FAQ

A stay at the hotel is generously all-inclusive of all dining including breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, open bar with house wines and spirits (a cellarmasters list is available at an additional cost), two half day excursions or one full day excursion daily with other guests, use of heated indoor and outdoor pools, hydro-massage, hot tub and steam room and return transfers from Calama Airport.

Airfares are not included.

Two half day excursions or one full day excursion daily, in small groups with other guests.

Guests are encouraged to study the giant, hand-painted wall map at the hotel and locate the landmarks and areas they want to visit during their stay. Our expert guides ascertain each guest’s physical activity level and personal interests to build a bespoke itinerary to suit. Touring may also be arranged on a private basis for an additional charge, subject to availability.

All our excursions are subject to weather conditions, availability depending on local regulations regarding the entrance policies established by the Indigenous communities in charge of the protected areas.

Guided Excursions & Duration
Vallecito – Half Day
The Salar de Atacama – Half Day
Ancient wonders – Half Day
Cejar Lagoon – Half Day
Guatin Gatchi Valley – Half Day
Quebrada del Diablo – Half Day
Bike Riding – Half Day
Horseback Riding – Half Day
Tatio Geysers – Full Day
Purilactis Valley – Full Day
Piedras Rojas Lagoon – Full Day
Cerro Toco Volcano – Full Day

We offer a full day hike of the Cerro Toco Volcano. It’s important to note climbing hills and volcanoes in the Atacama is considered to be highly challenging. While ascents can never be guaranteed, it is imperative that a guest spend a minimum of five nights to acclimatise properly, both to the altitude and extreme desert conditions, before attempting an ascent. Climbers must be of legal age and their dress must be appropriate: trekking/hiking boots (not tennis shoes), long underwear, a long-sleeve dry-fit shirt, windbreaker pants, a fleece jacket, a windbreaker jacket or heavy coat, mountain gloves, a mountain hat and a buff or bandana. Based on the physical conditions of each guest, and for their own safety, we reserve the right to prohibit high-altitude excursions.

Complimentary wifi access is available throughout the hotel (limited bandwidth).

The hotel offers complimentary shared transfers scheduled at specific times from Calama Airport to  Tierra Atacama, taking around one hour.

Check-in time is 3pm and check-out time is 11am. Where possible, flexibility with early check-in and late check-out will be provided, however, these are unable to be guaranteed. The facilities of the main hotel are available for enjoyment whilst at the property.

The hotel has a no-smoking policy in all suites and shared common areas. Smoking is allowed in designated outdoor areas. Please ask our staff for guidance on these areas.

Tierra Atacama welcomes children ten years and over.

A 30% deposit is required within 7 days of booking. The balance is required to be paid in full 30 days prior to arrival. All international payments are processed via Paypal. Settlement is also accepted by international bank transfer; please advise Tierra Hotels once paid to ensure receipt.

As Tierra Atacama is situated in a remote destination, we have a strict cancellation policy. We strongly recommend guests have a travel insurance policy covering medical care and cancellation due to any reason.

Cancellations made 91 days or more prior to arrival will be charged an administration fee of USD $150. Cancellations within 90 days prior to arrival will incur a cancellation fee of 20% of the booking total. Cancellations within 60 days prior to arrival will incur a cancellation fee of 30% of the booking total. Cancellations within 30 days prior to arrival will incur a fee of 100% of the booking total.

Tierra Atacama is situated on the edge of San Pedro de Atacama, a small village in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. LATAM, Jetsmart and SKY operate regular daily two-hour flights between Santiago and Calama. The hotel offers complimentary road transfers from Calama Airport to the lodge, taking around one hour.

Though transfers from the local airport are part of our all-inclusive program, self-driving to Tierra Atacama is possible, and we do have onsite and nearby parking available for your convenience.

The easygoing atmosphere at Tierra Atacama encourages comfortable casual attire. We recommend hiking shoes, comfortable casual attire, and layered warm clothing for the cooler nights. Don’t forget a hat and sunscreen year-round and a bathing suit.

Chile’s Atacama Desert offers a climate of stark contrasts. Days are hot under the intense sun, yet as night descends, the desert’s temperature plunges dramatically, occasionally touching freezing in winter. Rainfall is exceptionally rare, solidifying its place as one of Earth’s driest spots. The high altitude at 2,400 meters (7,900 feet) further influences its climate, resulting in remarkably clear skies.

