Arabia’s coast is a destination growing in popularity among travelers. From a UNESCO World Heritage site to heritage-focused galleries to tasty restaurants, Jeddah is rich in experiences and, even more, ranks as one of the safest places among G20 nations.
Hotel
Jul 24, 2024Exclusive London Twenty Two Hotel & Members Club Makes Its Way to New York City
In 2022, The Twenty Two London opened in Mayfair, offering just more than 30 guestrooms and suites, as well as a restaurant and private members’ club. Now, the team behind the successful endeavor is bringing the concept to New York City with The Twenty Two New York, set to open in September.
Sponsored Content
Share Miles with Family and Friends with United Airlines
As you look ahead to winter travel, United Airlines and its MileagePlus loyalty program introduced MileagePlus miles pooling, which allows members to contribute and combine miles into a joint account. Groups of up to five members can now share and redeem miles in one linked account. As the first and only major U.S. airline to offer this feature, United also allows any MileagePlus member, whether relatives or close friends, to be in a pool with other members.
Hotel
Jul 24, 2024Hôtel Swexan Teams Up with O2 Dallas for National Wellness Month
Hôtel Swexan, a luxury hotel in Dallas, is set to partner with O2, a transformative wellness center recently opened just minutes away from the hotel. The collaboration comes just in time for National Wellness Month in August. Known for its state-of-the-art gym and fitness classes, Hôtel Swexan plans to raise the bar with O2’s holistic approach to wellness.
ShareThis