Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
La Casa de Don Tomás
Cozy guesthouse in San Pedro de Atacama with gardens and swimming pool. Traditional adobe architecture, comfortable rooms, and helpful staff arranging desert tours. Quiet location near town center.
La Casa de Don Tomás is a well-established mid-range guesthouse at Tocopilla 427 in San Pedro de Atacama, the main village of the Atacama Desert in Chile's Antofagasta region, approximately 1,670 kilometres north of Santiago at an altitude of 2,400 metres above sea level. The property sits one block from the village's central plaza and pedestrian core, placing guests within easy reach of San Pedro's restaurants, tour agencies, artisan markets, and the Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum, which holds one of South America's most significant collections of pre-Columbian Atacameño artefacts.
The guesthouse is built in the traditional adobe construction style of the Atacama region—thick mud-brick walls that provide natural insulation against the desert heat of midday and the sharp cold of high-altitude desert nights. Low-slung rooflines and a series of interconnecting garden courtyards maintain a vernacular character that harmonises with San Pedro's historic townscape. Bougainvillea and native desert plants are cultivated throughout the garden, and a central swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers provides a welcome retreat during the hottest afternoon hours.
Room categories include standard doubles and twins, superior rooms, and bungalow-style units, all featuring traditional textiles, terracotta tile floors, and private bathrooms. Air conditioning is available in most rooms. A full breakfast is included in the room rate and is served each morning in the garden or on the covered dining terrace.
The on-site tour desk maintains relationships with local adventure operators and offers guidance on excursions to the Valle de la Luna, the El Tatio geysers, the Salar de Atacama, and multi-day Altiplano treks. Given San Pedro's many tour operators of varying quality, the in-house desk serves as a reliable starting point for activity planning. Free WiFi and private parking complete the amenities for a comfortable desert base.
Amenities
- pool
- garden
- breakfast included
- tour desk
- WiFi
- parking
Visit / Book / Contact
- Phone: +56 55 285 1055
Location
Tocopilla 427, San Pedro de Atacama
-22.9089, -68.2011 — View on map
Highlights
- Traditional adobe architecture with garden courtyards and swimming pool in San Pedro de Atacama
- One block from the village plaza and the Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum
- Breakfast included and in-house tour desk for Atacama excursions including El Tatio geysers
- Thick mud-brick walls providing natural insulation against desert heat and cold nights
Tips
- Arrive before midday to access the pool at the hottest part of the day; the high-altitude desert sun is intense even in winter.
- Book El Tatio geyser excursions the evening before to secure a place on early-morning departure vehicles.
- San Pedro de Atacama sits at 2,400 m altitude; allow a full day for acclimatisation before undertaking the El Tatio or Altiplano tours, which are at higher elevations still.
- The Le Paige Archaeological Museum one block away is significantly undervisited relative to its content—allow at least two hours.
FAQ
Is breakfast included in the room rate?
Yes, a daily breakfast is included for all guests and is served in the garden or covered dining terrace each morning, featuring fresh bread, local fruit, eggs, and beverages.
Does the guesthouse have a swimming pool?
Yes, La Casa de Don Tomás has a central swimming pool in the garden area, particularly valued by guests during the hottest midday and afternoon hours. The pool is for the exclusive use of hotel guests.
Can the hotel arrange tours to the Atacama's main attractions?
The on-site tour desk works with a selection of local operators and can help guests book excursions to El Tatio geysers, Valle de la Luna, Salar de Atacama, and the Altiplano lagoons. Booking through the desk is recommended as it provides quality assurance compared to choosing operators independently from the street.
Accessibility
La Casa de Don Tomás is a single-storey adobe property with level access between most areas via garden paths. The grounds include some gravel surfaces between courtyards. The property does not have a lift. Guests with mobility requirements should enquire directly about the most suitable room options prior to booking.