Some may be surprised at the incredible array of life to be found in the Atacama Desert. It showcases a remarkable diversity of life thriving in its extreme climate and rugged terrain. Our knowledgeable guides will lead you to discover various animal and bird species, including three different species of flamingo. Among the desert’s mammals, you’ll encounter llamas, vicuñas, and vizcachas.

The Atacama’s vegetation is equally impressive, with an array of trees and plants such as algarrobos, chañar, and schinus molle. The towering Giant cactus lives up to its name. The desert also boasts shrubs and bushes in various forms and sizes, including the native rica rica bush, prized for its flavourful and medicinal herbal tea, a local specialty.

The official currency of Chile is the Chilean Peso (CLP).

The Atacama Desert follows the same time zone as Chilean Standard Time (GMT-4), which is the most common time zone for much of the population living in continental Chile. However, due to daylight saving time adjustments, the time changes during summer to GMT-3 time zone.

Spanish is the official language of Chile, however most staff at Tierra Atacama speak both English and Spanish. Some staff speak Portuguese, and some guides are also fluent in German and French.

Mains voltage in Chile is 220V 50Hz. There are two plug types in Chile, types C and L.

Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and type L is the plug which has three round pins We use electric plug type L in our accommodations, which is also compatible with plug type C.

As the hotel thrives on a convivial atmosphere, in-suite dining isn’t offered.

As Tierra Atacama is situated in a remote destination, it’s essential to advise any special dietary needs at the time of reservation. We will do our best to tailor menus accordingly whilst providing opportunity to enjoy a diverse range of premium regional produce. Should notice not be provided in advance, our chefs will endeavour to prepare suitable meals with the ingredients available. We regret we are unable to prepare meals requiring strict religious observance in the preparation.

What hours are meals usually served?
The restaurant is open as follows:
Breakfast      7am – 10am
Lunch           1pm – 3pm
Dinner          7pm – 10pm

Tierra Atacama is an intimate hotel with a focus on personal service ensuring an exceptional experience for our guests. As such, hotel facilities including the restaurant and spa are reserved for the exclusive use of in-house guests.

To contact our reservation team, please call +562 6469 0518.

Yes, laundry service is available.

There is no gym at Tierra Atacama – just nature’s gym! We have spaces available in our spa with equipment such as yoga mats, Pilates balls, and bands for resistance work – however, there are no fitness machines. Yoga classes are  held either inside our wellness center or on our outdoor yoga platform. For active travellers staying a minimum of three nights we recommend a hiking excursion through the Purilactis Valley or Guatin Gatchi Valley.

Uma Spa has a heated indoor pool with hydro-massage, outdoor infinity pool, al fresco hot tub and steam room. The outdoor pool and deck offer picturesque views of lush gardens and the Licancabur volcano on the horizon.

Our wellness space includes relaxation and yoga spaces inside and out, and spa treatments and therapies use all-natural ingredients. Take your pick from an extensive list of facials, massages, body wraps, scrubs and alternative therapies, designed to open up your ‘prana’, or ‘life force’, promoting positive thoughts and wellbeing (massages, therapies and spa treatments are paid locally).

Additionally, you can enhance your Atacama adventure by pairing it with a tailored spa treatment. Our experts have curated combinations to complement each excursion. After exploring Vallecito, return for a Reiki & Crystal Massage to restore energy balance. Or opt for the Saddle & Soak, soothing tired muscles in our hot tub after a day on horseback.

Though there are no trails directly accessible from Tierra Atacama, we advise heading into the town of San Pedro. On this 15-minute walk, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported back in time. Be sure to pick up some locally handcrafted souvenirs while you are here – keep an eye out for genuine alpaca wool sweaters and copper jewellery. The town is an interesting destination to explore in its own right too. There’s a range of restaurants, and a historic church, as well as streets shaded by gnarled desert trees and lined with hand-made fences. San Pedro de Atacama has been the home of Atacameños for millennia, with a rich anthropological history dating back as far as 10,000 years ago.

Walks in the national parks not included in the hotel’s signature tours can be arranged at an additional cost on a guided or self-guided basis. We recommend pre-booking to ensure availability.

Language guides can be arranged to accompany guests on scheduled shared touring. This is also an option on private tours. Advance bookings are recommended and additional costs apply.

Though transfers from the local airport are part of our all-inclusive program, self-driving to Tierra Atacama is possible, and we do have onsite and nearby parking available for your convenience.

We welcome guests who need accessible facilities, and the hotel is generally easy to navigate. Several rooms are designed for people with disabilities, and although some activities are restricted there are plenty of alternative options. Please note that we don’t have any vehicles that are adapted for accessibility.