Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Backpacker's Home Atacama
Budget guesthouse in San Pedro de Atacama with shaded courtyard and stargazing terrace. Simple rooms with en-suite bathrooms available, communal kitchen, and excellent access to tour operators for Valle de la Luna and Laguna Cejar.
Backpacker's Home Atacama is a budget guesthouse located on Domingo Atienza, one of San Pedro de Atacama's main pedestrian thoroughfares in northern Chile's Antofagasta Region. The property sits at approximately 2,440 metres above sea level in the heart of this desert oasis village, placing guests within easy walking distance of the central plaza, restaurants, and local tour operators. The Atacama Desert—widely regarded as the driest non-polar desert on Earth—begins at the town's edges, providing direct access to iconic landscapes including Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), Laguna Cejar, El Tatio geysers, and the vast Salar de Atacama salt flat.
The guesthouse occupies a modest single-storey structure in the adobe and whitewash style typical of San Pedro de Atacama's vernacular architecture. A shaded central courtyard provides a social gathering point for travellers, and a dedicated rooftop terrace takes advantage of the Atacama's exceptionally clear night skies—the region hosts several major international astronomical observatories and is one of the world's premier destinations for stargazing.
Accommodation includes dormitory bunks and private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, all simply furnished for the budget traveller. A fully equipped communal kitchen allows self-catering, a practical cost advantage in a village where restaurant prices have risen with tourism growth. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, along with luggage storage for guests departing on overnight or multi-day expeditions.
An on-site tour-booking desk connects guests directly with local operators offering dawn visits to El Tatio geysers, sandboarding sessions in Valle de la Luna, sunset swims at Laguna Cejar, and routes into the high-altitude salt flats and flamingo-inhabited lakes of the Atacama Puna. Staff can also advise on cross-border transport to Uyuni in Bolivia and Paso Jama on the Argentine frontier.
Service is informal and oriented towards independent travellers rather than package tourists. The combination of a central Domingo Atienza location, communal kitchen, and in-house tour access makes the property a practical and affordable base for extended exploration of one of South America's most-visited desert destinations.
Amenities
- courtyard
- communal kitchen
- WiFi
- stargazing terrace
- tour booking
- luggage storage
Visit / Book / Contact
- Phone: +56 55 285 1368
Location
Domingo Atienza 462, San Pedro de Atacama
-22.9118, -68.1997 — View on map
Highlights
- Prime location on Domingo Atienza, steps from San Pedro de Atacama's central plaza and local tour operator row
- Rooftop stargazing terrace beneath the Atacama's famed clear skies, one of the world's best night-sky destinations
- On-site tour desk for direct bookings to Valle de la Luna, El Tatio geysers, and Salar de Atacama day trips
- Communal kitchen and budget-friendly rates make it an economical base for multi-day desert exploration
Tips
- Book El Tatio geyser excursions the evening before—tours depart around 04:00 and require pre-arranged transport the hostel desk can organise
- Pack warm layers for evenings and nights; at 2,440 m San Pedro de Atacama turns cold after sunset even in midsummer
- Allow 24 hours to acclimatise on arrival—altitude sickness is common at this elevation; rest, hydrate, and avoid alcohol on the first night
- The communal kitchen is busiest at dinner time; shopping at the local market on Caracoles and cooking mid-afternoon avoids congestion
- Laguna Cejar charges a separate entrance fee (around CLP 10,000) not included in most tour packages—confirm costs before booking
FAQ
Is the hostel within walking distance of the bus terminal?
San Pedro de Atacama's main bus terminal is roughly 500 metres from Domingo Atienza. Most inter-city buses from Calama or Antofagasta stop there, making the walk to the hostel manageable with a backpack.
Are private rooms available, or only dormitories?
Both dormitory beds and private en-suite rooms are available. Private room numbers are limited, so advance booking is recommended during the high season from November to March.
How far is the hostel from Calama Airport?
Calama Airport (CJC) is approximately 100 km from San Pedro de Atacama. Shared minibus transfers and collective taxis cover the route regularly; the hostel tour desk can assist in arranging the connection.
Is the rooftop terrace available to all guests?
The stargazing terrace is a communal area open to all registered guests. Organised stargazing tours to professional observatories near San Pedro are also bookable through the on-site tour desk.
Accessibility
The guesthouse is a single-storey property with ground-level courtyard and communal kitchen access; some room thresholds may have low steps. Guests with specific wheelchair or mobility requirements are advised to contact the property directly to confirm suitable room availability.